THE European Union through Care International and Oxfam Great Britain and five Ghanaian non–governmental organisations is implementing a Food and Agricultural Recovery Management Programme in selected vulnerable communities affected by the 2007 and 2008 floods in the three northern regions.
Known as FARM PLUS, the programme is being implemented in the Jirapa, Nadowli and Lawra districts in the Upper West Region, Garu–Tempane District (Upper East) and East Mamprusi District (Northern Region).
The objective of the programme is to contribute to the fight against poverty by ensuring access to food for all and increased social protection, particularly those affected by food price hikes in northern Ghana with the expected immediate output being improving communities access to food, seed and agricultural inputs, among others.
Beneficiaries of the programme will provide labour for work to be undertaken within the communities in a food–for–work model. The model ensures that the beneficiaries work together to provide labour for the construction of household storage structures, animal pens and dug–outs for dry season garden.
As part of the activities to meet the primary objective of FARM PLUS, ProNet North, the implementing partner in the Nadowli District has organised a fair for the beneficiaries.
In an address read on behalf of the Executive Director of ProNet North, Mr Martin Dery, he said 1,800 vulnerable households drawn from 40 communities participated in the fair.
He said 635 beneficiaries from 14 communities were given food for the eight-week period they participated in community work through a voucher worth GH¢86 cash value for work done to purchase food and fertiliser.
He expressed the hope that the model would be replicated by other partners and the government to ensure that as many communities as possible would have food security in times of crises.
For his part, on official of Care International, Mr Isaac Bayor advised the beneficiaries to use the items given them to support themselves rather than selling them.
In a keynote address, the Nadowli District Chief Executive, Mr Abu Kasangbata thanked the financiers of the programme for their support and expressed the hope that it would go a long way to alleviate the suffering of the people.
Friday, July 23, 2010
Thursday, July 22, 2010
NPP MUST DEMONSTRATE LEADERSHIP QUALITIES — BIN-SALIH (PAGE 14, JULY 22, 2010)
THE Upper West regional second Vice- Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Mr Hafiz Bin-Salih, has urged the leaders and the entire membership of the party to demonstrate to Ghanaians that the NPP is ready to assume the mantle of leadership of the country come December 2012.
He has therefore called all those with grievances to pass them through the right channel and “stop washing the party’s dirty linen in public.
“We must not do anything that will erode the confidence that Ghanaians have in the party. Also the flag bearer aspirants must have confidence in the electoral process of the party since it was a similar mechanism that was used for the constituency, regional and national executives,” he added.
In an interview with the Daily Graphic in Wa, Mr Bin-Salih alleged that in the face of economic hardship that had hit most Ghanaians except those in the corridors of power, it was incumbent on the NPP to assure the good people of Ghana that it had policies which when implemented, would “see us through this difficulties”.
According to him, Ghanaians must see some seriousness and readiness in the NPP, otherwise they would not give the party the chance to rule this country.
He said the constant criticism of President Mills’ administration by former President Rawlings and the recent one by Dr Sekou Nkrumah were enough evidence that President Mills and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) were not up to the task of solving the problems of the country.
“The fact that in less than two years into the administration of President Mills, members of his own party and government have the courage to criticise him means that he is performing woefully and that the ‘better Ghana agenda’ is a mirage,” he said.
Mr Bin –Salih said that in the face of all the challenges that confronted the NDC government, Ghanaians were not going to give the privilege to govern the country to the NDC.
Touching on the number of delegates to vote on August 7, Mr Bin – Salih said a total of 5,313 people would cast their ballots that day and said things were being finalised to ensure a smooth congress.
He advised the delegates to vote according to their conscience and not allow anybody to entice them with rewards.
He has therefore called all those with grievances to pass them through the right channel and “stop washing the party’s dirty linen in public.
“We must not do anything that will erode the confidence that Ghanaians have in the party. Also the flag bearer aspirants must have confidence in the electoral process of the party since it was a similar mechanism that was used for the constituency, regional and national executives,” he added.
