REPRESENTATIVES of civil society, the private sector and other stakeholders in the shea-nut industry have called on the government to formulate appropriate policies and mechanisms for developing natural resources of the country for national development.
They also urged the government to further enhance the call by including shea-nut in the greater interest and benefit of the people of Ghana, especially those in the shea butter producing communities.
This was contained in a communiqué adopted at the second national multi–stakeholders’ forum on shea-nut industry in Ghana .
The forum was organised by the Interim Shea Network Secretariat in Wa, with sponsorship from SNV–Netherlands and Oxfam Great Britain, all international non-governmental organisations.
According to the communiqué, in the face of challenges facing the shea -nut industry, the government should set up a shea board along the lines of Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) to spearhead the formulation of policies and laws for consideration by the government for effective and efficient governance and operations in the shea-nut sector.
“For instance, appropriate taxation of shea exports could lead to revenue mobilisation for government interventions in the sub–sector, including adequate funding for shea research and development,” it added.
The communique called for a broader and transparent consultation among the government, traditional authorities and people in the northern part of Ghana regarding the take-over of large tracts of agricultural land by multinational agricultural companies.
It said that situation affected poor people’s access to land and other resources for livelihood development, considering the fact that about 95 per cent of households depended on shea butter for sustenance.
“As part of its policy of promoting local content in industrial activities, the government should encourage the use of shea products in local cosmetic, beverage, confectionery, pharmaceutical and hospital industries,” the communiqué stressed.
The communiqué called for an intensive media involvement to highlight the performance of shea to the economy of northern Ghana through research and investigations on shea sub–sector issues, production of special documentaries to increase awareness.
In addition, it resolved to continue to use the annual platform to co-ordinate its activities and to find common ground for resolving the challenges confronting the sub–sector and thereby fully harness its potential for wealth creation and for growth, especially in northern Ghana.
The communiqué resolved to constructively engage with the government and support its efforts and that of the private sector to develop the shea value chain for the betterment of all Ghanaians, especially the poor women, who are at the heart of the industry.
Thursday, November 25, 2010
INTERIM COUNCILS OF 2 COLLEGES OF EDUCATION ...In Upper West (PAGE 42, NOV 24, 2010)
THE Upper West Regional Minister, Alhaji Issahaque Salia, has observed that colleges of education are the live-wire of the country’s educational system.
He has, therefore, suggested that the colleges must be made to function at optimal level in order to ensure that the sector lived up to expectation.
The regional minister was speaking at the inauguration of the interim councils of the N.J. Ahmaddiya and Tumu Colleges of Education at a ceremony in Wa.
He called on members of the councils to appreciate the enormity of the task ahead of them and brace themselves to move into full gear to solve problems to be encountered.
Alhaji Salia said due diligence had to be conducted to ensure that those chosen to the councils were capable people who could steer the affairs of the colleges successfully.
“Looking around, I have no doubt that we have made the right choices and can confidently look forward to the best results,” he told the council members.
According to him, the councils were even more relevant in the light of the elevation of institutions to the status of colleges of education which in itself imposed a responsibility of an enhanced delivery and the training of students who would be able to contribute meaningfully in the educational sector.
“We expected that you accept your choice to this councils as an honour to serve your people to the best of our ability, recognising the fact that you are dealing with institutions that are responsible for training teachers at the very foundation of education,” Alhaji Salia said.
He stressed the need to use the Montessori curriculum type of teaching, which stimulates self — learning and creativity at the foundation levels of the educational ladder.
Alhaji Salia assured the councils of total government support in the execution of their duties.
For his part, the Chairman of the Tumu College of Education, Professor Stephen Kendie, on behalf of the councils, gave the assurance that they would work hard to justify the confidence reposed in them.
He called for co-operation of all stakeholders in the educational sector to ensure their success in the task ahead.
The Principal of N.J. Ahmaddiya College of Education, Mr Oduro Yeboah, thanked the government for the numerous projects being undertaken in the two colleges but asked for more.
He pledged the support of the colleges to their new status and urged the government to do all in its power to ensure the passage of the Colleges of Education Bill.
He has, therefore, suggested that the colleges must be made to function at optimal level in order to ensure that the sector lived up to expectation.
