Two Ghanaians who recently completed The Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm, Sweden, have been awarded 10,000 Kronor for their Masters’ thesis.
The two who are the first foreigners to have won the award are Miss Lily Naah and Mr IIyas B. Alhassan.
Their topic was on “Alternative Bus Rapid Transit Operational. The Microsimulation Approach: The case study of Accra”.
A citation accompanying the award said the two had in their study used the microsimulation programme and alternatively designed Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) and its effects on traffic.
“They have, for example, identified critical points with big delays for the BRT and effects of bigger buses and alternative frequencies,” it added.
The citation observed that in spite of considerable difficulties in finding data for the model, the Ghanaians had shown that the model can deliver valuable data for the design of BRT systems and could be used even in developing countries.
Mr Alhassan, who is a lecturer at the Wa Polytechnic, explained to the Daily Graphic that the BRT is a type of public transport which was fast growing in the world and in developing countries due to its relatively low cost and high capacity.
He said the system was being operated in Curitiba in Brazil and Bogota, Columbia and other countries.
He thanked the Royal Institute of Technology for the recognition and said the award would spur them on to achieve greater and higher academic excellence.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
AZUMAH GOLD RESOURCE URGED TO NORMALSE OPERATIONS (PAGE 46, JUNE 30, 2010)
Azumah Gold Resources, an Australian mining firm prospecting for gold in three districts of the Upper West Region has been accused of entering the three districts without the knowledge of the district assemblies and key stakeholders in the districts.
Participants at a workshop organised by the Centre for Indigenous Knowledge and Organisational Development (CIKOD), a non-governmental organisation, described the action of the company as shameful, disgraceful and an affront to the dignity of the people in the region, particularly, those in the Nadowli, Lawra and Jirapa districts where the bulk of the activities were concentrated.
The participants, therefore, called on the company to do the right thing as their operations were creating tension and disunity among the people.
They said the activities of the company had resulted in most farmers abandoning their farms because of the numerous excavations which were posing threats to their lives.
“Azumah should, as a matter of urgency, do a proper community entry into all communities through the district assemblies, chiefs, opinion leaders and other stakeholders and possibly through a forum but not on individual basis”, a communiqué issued after the workshop said.
It said the affected districts would meet in Jirapa on July 13, 2010 to study the scooping reports of Azumah which were prepared without the consultation of district assemblies and stakeholders such as the NADMO, the Ghana Health Service, Police, among others to strategies on how to engage Azumah.
“Until then, we strongly recommend that the Environmental Protection Agency, the Minerals Commission and other mining sector agencies including stakeholders of the Azumah Resources should freeze or suspend all transactions and to allow the affected districts and communities put in pragmatic measures that would facilitate a win- win situation for the environment, the communities and the company”, the communiqué added.
It said a public hearing must be organised to give stakeholders and affected communities the opportunity to speak for themselves at public hearings or through representatives or experienced resource persons.
The communiqué commended CIKOD and urged it to continue to play a lead role by ensuring good environmental and natural resource governance in the Upper West Region.
Presenting the findings of a study conducted on the communities perception of the impact of mining on their well-being, a lecturer of the faculty for Integrated Development Studies of the University for Development Studies, Mr Haruna Issahaque, said most of the people were of the view that mining would lead to a decline in food production and export, while about 90.1 per cent of the respondents said arable lands would also reduce.
He said the expectation of the people among others included, the improvement in road network, creation of jobs and adequate educational facilities.
A Director at the Upper West Regional Co-ordinating Council, Alhaji Tamimu Zaid, expressed happiness that the region was endowed with gold deposits but observed that it also had its challenges which must be tackled.
He, therefore, called on the district assemblies and the communities to come out clearly and involve themselves in the process before full-scale mining started.
He described the workshop as timely since it would enable the communities know how mining would affect them.
Participants at a workshop organised by the Centre for Indigenous Knowledge and Organisational Development (CIKOD), a non-governmental organisation, described the action of the company as shameful, disgraceful and an affront to the dignity of the people in the region, particularly, those in the Nadowli, Lawra and Jirapa districts where the bulk of the activities were concentrated.
The participants, therefore, called on the company to do the right thing as their operations were creating tension and disunity among the people.
They said the activities of the company had resulted in most farmers abandoning their farms because of the numerous excavations which were posing threats to their lives.