In an interview with the Daily Graphic in Wa, Mr Bin-Salih alleged that in the face of economic hardship that had hit most Ghanaians except those in the corridors of power, it was incumbent on the NPP to assure the good people of Ghana that it had policies which when implemented, would “see us through this difficulties”.
According to him, Ghanaians must see some seriousness and readiness in the NPP, otherwise they would not give the party the chance to rule this country.
He said the constant criticism of President Mills’ administration by former President Rawlings and the recent one by Dr Sekou Nkrumah were enough evidence that President Mills and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) were not up to the task of solving the problems of the country.
“The fact that in less than two years into the administration of President Mills, members of his own party and government have the courage to criticise him means that he is performing woefully and that the ‘better Ghana agenda’ is a mirage,” he said.
Mr Bin –Salih said that in the face of all the challenges that confronted the NDC government, Ghanaians were not going to give the privilege to govern the country to the NDC.
Touching on the number of delegates to vote on August 7, Mr Bin – Salih said a total of 5,313 people would cast their ballots that day and said things were being finalised to ensure a smooth congress.
He advised the delegates to vote according to their conscience and not allow anybody to entice them with rewards.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
PEOPLE IN POSITION OF TRUST URGED TO BE FAITHFUL (PAGE 35, JULY 15, 2010)
People in positions of trust have been urged to be faithful, truthful and sincere in their daily activities.
The Northern Ghana Diocesan Bishop of the Methodist Church, Right Reverend Emmanuel Maclord Afriyie, who made the call, bemoaned the lack of faithfulness in the world, which he said, had resulted in all kinds of behaviour.
“It is possible for people to be faithful if they allow the Spirit of the Lord to direct them,” he added.
Bishop Afriyie was delivering a sermon during the induction of Reverend Isaac Baah –Yanney as the Upper West Regional Manager of Methodist schools in Wa.
Speaking on the theme, “The reward for being faithful to Christ”, the Methodist Bishop noted that there was reward from God when one remained faithful and committed to whatever one did, saying that reward included prosperity.
“If you are a faithful person to God, He will make you more prosperous in all endeavours and it is, therefore, for you, as a person, to dedicate yourself to God to enable you to benefit from His grace,” he said.
Bishop Afriyie prayed that God would establish His Word in the hearts of His people and appoint intercessors for faithful people.
He advised Reverend Baah–Yanney to operate in transparency and pointed out that “if you are walking in faithfulness, God makes it possible to strengthen you with all power according to its glorious might”.
“We believe that you have given thought to the new responsibilities which have been entrusted upon you and that you will weigh them, apply yourself to them and ask help from God who will enable you to fulfil yourself in this calling,” he added.
The Northern Ghana Diocesan Bishop of the Methodist Church, Right Reverend Emmanuel Maclord Afriyie, who made the call, bemoaned the lack of faithfulness in the world, which he said, had resulted in all kinds of behaviour.
“It is possible for people to be faithful if they allow the Spirit of the Lord to direct them,” he added.
Bishop Afriyie was delivering a sermon during the induction of Reverend Isaac Baah –Yanney as the Upper West Regional Manager of Methodist schools in Wa.
Speaking on the theme, “The reward for being faithful to Christ”, the Methodist Bishop noted that there was reward from God when one remained faithful and committed to whatever one did, saying that reward included prosperity.
“If you are a faithful person to God, He will make you more prosperous in all endeavours and it is, therefore, for you, as a person, to dedicate yourself to God to enable you to benefit from His grace,” he said.
Bishop Afriyie prayed that God would establish His Word in the hearts of His people and appoint intercessors for faithful people.
He advised Reverend Baah–Yanney to operate in transparency and pointed out that “if you are walking in faithfulness, God makes it possible to strengthen you with all power according to its glorious might”.
“We believe that you have given thought to the new responsibilities which have been entrusted upon you and that you will weigh them, apply yourself to them and ask help from God who will enable you to fulfil yourself in this calling,” he added.
Monday, July 12, 2010
HELP FARMERS IN UPPER WEST — NPP (PAGE 13, JULY 12, 2010)
The Upper West Regional Second Vice–chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Mr Hafiz Bin-Salih, has appealed to the government to come to the aid of farmers in the region by providing them with fertilisers.