The regional minister was speaking at the inauguration of the interim councils of the N.J. Ahmaddiya and Tumu Colleges of Education at a ceremony in Wa.
He called on members of the councils to appreciate the enormity of the task ahead of them and brace themselves to move into full gear to solve problems to be encountered.
Alhaji Salia said due diligence had to be conducted to ensure that those chosen to the councils were capable people who could steer the affairs of the colleges successfully.
“Looking around, I have no doubt that we have made the right choices and can confidently look forward to the best results,” he told the council members.
According to him, the councils were even more relevant in the light of the elevation of institutions to the status of colleges of education which in itself imposed a responsibility of an enhanced delivery and the training of students who would be able to contribute meaningfully in the educational sector.
“We expected that you accept your choice to this councils as an honour to serve your people to the best of our ability, recognising the fact that you are dealing with institutions that are responsible for training teachers at the very foundation of education,” Alhaji Salia said.
He stressed the need to use the Montessori curriculum type of teaching, which stimulates self — learning and creativity at the foundation levels of the educational ladder.
Alhaji Salia assured the councils of total government support in the execution of their duties.
For his part, the Chairman of the Tumu College of Education, Professor Stephen Kendie, on behalf of the councils, gave the assurance that they would work hard to justify the confidence reposed in them.
He called for co-operation of all stakeholders in the educational sector to ensure their success in the task ahead.
The Principal of N.J. Ahmaddiya College of Education, Mr Oduro Yeboah, thanked the government for the numerous projects being undertaken in the two colleges but asked for more.
He pledged the support of the colleges to their new status and urged the government to do all in its power to ensure the passage of the Colleges of Education Bill.
MOTORBIKE ACCIDENTS ON THE RISE IN WA (PAGE 42, NOV 24, 2010)
ADAMU Nwin (not a real name) was an enterprising young carpenter in the Wa Municipality whose expertise was highly patronised. Both private and public sector employees always wanted Nwin to manufacture furniture for their office or residential purposes.
Just recently, many people realised that the workshop of Nwin remained permanently closed and upon enquiries, some customers were informed that their “darling” carpenter had passed away.
He died in a motorbike accident.
In another instance, a 34-year-old friend of this writer, a security man, who married a year ago, also met his untimely death through a similar accident.
These accidents are just a tip of the iceberg. Motor cycle accidents have become so rampant in Wa that never a day passes by without accidents being recorded.
In fact, one is tempted to believe that apart from malaria, the next killer in the municipality is the motorbike.
What has compounded the problem is the influx of the large number of students of the Wa Campus of the University for Development Studies, many of who use motor cycles.
Every Tom, Dick and Harry in Wa either rides or owns a motorbike and the riding of the bikes is a source of worry to many concerned people. When lectures close at the new Bamahu campus and the students are returning to Wa, it is as frightening as the word itself.
Apart from speeding, the students try to outdo one another through unnecessary overtaking, which most often put their lives at risk, yet nobody seems to halt the phenomenon that is gradually rearing its ugly head.
Sometimes, some of the riders carry as many as three or four people, a situation which is unlawful.
Are we to wait for the situation to take a bigger dimension before action is taken? The answer is a big no because nobody knows if some of these students could become Presidents and ministers in the future.
Another problem is the failure of some of the student riders not stopping at intersections, and one therefore, has to be on the defensive when driving.
Perhaps, the most effective way to avoid not being crushed by a careless rider is to blow one’s horn to remind them to stop. There is also the issue of inexperienced riders, that is, people who do not know anything about road signs, and who are you to complain.
As if it is in vogue, parents would not hesitate to release their motorbikes to their children to ride , knowing very well that it is against the law.
As a result of the alarming situation, the National Road Safety Commission (NRSC) in the Upper West Region has mapped out strategies to reduce motorbike accidents to the barest minimum.
Paramount among the strategies is the decision of members of the commission to visit the UDS and Wa Polytechnic campuses to sensitise the students on the usage of motorbikes.
They have also decided to use the local FM radio stations, debates on road safety in second-cycle educational institutions, making use of fuel stations for distribution of posters, collaborate with the municipal assembly to arrest stray animals on the streets and stoppage of riding in the central market.