“Azumah should, as a matter of urgency, do a proper community entry into all communities through the district assemblies, chiefs, opinion leaders and other stakeholders and possibly through a forum but not on individual basis”, a communiqué issued after the workshop said.
It said the affected districts would meet in Jirapa on July 13, 2010 to study the scooping reports of Azumah which were prepared without the consultation of district assemblies and stakeholders such as the NADMO, the Ghana Health Service, Police, among others to strategies on how to engage Azumah.
“Until then, we strongly recommend that the Environmental Protection Agency, the Minerals Commission and other mining sector agencies including stakeholders of the Azumah Resources should freeze or suspend all transactions and to allow the affected districts and communities put in pragmatic measures that would facilitate a win- win situation for the environment, the communities and the company”, the communiqué added.
It said a public hearing must be organised to give stakeholders and affected communities the opportunity to speak for themselves at public hearings or through representatives or experienced resource persons.
The communiqué commended CIKOD and urged it to continue to play a lead role by ensuring good environmental and natural resource governance in the Upper West Region.
Presenting the findings of a study conducted on the communities perception of the impact of mining on their well-being, a lecturer of the faculty for Integrated Development Studies of the University for Development Studies, Mr Haruna Issahaque, said most of the people were of the view that mining would lead to a decline in food production and export, while about 90.1 per cent of the respondents said arable lands would also reduce.
He said the expectation of the people among others included, the improvement in road network, creation of jobs and adequate educational facilities.
A Director at the Upper West Regional Co-ordinating Council, Alhaji Tamimu Zaid, expressed happiness that the region was endowed with gold deposits but observed that it also had its challenges which must be tackled.
He, therefore, called on the district assemblies and the communities to come out clearly and involve themselves in the process before full-scale mining started.
He described the workshop as timely since it would enable the communities know how mining would affect them.
AZUMAH GOLD RESOURCE URGED TO NORMALSE OPERATIONS (PAGE 46, JUNE 30, 2010)
Azumah Gold Resources, an Australian mining firm prospecting for gold in three districts of the Upper West Region has been accused of entering the three districts without the knowledge of the district assemblies and key stakeholders in the districts.
Participants at a workshop organised by the Centre for Indigenous Knowledge and Organisational Development (CIKOD), a non-governmental organisation, described the action of the company as shameful, disgraceful and an affront to the dignity of the people in the region, particularly, those in the Nadowli, Lawra and Jirapa districts where the bulk of the activities were concentrated.
The participants, therefore, called on the company to do the right thing as their operations were creating tension and disunity among the people.
They said the activities of the company had resulted in most farmers abandoning their farms because of the numerous excavations which were posing threats to their lives.
“Azumah should, as a matter of urgency, do a proper community entry into all communities through the district assemblies, chiefs, opinion leaders and other stakeholders and possibly through a forum but not on individual basis”, a communiqué issued after the workshop said.
It said the affected districts would meet in Jirapa on July 13, 2010 to study the scooping reports of Azumah which were prepared without the consultation of district assemblies and stakeholders such as the NADMO, the Ghana Health Service, Police, among others to strategies on how to engage Azumah.
“Until then, we strongly recommend that the Environmental Protection Agency, the Minerals Commission and other mining sector agencies including stakeholders of the Azumah Resources should freeze or suspend all transactions and to allow the affected districts and communities put in pragmatic measures that would facilitate a win- win situation for the environment, the communities and the company”, the communiqué added.
It said a public hearing must be organised to give stakeholders and affected communities the opportunity to speak for themselves at public hearings or through representatives or experienced resource persons.
The communiqué commended CIKOD and urged it to continue to play a lead role by ensuring good environmental and natural resource governance in the Upper West Region.
Presenting the findings of a study conducted on the communities perception of the impact of mining on their well-being, a lecturer of the faculty for Integrated Development Studies of the University for Development Studies, Mr Haruna Issahaque, said most of the people were of the view that mining would lead to a decline in food production and export, while about 90.1 per cent of the respondents said arable lands would also reduce.
He said the expectation of the people among others included, the improvement in road network, creation of jobs and adequate educational facilities.
A Director at the Upper West Regional Co-ordinating Council, Alhaji Tamimu Zaid, expressed happiness that the region was endowed with gold deposits but observed that it also had its challenges which must be tackled.