He said the lack of fertilisers in the region was hampering the efforts of farmers, thereby contributing to their precarious situation.
“Currently farmers have prepared their lands for the season but the shortage of the products is compounding the problem of our people”, he added.
Mr Bin–Salih made the call in an interaction with the Daily Graphic in Wa, the capital of the Upper West Region.
According to him, middlemen had already taken advantage of the situation by selling the fertiliser at exorbitant prices to farmers and, therefore, suggested to government to either revert to the chit system which was introduced by the New Patriotic Party government under ex – President J. A. Kufuor, or introduce a more efficient means of ensuring that fertilisers and other farm inputs go directly to the farmers.
He said in the absence of this, there would be very poor yields which would affect the already impoverished people of the region.
“Government should also make good its promise of ensuring the implementation of the block farming by making tractors available for the use of beneficiaries,” he said.
Mr Bin–Salih called on the government to increase the salaries of workers to enable them to increase productivity and ensure the rapid development of the country.
He was of the view that the inability of the government to solve these problems and others would be an indication that the government was bereft of ideas, adding that “the government had already shown signs of its inability to solve the numerous problems confronting Ghanaians.
He said Ghanaians should ensure that the NPP came back to power to continue the good policies which were introduced by ex –President Kufuor but were being destroyed by the NDC.
He said the lack of fertilisers in the region was hampering the efforts of farmers, thereby contributing to their precarious situation.
“Currently farmers have prepared their lands for the season but the shortage of the products is compounding the problem of our people”, he added.
Mr Bin–Salih made the call in an interaction with the Daily Graphic in Wa, the capital of the Upper West Region.
According to him, middlemen had already taken advantage of the situation by selling the fertiliser at exorbitant prices to farmers and, therefore, suggested to government to either revert to the chit system which was introduced by the New Patriotic Party government under ex – President J. A. Kufuor, or introduce a more efficient means of ensuring that fertilisers and other farm inputs go directly to the farmers.
He said in the absence of this, there would be very poor yields which would affect the already impoverished people of the region.
“Government should also make good its promise of ensuring the implementation of the block farming by making tractors available for the use of beneficiaries,” he said.
Mr Bin–Salih called on the government to increase the salaries of workers to enable them to increase productivity and ensure the rapid development of the country.
He was of the view that the inability of the government to solve these problems and others would be an indication that the government was bereft of ideas, adding that “the government had already shown signs of its inability to solve the numerous problems confronting Ghanaians.
He said Ghanaians should ensure that the NPP came back to power to continue the good policies which were introduced by ex –President Kufuor but were being destroyed by the NDC.
Friday, July 9, 2010
UW NDC GRAATEFUL TO PRESIDENT ATTA MILLS (PAGE 13, JULY 9, 2010)
THE Upper West regional branch of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has expressed its appreciation to President John Evans Atta Mills for nominating Alhaji Issahaku Salia, a former Member of Parliament for Wa East, as the substantive regional minister.
“We the people of Upper West will always say thank you. Indeed, you have demonstrated that we have a special place in your heart for the people of the Upper West. You always respond positively to our plea,” it added.
In a statement signed by the Regional Secretary of the party, Mr Eric Dakurah, the party said it was proud to indicate that the President had never “denied us our due share when it comes to development and appointment, for which we are grateful”.
The statement used the opportunity to commend the leadership of the National Democratic Congress for its foresight, support and encouragement to support the President and his team to deliver the Better Ghana Agenda which the party had promised Ghanaians.
It commended the Northern Regional Minister, Mr Moses Magbenba, who was also acting as the Upper West Regional Minister, for his courage, inspiration and sense of direction which was geared towards unifying the party, and said it was against this backdrop that the party in the region would continue to work hard to consolidate the foundation laid by former ministers of the region.
“The Youth Wing, Women’s Wing and all other special constituencies in the region wish to also pledge our support and co-operation for you to develop the region for us. Consultation, recognition and participation is the way forward to lead the region towards its development,” it said.