Other measures are towing of broken-down vehicles along the roads and streets, which is yet to start in the region and collaborating with the regional co-ordinating council to find ways of supporting the UDS students to reach Bamahu for lectures.
Speaking to the Daily Graphic at Wa, the Upper West Regional Manager of the NRSC, Mr Suleimana Abdul–Karim, said to stem the tide, the commission would go on air every two days to educate riders on the need to obey traffic rules.
He attributed part of the problem to illiteracy, especially among ladies, who most often did not know road signs.
“Currently, we are combining education and enforcement and as we speak now, some of those arrested are being prosecuted at the courts,” he added
Mr Abdul-Karim noted with regret that despite educating the UDS students on the availability of helmets at his office which sells at GH¢35, none of them had bothered to purchase one.
It is against this background that the police must arrest and prosecute these unlicensed riders to serve as a deterrent to others. In all humility, the police should not bow to the whims and caprices of politicians who are the first people to order them to release the offending motorbike riders.
The police must periodically conduct operations to rid the municipality of “merchants of death” just like the recent one which brought sanity on the roads.
Finally, the authorities of the Wa Campus of the UDS should inculcate responsible riding into their students rather than looking on unconcerned. After all, being in the university is not only classroom matters but outside as well.
Just recently, many people realised that the workshop of Nwin remained permanently closed and upon enquiries, some customers were informed that their “darling” carpenter had passed away.
He died in a motorbike accident.
In another instance, a 34-year-old friend of this writer, a security man, who married a year ago, also met his untimely death through a similar accident.
These accidents are just a tip of the iceberg. Motor cycle accidents have become so rampant in Wa that never a day passes by without accidents being recorded.
In fact, one is tempted to believe that apart from malaria, the next killer in the municipality is the motorbike.
What has compounded the problem is the influx of the large number of students of the Wa Campus of the University for Development Studies, many of who use motor cycles.
Every Tom, Dick and Harry in Wa either rides or owns a motorbike and the riding of the bikes is a source of worry to many concerned people. When lectures close at the new Bamahu campus and the students are returning to Wa, it is as frightening as the word itself.
Apart from speeding, the students try to outdo one another through unnecessary overtaking, which most often put their lives at risk, yet nobody seems to halt the phenomenon that is gradually rearing its ugly head.
Sometimes, some of the riders carry as many as three or four people, a situation which is unlawful.
Are we to wait for the situation to take a bigger dimension before action is taken? The answer is a big no because nobody knows if some of these students could become Presidents and ministers in the future.
Another problem is the failure of some of the student riders not stopping at intersections, and one therefore, has to be on the defensive when driving.
Perhaps, the most effective way to avoid not being crushed by a careless rider is to blow one’s horn to remind them to stop. There is also the issue of inexperienced riders, that is, people who do not know anything about road signs, and who are you to complain.
As if it is in vogue, parents would not hesitate to release their motorbikes to their children to ride , knowing very well that it is against the law.
As a result of the alarming situation, the National Road Safety Commission (NRSC) in the Upper West Region has mapped out strategies to reduce motorbike accidents to the barest minimum.
Paramount among the strategies is the decision of members of the commission to visit the UDS and Wa Polytechnic campuses to sensitise the students on the usage of motorbikes.
They have also decided to use the local FM radio stations, debates on road safety in second-cycle educational institutions, making use of fuel stations for distribution of posters, collaborate with the municipal assembly to arrest stray animals on the streets and stoppage of riding in the central market.
Other measures are towing of broken-down vehicles along the roads and streets, which is yet to start in the region and collaborating with the regional co-ordinating council to find ways of supporting the UDS students to reach Bamahu for lectures.
Speaking to the Daily Graphic at Wa, the Upper West Regional Manager of the NRSC, Mr Suleimana Abdul–Karim, said to stem the tide, the commission would go on air every two days to educate riders on the need to obey traffic rules.
He attributed part of the problem to illiteracy, especially among ladies, who most often did not know road signs.
“Currently, we are combining education and enforcement and as we speak now, some of those arrested are being prosecuted at the courts,” he added
Mr Abdul-Karim noted with regret that despite educating the UDS students on the availability of helmets at his office which sells at GH¢35, none of them had bothered to purchase one.