He, therefore, called on the district assemblies and the communities to come out clearly and involve themselves in the process before full-scale mining started.
He described the workshop as timely since it would enable the communities know how mining would affect them.
Participants at a workshop organised by the Centre for Indigenous Knowledge and Organisational Development (CIKOD), a non-governmental organisation, described the action of the company as shameful, disgraceful and an affront to the dignity of the people in the region, particularly, those in the Nadowli, Lawra and Jirapa districts where the bulk of the activities were concentrated.
The participants, therefore, called on the company to do the right thing as their operations were creating tension and disunity among the people.
They said the activities of the company had resulted in most farmers abandoning their farms because of the numerous excavations which were posing threats to their lives.
“Azumah should, as a matter of urgency, do a proper community entry into all communities through the district assemblies, chiefs, opinion leaders and other stakeholders and possibly through a forum but not on individual basis”, a communiqué issued after the workshop said.
It said the affected districts would meet in Jirapa on July 13, 2010 to study the scooping reports of Azumah which were prepared without the consultation of district assemblies and stakeholders such as the NADMO, the Ghana Health Service, Police, among others to strategies on how to engage Azumah.
“Until then, we strongly recommend that the Environmental Protection Agency, the Minerals Commission and other mining sector agencies including stakeholders of the Azumah Resources should freeze or suspend all transactions and to allow the affected districts and communities put in pragmatic measures that would facilitate a win- win situation for the environment, the communities and the company”, the communiqué added.
It said a public hearing must be organised to give stakeholders and affected communities the opportunity to speak for themselves at public hearings or through representatives or experienced resource persons.
The communiqué commended CIKOD and urged it to continue to play a lead role by ensuring good environmental and natural resource governance in the Upper West Region.
Presenting the findings of a study conducted on the communities perception of the impact of mining on their well-being, a lecturer of the faculty for Integrated Development Studies of the University for Development Studies, Mr Haruna Issahaque, said most of the people were of the view that mining would lead to a decline in food production and export, while about 90.1 per cent of the respondents said arable lands would also reduce.
He said the expectation of the people among others included, the improvement in road network, creation of jobs and adequate educational facilities.
A Director at the Upper West Regional Co-ordinating Council, Alhaji Tamimu Zaid, expressed happiness that the region was endowed with gold deposits but observed that it also had its challenges which must be tackled.
He, therefore, called on the district assemblies and the communities to come out clearly and involve themselves in the process before full-scale mining started.
He described the workshop as timely since it would enable the communities know how mining would affect them.
AZUMAH GOLD RESOURCE URGED TO NORMALSE OPERATIONS (PAGE 46, JUNE 30, 2010)
Azumah Gold Resources, an Australian mining firm prospecting for gold in three districts of the Upper West Region has been accused of entering the three districts without the knowledge of the district assemblies and key stakeholders in the districts.
Participants at a workshop organised by the Centre for Indigenous Knowledge and Organisational Development (CIKOD), a non-governmental organisation, described the action of the company as shameful, disgraceful and an affront to the dignity of the people in the region, particularly, those in the Nadowli, Lawra and Jirapa districts where the bulk of the activities were concentrated.
The participants, therefore, called on the company to do the right thing as their operations were creating tension and disunity among the people.
They said the activities of the company had resulted in most farmers abandoning their farms because of the numerous excavations which were posing threats to their lives.
“Azumah should, as a matter of urgency, do a proper community entry into all communities through the district assemblies, chiefs, opinion leaders and other stakeholders and possibly through a forum but not on individual basis”, a communiqué issued after the workshop said.
It said the affected districts would meet in Jirapa on July 13, 2010 to study the scooping reports of Azumah which were prepared without the consultation of district assemblies and stakeholders such as the NADMO, the Ghana Health Service, Police, among others to strategies on how to engage Azumah.
“Until then, we strongly recommend that the Environmental Protection Agency, the Minerals Commission and other mining sector agencies including stakeholders of the Azumah Resources should freeze or suspend all transactions and to allow the affected districts and communities put in pragmatic measures that would facilitate a win- win situation for the environment, the communities and the company”, the communiqué added.
It said a public hearing must be organised to give stakeholders and affected communities the opportunity to speak for themselves at public hearings or through representatives or experienced resource persons.
The communiqué commended CIKOD and urged it to continue to play a lead role by ensuring good environmental and natural resource governance in the Upper West Region.