The statement said the party in the region had set targets and therefore needed to work effectively to reclaim all lost seats in the 2012 general election.
It would be recalled that in May this year, President Mills sacked the Upper West Regional Minister, Mr Mahmoud Khalid, following agitation from members of the party.
“We the people of Upper West will always say thank you. Indeed, you have demonstrated that we have a special place in your heart for the people of the Upper West. You always respond positively to our plea,” it added.
In a statement signed by the Regional Secretary of the party, Mr Eric Dakurah, the party said it was proud to indicate that the President had never “denied us our due share when it comes to development and appointment, for which we are grateful”.
The statement used the opportunity to commend the leadership of the National Democratic Congress for its foresight, support and encouragement to support the President and his team to deliver the Better Ghana Agenda which the party had promised Ghanaians.
It commended the Northern Regional Minister, Mr Moses Magbenba, who was also acting as the Upper West Regional Minister, for his courage, inspiration and sense of direction which was geared towards unifying the party, and said it was against this backdrop that the party in the region would continue to work hard to consolidate the foundation laid by former ministers of the region.
“The Youth Wing, Women’s Wing and all other special constituencies in the region wish to also pledge our support and co-operation for you to develop the region for us. Consultation, recognition and participation is the way forward to lead the region towards its development,” it said.
The statement said the party in the region had set targets and therefore needed to work effectively to reclaim all lost seats in the 2012 general election.
It would be recalled that in May this year, President Mills sacked the Upper West Regional Minister, Mr Mahmoud Khalid, following agitation from members of the party.
Thursday, July 1, 2010
UPPER WEST POLICE COMMAND TO GET TOUGH (PAGE 22, JULY 1, 2010)
THE Upper West Regional Police Command is embarking on an exercise to arrest and prosecute road traffic offenders following the increasing spate of indiscipline on roads, especially within the Wa municipality.
The move comes in the wake of recent road accidents leading to a number of fatalities, as well as the use of both registered and unregistered motorbikes to commit crime in the municipality.
A press release signed by the Regional Police Commander, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Mr Roy Amuni, said records showed that criminals had resorted to the use of unregistered motorbikes as quick means of transport to commit various forms of robberies and violent crimes during the first quarter of the year.
“The command has observed that road users, especially drivers and riders commute without the use of appropriate road safety measures under the Road Traffic Act, 2004, Act 683”, it added.
The release said in view of this, the command in collaboration with the Regional Road Safety Committee and the DVLA would embark on a massive road enforcement involving the examination of registration numbers, road worthiness, licenses, insurance certificates, among others.
The command, therefore, appealed to the general public to co-operate with the police to forestall any clash.
Meanwhile, a number of people have expressed concern on the way riders of motorbikes behave, especially anytime Ghana wins a match in the ongoing FIFA World Cup.
They have, therefore, called on the police command to station their men on some of the major roads to avoid any mishaps on Friday should Ghana win against Uruguay in their quarter final match.
The move comes in the wake of recent road accidents leading to a number of fatalities, as well as the use of both registered and unregistered motorbikes to commit crime in the municipality.
A press release signed by the Regional Police Commander, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Mr Roy Amuni, said records showed that criminals had resorted to the use of unregistered motorbikes as quick means of transport to commit various forms of robberies and violent crimes during the first quarter of the year.
“The command has observed that road users, especially drivers and riders commute without the use of appropriate road safety measures under the Road Traffic Act, 2004, Act 683”, it added.
The release said in view of this, the command in collaboration with the Regional Road Safety Committee and the DVLA would embark on a massive road enforcement involving the examination of registration numbers, road worthiness, licenses, insurance certificates, among others.
The command, therefore, appealed to the general public to co-operate with the police to forestall any clash.
Meanwhile, a number of people have expressed concern on the way riders of motorbikes behave, especially anytime Ghana wins a match in the ongoing FIFA World Cup.
They have, therefore, called on the police command to station their men on some of the major roads to avoid any mishaps on Friday should Ghana win against Uruguay in their quarter final match.
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