It is against this background that the police must arrest and prosecute these unlicensed riders to serve as a deterrent to others. In all humility, the police should not bow to the whims and caprices of politicians who are the first people to order them to release the offending motorbike riders.
The police must periodically conduct operations to rid the municipality of “merchants of death” just like the recent one which brought sanity on the roads.
Finally, the authorities of the Wa Campus of the UDS should inculcate responsible riding into their students rather than looking on unconcerned. After all, being in the university is not only classroom matters but outside as well.
Saturday, November 13, 2010
WA ASSEMBLY GETS GH¢1 MILLION FROM DDF (PAGE 13, NOV 12, 2010)
THE Wa Municipal Assembly has since 2009 received a total of GHC1,065,491.04 from the District Development Fund (DDF).
The amount has been invested in various sectors in order to accelerate the pace of development in the municipality.
The Municipal Chief Executive, Mr Yakubu Duogu, announced this at the dissolution of the assembly in Wa.
He said the assembly under the same facility received GHC 612,242.47 out of which GHC 576, 892.90 was used on capital projects while the remaining GHC 35,349.56 was used for capacity building.
He said a number of projects were being executed under the DDF and these include CHPS compound, classroom blocks and supply of furniture among others.
Mr. Duogu told the outgoing assembly members that, the revenue collected by the assembly as at August amounted to GHC 207,250.67 out of an estimated GHC 272,030 for this year.
“The prospects look good as it points to a positive direction that will enable us to achieve our target for the year,” he added
According to the MCE, the assembly was on the threshold of completing and starting new development projects as well as payment of outstanding debts following the receipt of a total of GHC 241, 212.91 from the district assembly common fund.
He said, the assembly’s development focus, especially in the medium term include the construction of more stores in the Wa central market, completion of an office complex block and the development of an industrial site for artisans.
Touching on security, Mr. Duogu noted that although there had been significant improvement in the situation there were still few reported cases of robberies in some parts of the region.
He announced that the security agencies would undertake a special national exercise with particular focus on motor traffic operations to ensure accident -free Christmas.
He therefore urged the outgoing assembly members to educate their electorate to avoid the situation of being asked to intercede for help from the police.
“Similarly, the Ghana Education Service should endeavour to obtain documents covering the motorbikes for teachers and spare them the ordeal and embarrassment they go through at the hands of the police,” he appealed.
Mr Duogu wished the assembly members who would seek re-election good luck and expressed the hope that they still support the programmes of the assembly.
The amount has been invested in various sectors in order to accelerate the pace of development in the municipality.
The Municipal Chief Executive, Mr Yakubu Duogu, announced this at the dissolution of the assembly in Wa.
He said the assembly under the same facility received GHC 612,242.47 out of which GHC 576, 892.90 was used on capital projects while the remaining GHC 35,349.56 was used for capacity building.
He said a number of projects were being executed under the DDF and these include CHPS compound, classroom blocks and supply of furniture among others.
Mr. Duogu told the outgoing assembly members that, the revenue collected by the assembly as at August amounted to GHC 207,250.67 out of an estimated GHC 272,030 for this year.
“The prospects look good as it points to a positive direction that will enable us to achieve our target for the year,” he added
According to the MCE, the assembly was on the threshold of completing and starting new development projects as well as payment of outstanding debts following the receipt of a total of GHC 241, 212.91 from the district assembly common fund.
He said, the assembly’s development focus, especially in the medium term include the construction of more stores in the Wa central market, completion of an office complex block and the development of an industrial site for artisans.
Touching on security, Mr. Duogu noted that although there had been significant improvement in the situation there were still few reported cases of robberies in some parts of the region.
He announced that the security agencies would undertake a special national exercise with particular focus on motor traffic operations to ensure accident -free Christmas.
He therefore urged the outgoing assembly members to educate their electorate to avoid the situation of being asked to intercede for help from the police.
“Similarly, the Ghana Education Service should endeavour to obtain documents covering the motorbikes for teachers and spare them the ordeal and embarrassment they go through at the hands of the police,” he appealed.
Mr Duogu wished the assembly members who would seek re-election good luck and expressed the hope that they still support the programmes of the assembly.