Presenting the findings of a study conducted on the communities perception of the impact of mining on their well-being, a lecturer of the faculty for Integrated Development Studies of the University for Development Studies, Mr Haruna Issahaque, said most of the people were of the view that mining would lead to a decline in food production and export, while about 90.1 per cent of the respondents said arable lands would also reduce.
He said the expectation of the people among others included, the improvement in road network, creation of jobs and adequate educational facilities.
A Director at the Upper West Regional Co-ordinating Council, Alhaji Tamimu Zaid, expressed happiness that the region was endowed with gold deposits but observed that it also had its challenges which must be tackled.
He, therefore, called on the district assemblies and the communities to come out clearly and involve themselves in the process before full-scale mining started.
He described the workshop as timely since it would enable the communities know how mining would affect them.
Participants at a workshop organised by the Centre for Indigenous Knowledge and Organisational Development (CIKOD), a non-governmental organisation, described the action of the company as shameful, disgraceful and an affront to the dignity of the people in the region, particularly, those in the Nadowli, Lawra and Jirapa districts where the bulk of the activities were concentrated.
The participants, therefore, called on the company to do the right thing as their operations were creating tension and disunity among the people.
They said the activities of the company had resulted in most farmers abandoning their farms because of the numerous excavations which were posing threats to their lives.
“Azumah should, as a matter of urgency, do a proper community entry into all communities through the district assemblies, chiefs, opinion leaders and other stakeholders and possibly through a forum but not on individual basis”, a communiqué issued after the workshop said.
It said the affected districts would meet in Jirapa on July 13, 2010 to study the scooping reports of Azumah which were prepared without the consultation of district assemblies and stakeholders such as the NADMO, the Ghana Health Service, Police, among others to strategies on how to engage Azumah.
“Until then, we strongly recommend that the Environmental Protection Agency, the Minerals Commission and other mining sector agencies including stakeholders of the Azumah Resources should freeze or suspend all transactions and to allow the affected districts and communities put in pragmatic measures that would facilitate a win- win situation for the environment, the communities and the company”, the communiqué added.
It said a public hearing must be organised to give stakeholders and affected communities the opportunity to speak for themselves at public hearings or through representatives or experienced resource persons.
The communiqué commended CIKOD and urged it to continue to play a lead role by ensuring good environmental and natural resource governance in the Upper West Region.
Presenting the findings of a study conducted on the communities perception of the impact of mining on their well-being, a lecturer of the faculty for Integrated Development Studies of the University for Development Studies, Mr Haruna Issahaque, said most of the people were of the view that mining would lead to a decline in food production and export, while about 90.1 per cent of the respondents said arable lands would also reduce.
He said the expectation of the people among others included, the improvement in road network, creation of jobs and adequate educational facilities.
A Director at the Upper West Regional Co-ordinating Council, Alhaji Tamimu Zaid, expressed happiness that the region was endowed with gold deposits but observed that it also had its challenges which must be tackled.
He, therefore, called on the district assemblies and the communities to come out clearly and involve themselves in the process before full-scale mining started.
He described the workshop as timely since it would enable the communities know how mining would affect them.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
FISSTULA PATIENTS TO HAVE FREE HEALTH INSURANCE (PAGE 42, JUNE 24, 2010)
Fistula patients in the Upper West Region are to be registered freely with the National Health Insurance Scheme under the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty programme (LEAP).
Patients in districts where LEAP is not operational will be registered among the indigent group.
This came to light during a stakeholders meeting organised by the United Nations Fund for Population Activity (UNFPA) in Wa.
The meeting was attended by health personnel, non-governmental organisations, religious bodies, among others.
Addressing the meeting, the project associate of the UNFPA, Miss Salamatu Futa, noted that obstetric fistula had both medical and social implications.
She said patients were mostly ostracised from society because they smelled of urine and at times faeces which they discharged through the female organ as a result of complications during childbirth.
She, therefore, encouraged pregnant women to take antenatal care seriously to check the position and health of their unborn babies, adding that “no woman should die or suffer a complication in the process of giving birth”.
For his part, a medical practitioner, Dr K. Fofie, said fistula was pervasive in the Upper West Region and that 42 women were awaiting surgery.
He, however, bemoaned the lack of qualified personnel to handle such cases very well.
The Regional Manager of the NHIS, Mr John Boscoe Zury, said the tariff for fistula repairs ranged from GH¢241 to GH¢275 at the district level and GH¢261 to GH¢283 at the regional hospital depending on the seriousness of the case.
Obstetric fistula is a complication arising out of severe and prolonged labour. This situation, according to health experts, arises when there is a hole in the bladder due to complications during severe labour.
Patients in districts where LEAP is not operational will be registered among the indigent group.
This came to light during a stakeholders meeting organised by the United Nations Fund for Population Activity (UNFPA) in Wa.
The meeting was attended by health personnel, non-governmental organisations, religious bodies, among others.
Addressing the meeting, the project associate of the UNFPA, Miss Salamatu Futa, noted that obstetric fistula had both medical and social implications.
She said patients were mostly ostracised from society because they smelled of urine and at times faeces which they discharged through the female organ as a result of complications during childbirth.
She, therefore, encouraged pregnant women to take antenatal care seriously to check the position and health of their unborn babies, adding that “no woman should die or suffer a complication in the process of giving birth”.
For his part, a medical practitioner, Dr K. Fofie, said fistula was pervasive in the Upper West Region and that 42 women were awaiting surgery.
He, however, bemoaned the lack of qualified personnel to handle such cases very well.
The Regional Manager of the NHIS, Mr John Boscoe Zury, said the tariff for fistula repairs ranged from GH¢241 to GH¢275 at the district level and GH¢261 to GH¢283 at the regional hospital depending on the seriousness of the case.
Obstetric fistula is a complication arising out of severe and prolonged labour. This situation, according to health experts, arises when there is a hole in the bladder due to complications during severe labour.
Thursday, June 17, 2010
PSWU COMMITTED TO SSSS — SECRETARY (PAGE 3, JUNE 16, 2010)
THE Public Services Workers Union (PSWU) has reaffirmed its support for the Single Spine Salary Structure (SSSS) and advised other public sector workers not to listen to those who are against its implementation.
Addressing a forum of public workers in Wa, the Deputy General Secretary of the PSWU, Mr Richard Ampaabeng, said organised labour and the government were committed to the process to implement the policy, since it was in the interest of all.
According to him, although there were challenges, those challenges were surmountable and appealed to workers not to allow themselves to be deceived by people who saw the SSSS as a threat.
“There is no stalemate, as the SSSS is on course. What is left is for labour and the government to look at the impact on the national economy. Nothing has changed,” he added.
Mr Ampaabeng, who is a member of the Review Committee of the SSSS, was addressing the Upper West Regional branch of the union in Wa.
He reminded the workers that the implementation of the SSSS would resolve all disparities and, therefore, the PSWU would go for it so “we need to reason well and accept this policy”.
He, however, said the recent hullabaloo about the SSSS was about the grading system which fortunately was being resolved by the Review Committee and therefore called on members of the union not to entertain fears.
He was of the belief that starting the SSSS would be difficult but the rough edges would be shaped.
Mr Ampaabeng commended members of the union for their continuous support for the executive of the PSWU and urged them to also disseminate information on the SSSS to other members.
For her part, a national trustee of the union, Madam Fati Tambro, gave an assurance that the leadership of the PSWU would continue to fight for the well-being of its members.
Addressing a forum of public workers in Wa, the Deputy General Secretary of the PSWU, Mr Richard Ampaabeng, said organised labour and the government were committed to the process to implement the policy, since it was in the interest of all.
According to him, although there were challenges, those challenges were surmountable and appealed to workers not to allow themselves to be deceived by people who saw the SSSS as a threat.
“There is no stalemate, as the SSSS is on course. What is left is for labour and the government to look at the impact on the national economy. Nothing has changed,” he added.
Mr Ampaabeng, who is a member of the Review Committee of the SSSS, was addressing the Upper West Regional branch of the union in Wa.
He reminded the workers that the implementation of the SSSS would resolve all disparities and, therefore, the PSWU would go for it so “we need to reason well and accept this policy”.
He, however, said the recent hullabaloo about the SSSS was about the grading system which fortunately was being resolved by the Review Committee and therefore called on members of the union not to entertain fears.
He was of the belief that starting the SSSS would be difficult but the rough edges would be shaped.
Mr Ampaabeng commended members of the union for their continuous support for the executive of the PSWU and urged them to also disseminate information on the SSSS to other members.