Saturday, November 6, 2010
REVISIT DEPENDENCE ON CHEMICAL FERTILISERS — SAYS CAESAR KALE (PAGE 42, NOV 3, 2010)
THE Deputy Upper West Regional Minister, Mr Caesar Kale, has stated that the time has come for the country to revisit the dependence on chemical fertilisers which are detrimental to natural bio-organic fertilisers.
He has, therefore, stressed the need to reinvent the wheel as the technology for large scale organic fertiliser, which is operational in India, could be adopted in the country.
According to him, that technology, apart from being environmentally friendly, would drastically reduce the cost involved in agriculture and also improve the standard of living of most Ghanaians.
Mr Kale was speaking at a farmers’ durbar organised by the Ghana Trade and Livelihood Coalition (GTLC) at Wa in the Upper West Region. The durbar was on the theme: “Smallholder farmer: Reserving the right to be more productive.”
The deputy regional minister called for adequate data base of farmers in the country to help stakeholders plan ahead of farming seasons, especially with reference to farming inputs and extension services.
He entreated farmers’ groups to register with the Ministry of Food and Agriculture to actualise all plans to ensure the timely supply of inputs to those engaged in the block farming concept as well as other farmers.
“Let me also use this platform to appeal to our dear farmers to take advantage of the new pension scheme, especially the third tier, which targets the informal sector since this will go a long way to improve your quality of lives at retirement and serve as an incentive to boost production,” he added.
Mr Kale was convinced that that suggestion, together with other interventions, would help upscale productivity in the agricultural sector and make Ghana a better place.
He said the government put a lot of premium on agriculture and would continue to take bold initiatives needed to improve the sector.
That, Mr Kale said, had been manifested in the provision of breeding animals to farmers under the Livestock Development Project (LDP), the establishment of farmers service centres to aid in the mechanisation of agriculture and the establishment of a Sheanut processing factory in Buipe in the Northern Region.
Mr Kale said the establishment of mango plantations in the Upper West Region as well as other regions were interventions captured under the agricultural component of the Savannah Accelerated Development Authority, which would assist in ensuring sustainable progress in the sector.
The National Co-ordinator of the GTLC, Mr Ibrahim Akalbilla, called for the recognition of small-scale farmers in the country.
He urged the government to ensure that policy formulation was targeted towards small scale farmers since they were the backbone of agriculture in the country.
An official of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, Mr M.Y.B. Suglo, stated that the government, in collaboration with its French counterpart, had earmarked 1,000 acres of land for rice cultivation in the Upper West Region next year.
He has, therefore, stressed the need to reinvent the wheel as the technology for large scale organic fertiliser, which is operational in India, could be adopted in the country.
According to him, that technology, apart from being environmentally friendly, would drastically reduce the cost involved in agriculture and also improve the standard of living of most Ghanaians.
Mr Kale was speaking at a farmers’ durbar organised by the Ghana Trade and Livelihood Coalition (GTLC) at Wa in the Upper West Region. The durbar was on the theme: “Smallholder farmer: Reserving the right to be more productive.”
The deputy regional minister called for adequate data base of farmers in the country to help stakeholders plan ahead of farming seasons, especially with reference to farming inputs and extension services.
He entreated farmers’ groups to register with the Ministry of Food and Agriculture to actualise all plans to ensure the timely supply of inputs to those engaged in the block farming concept as well as other farmers.
“Let me also use this platform to appeal to our dear farmers to take advantage of the new pension scheme, especially the third tier, which targets the informal sector since this will go a long way to improve your quality of lives at retirement and serve as an incentive to boost production,” he added.
Mr Kale was convinced that that suggestion, together with other interventions, would help upscale productivity in the agricultural sector and make Ghana a better place.
He said the government put a lot of premium on agriculture and would continue to take bold initiatives needed to improve the sector.
That, Mr Kale said, had been manifested in the provision of breeding animals to farmers under the Livestock Development Project (LDP), the establishment of farmers service centres to aid in the mechanisation of agriculture and the establishment of a Sheanut processing factory in Buipe in the Northern Region.