For her part, a national trustee of the union, Madam Fati Tambro, gave an assurance that the leadership of the PSWU would continue to fight for the well-being of its members.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
U/W AWAITS NEW REGIONAL MINISTER (PAGE 14, JUNE 15, 2010)
THE Upper West Region is no doubt the smallest in the country and one may expect that its governance by regional ministers would have been so easy but that is not the case.
For sometime now the region is gunning for the title of the “Region with the highest turn-over of regional ministers”. Within a period of nine years the Upper West Region has had four regional ministers.
These are Sahanoun Mogtari, Ambrose Dery, Hickah Benson (all within the eight-year rule of ex-President J.A. Kufuor) and the latest to join them was Mahmud Khalid, who spent less than one and half years in office during the present government.
The removal of Mr Khalid was as a result of infighting within his party with the regional executive on one hand and some supporters of the former regional minister on the other. Although the Northern Regional Minister, Mr Moses Mabengba, is acting now, the current situation has opened the floodgates as people are seriously lobbying to fill this void.
So far an investigation by the Daily Graphic has revealed that four names have come up as potential regional ministers for Upper West. They are Alhaji Issahaque Salia, a former Member of Parliament for Wa East, Mr Pascal Dery, a development worker, Dr Francis Dakura, the incumbent Member of Parliament for Jirapa, and Mr Caesar Kale, the Deputy Upper West Regional Minister.
Sources within the regional NDC are currently assessing the chances of these personalities and hope the best person will be nominated.
By assessing the chances of Alhaji Issahaque, the sources were of the opinion that, although he was capable of handling the region, he was not dynamic enough citing his loss of the Wa East parliamentary seat to the New Patriotic Party when the constituency was a known no-go area for the NPP.
Again they cited his humiliating defeat during the NDC primaries prior to the 2008 general election as another factor, after which he was not seen during the campaign that brought the NDC to power.
On Mr Pascal Dery, the NDC sources were of the view that on two occasions he contested to be elected as the regional representative on the Council of State and lost. He is not a known NDC member.
For Dr Francis Dakura, they argued that he was once a cadre but abandoned the ship and tried to organise the Convention People’s Party in the region against the NDC and when he realised the difficulty he decided to turn his attention towards the NDC and took advantage of the death of Edward Salia to become the member of parliament on the ticket of the NDC.
Touching on Mr Kale, they described him as a thorough bred NDC who as regional secretary had fought for the course of the party in all spheres in the region.
More so he has kept abreast of the challenges facing the region and has shown quality leadership skills which had endeared him to so many people.
“Apart from this, he enjoys the support of the rank and file of the party in the region because of his humility and is ready to listen to all and sundry. In short he is a problem solver”, a source told the Daily Graphic.
With all these arguments going round, the people of the Upper West Region are waiting for President J.E.A. Mills to give them a regional minister. They appealed to President Mills to involve the regional executive in the process in order to get what they termed “People’s Regional Minister”.
For sometime now the region is gunning for the title of the “Region with the highest turn-over of regional ministers”. Within a period of nine years the Upper West Region has had four regional ministers.
These are Sahanoun Mogtari, Ambrose Dery, Hickah Benson (all within the eight-year rule of ex-President J.A. Kufuor) and the latest to join them was Mahmud Khalid, who spent less than one and half years in office during the present government.
The removal of Mr Khalid was as a result of infighting within his party with the regional executive on one hand and some supporters of the former regional minister on the other. Although the Northern Regional Minister, Mr Moses Mabengba, is acting now, the current situation has opened the floodgates as people are seriously lobbying to fill this void.
So far an investigation by the Daily Graphic has revealed that four names have come up as potential regional ministers for Upper West. They are Alhaji Issahaque Salia, a former Member of Parliament for Wa East, Mr Pascal Dery, a development worker, Dr Francis Dakura, the incumbent Member of Parliament for Jirapa, and Mr Caesar Kale, the Deputy Upper West Regional Minister.
Sources within the regional NDC are currently assessing the chances of these personalities and hope the best person will be nominated.
By assessing the chances of Alhaji Issahaque, the sources were of the opinion that, although he was capable of handling the region, he was not dynamic enough citing his loss of the Wa East parliamentary seat to the New Patriotic Party when the constituency was a known no-go area for the NPP.