Mr Kale said the establishment of mango plantations in the Upper West Region as well as other regions were interventions captured under the agricultural component of the Savannah Accelerated Development Authority, which would assist in ensuring sustainable progress in the sector.
The National Co-ordinator of the GTLC, Mr Ibrahim Akalbilla, called for the recognition of small-scale farmers in the country.
He urged the government to ensure that policy formulation was targeted towards small scale farmers since they were the backbone of agriculture in the country.
An official of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, Mr M.Y.B. Suglo, stated that the government, in collaboration with its French counterpart, had earmarked 1,000 acres of land for rice cultivation in the Upper West Region next year.
MORNAH TO CONTEST WA CENTRAL (PAGE 12, NOV 3, 2010)
THE General Secretary of the People’s National Convention (PNC) Party, Mr Bernard Mornah, has declared his intention to contest for the Wa Central Constituency Seat in the 2012 parliamentary elections on the ticket of his party.
In 2004, Mr Mornah polled 12,280 votes as against the candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) who had around 20,000 while the New Patriotic Party had a little over 7,000. He did not contest the 2008 elections.
In an interview with the Daily Graphic after a training workshop for activists of the party in Wa, Mr Mornah said Wa Central required people with a strong voice which would receive the attention of government.
“We need somebody who would relate the concerns of the people to government for immediate and long term solution,” he added.
According to him, the erroneous impression being created that Northern Ghana was one entity was wrong, especially when issues of conflict were being discussed.
Mr Mornah noted, for example, that Wa was different from Tamale or Tumu and said some of these conflicts were as a result of poverty and unemployment, pointing out that anytime these reared their ugly heads they resulted in social vices.
“We need someone to champion these so that the problem of our people would not be compounded and that person is Bernard Mornah,” he said.
Touching on allegations that he was from the Nadowli district and so should go and contest in that area, the PNC General Secretary said the laws of Ghana state that when you are a citizen you can live everywhere without any inhibition.
He said it was that law that made Dr Kwame Nkrumah contest and win the Accra Central seat on the ticket of the Convention People’s Party (CPP) although he hailed from Nkroful in the Western Region, adding that “as long as the constitution of Ghana is concerned, I can contest in any constituency.”
“I can contest in Nadowli West by parentage and Wa Central by birth. The decision to contest in Wa Central is because I was born, bred and schooled in Wa and I have lived all my life in Wa, so if anybody says I should not contest for the Wa Central seat then our constitution should be amended,” he said
He said his entry into the race had sent shivers down the spines of people and that no amount of smear campaign would discourage him from realising his dream since he cut across all boundaries.
Mr Mornah said when the time came, his message would be on hope and what he could deliver rather than play the ethnic card.
On the unity talks between the CPP and the PNC, Mr Mornah described it as tortuous as there had not been any formal meeting between the two parties.
He said what was happening was only individual views “so we should come to the table to discuss what will unite us than taking entrenched positions.”
He said the New Patriotic Party (NPP) had not forgotten its ancestry as it had evolved from various stages starting with United Gold Coast Convention, Progress Party, and Popular Front Party to the present stage.
“For the Nkrumaist, we moved from Convention People’s Party, National Alliance of Liberals, People’s National Party and the People’s National Convention, so we can congregate at a point using a name which is neither the CPP nor PNC symbol, but a name that binds us as Nkrumaist. When that is done every Nkrumaist will come on board,” Mr Mornah said.
He said the ideals of Dr Nkrumah would never be achieved if Nkrumaists did not come together under the same umbrella.
In 2004, Mr Mornah polled 12,280 votes as against the candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) who had around 20,000 while the New Patriotic Party had a little over 7,000. He did not contest the 2008 elections.
In an interview with the Daily Graphic after a training workshop for activists of the party in Wa, Mr Mornah said Wa Central required people with a strong voice which would receive the attention of government.
“We need somebody who would relate the concerns of the people to government for immediate and long term solution,” he added.
According to him, the erroneous impression being created that Northern Ghana was one entity was wrong, especially when issues of conflict were being discussed.
Mr Mornah noted, for example, that Wa was different from Tamale or Tumu and said some of these conflicts were as a result of poverty and unemployment, pointing out that anytime these reared their ugly heads they resulted in social vices.