Again they cited his humiliating defeat during the NDC primaries prior to the 2008 general election as another factor, after which he was not seen during the campaign that brought the NDC to power.
On Mr Pascal Dery, the NDC sources were of the view that on two occasions he contested to be elected as the regional representative on the Council of State and lost. He is not a known NDC member.
For Dr Francis Dakura, they argued that he was once a cadre but abandoned the ship and tried to organise the Convention People’s Party in the region against the NDC and when he realised the difficulty he decided to turn his attention towards the NDC and took advantage of the death of Edward Salia to become the member of parliament on the ticket of the NDC.
Touching on Mr Kale, they described him as a thorough bred NDC who as regional secretary had fought for the course of the party in all spheres in the region.
More so he has kept abreast of the challenges facing the region and has shown quality leadership skills which had endeared him to so many people.
“Apart from this, he enjoys the support of the rank and file of the party in the region because of his humility and is ready to listen to all and sundry. In short he is a problem solver”, a source told the Daily Graphic.
With all these arguments going round, the people of the Upper West Region are waiting for President J.E.A. Mills to give them a regional minister. They appealed to President Mills to involve the regional executive in the process in order to get what they termed “People’s Regional Minister”.
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
HELP MAKE REGISTRATION EXERCISE SUCCESSFUL — EC (PAGE 14, JUNE 8, 2010)
THE Upper West regional directorate of the Electoral Commission (EC) has cautioned that the pending voters registration exercise scheduled for Friday, June 11 to Saturday June, 20, 2010, could suffer from inadequate publicity.
With the World Cup expected to dominate the period, the directorate called on all stakeholders to intensify the publicity on the registration exercise and assist in the dissemination of information.
The exercise is meant to register qualified Ghanaians who have attained the voting age of 18 years since the last registration of voters in 2008 and Ghanaians who are older but could not register in previous exercises.
Addressing a sensitisation forum in Wa, the Upper West Regional Director of the EC, Mr. Yahaya Mahama, also advised all to learn and adhere to the rules.
He said the registration would be done at designated registration centres in each electoral area throughout the region from 7am to 6pm each day of the registration period, including Saturdays and Sundays.
“Applicants for registration must appear in person at the registration centre in the electoral areas where they reside to provide information regarding their ages, house numbers, hometowns and names of their parents, living or dead”, he added.
Mr. Mahama reminded the public that it was an offence for anybody whose name was already on the voter’s register to register again.
He further said it was also an offence for a person to register or attempt to register if theyare not 18 years.
“A person who registers or attempts to register knowing that he or she does not qualify shall on summary conviction be jailed”, he warned
He advised voters who had lost their voter ID cards to report the loss to registration officers at the registration centres in the electoral area during the registration period or the district electoral officer of the commission at least a month before elections for replacement, adding that registered voters who had moved from the area where they registered would be given the opportunity to transfer their votes at the appropriate time.
Mr Mahama hoped all stakeholders would cooperate with the EC to make the exercise a success.
With the World Cup expected to dominate the period, the directorate called on all stakeholders to intensify the publicity on the registration exercise and assist in the dissemination of information.
The exercise is meant to register qualified Ghanaians who have attained the voting age of 18 years since the last registration of voters in 2008 and Ghanaians who are older but could not register in previous exercises.
Addressing a sensitisation forum in Wa, the Upper West Regional Director of the EC, Mr. Yahaya Mahama, also advised all to learn and adhere to the rules.
He said the registration would be done at designated registration centres in each electoral area throughout the region from 7am to 6pm each day of the registration period, including Saturdays and Sundays.
“Applicants for registration must appear in person at the registration centre in the electoral areas where they reside to provide information regarding their ages, house numbers, hometowns and names of their parents, living or dead”, he added.
Mr. Mahama reminded the public that it was an offence for anybody whose name was already on the voter’s register to register again.
He further said it was also an offence for a person to register or attempt to register if theyare not 18 years.
“A person who registers or attempts to register knowing that he or she does not qualify shall on summary conviction be jailed”, he warned
He advised voters who had lost their voter ID cards to report the loss to registration officers at the registration centres in the electoral area during the registration period or the district electoral officer of the commission at least a month before elections for replacement, adding that registered voters who had moved from the area where they registered would be given the opportunity to transfer their votes at the appropriate time.
Mr Mahama hoped all stakeholders would cooperate with the EC to make the exercise a success.
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