“We need someone to champion these so that the problem of our people would not be compounded and that person is Bernard Mornah,” he said.
Touching on allegations that he was from the Nadowli district and so should go and contest in that area, the PNC General Secretary said the laws of Ghana state that when you are a citizen you can live everywhere without any inhibition.
He said it was that law that made Dr Kwame Nkrumah contest and win the Accra Central seat on the ticket of the Convention People’s Party (CPP) although he hailed from Nkroful in the Western Region, adding that “as long as the constitution of Ghana is concerned, I can contest in any constituency.”
“I can contest in Nadowli West by parentage and Wa Central by birth. The decision to contest in Wa Central is because I was born, bred and schooled in Wa and I have lived all my life in Wa, so if anybody says I should not contest for the Wa Central seat then our constitution should be amended,” he said
He said his entry into the race had sent shivers down the spines of people and that no amount of smear campaign would discourage him from realising his dream since he cut across all boundaries.
Mr Mornah said when the time came, his message would be on hope and what he could deliver rather than play the ethnic card.
On the unity talks between the CPP and the PNC, Mr Mornah described it as tortuous as there had not been any formal meeting between the two parties.
He said what was happening was only individual views “so we should come to the table to discuss what will unite us than taking entrenched positions.”
He said the New Patriotic Party (NPP) had not forgotten its ancestry as it had evolved from various stages starting with United Gold Coast Convention, Progress Party, and Popular Front Party to the present stage.
“For the Nkrumaist, we moved from Convention People’s Party, National Alliance of Liberals, People’s National Party and the People’s National Convention, so we can congregate at a point using a name which is neither the CPP nor PNC symbol, but a name that binds us as Nkrumaist. When that is done every Nkrumaist will come on board,” Mr Mornah said.
He said the ideals of Dr Nkrumah would never be achieved if Nkrumaists did not come together under the same umbrella.
RESEARCH ON CUSTOMARY LAW ON LAND IN THE OFFING (PAGE 22, NOV 2, 2010)
THE National House of Chiefs (NHC), in collaboration with the Law Reform Commission, is conducting research to ascertain the customary law on land and family in selected traditional areas in the country.
The traditional areas are Offinso and Tepa (Ashanti), Duayaw Nkwanta, Nkoranza (Brong – Ahafo), Eguafo, Assin Atandanso (Central), Akuapem, Yilo Krobo (Eastern) and Kpone and Osudoku (Greater Accra).
The rest are Gonja and Mamprusi (Northern), Bolga, Paga (Upper East), Kaleo, Nandom (Upper West), Asogli, Kete Krachi (Volta) and Lower Axim and Sefwi Chirano (Western).
Known as the Ascertainment and Codification of Customary Law Project (ACLP), the project is partly in fulfilment of Article 272 (b) of the 1992 Constitution.
The project is being supported by the German Development Co-operation (GTZ) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
Addressing a regional validation workshop in Wa, the National Research Co-ordinator of the ACLP, Mr Thomas Tagoe, said the main objective of the project was to carry out the progressive study, interpretation and codification of customary law with a view to evolving, in appropriate cases, a unified system of rules of customary law.
He said currently 20 traditional areas in the country were being piloted to ascertain customary law on land and family in additional customary legal communities with validations.
According to him, the project was being undertaken in three phases, with two traditional areas from each of the 10 administrative regions.
Mr Tagoe explained that the phase one would involve data collection and literature review, among other issues.
“In the phase two of the project, additional variations of customary laws from about 30 traditional areas will be collected on land and family law,” he added.
Mr Tagoe said within the final stages of the project, it was expected that consultations would be held with traditional leaders from other traditional areas, which were not involved in the process of data collection.
That, he said, would give them the opportunity to review the findings of the ascertained law and identify variations from their communities.
A member of the Joint Steering Committee of the Project, Dr Henry Daannaa, gave the assurance that other traditional areas would be roped in after the validation workshops.
The traditional areas are Offinso and Tepa (Ashanti), Duayaw Nkwanta, Nkoranza (Brong – Ahafo), Eguafo, Assin Atandanso (Central), Akuapem, Yilo Krobo (Eastern) and Kpone and Osudoku (Greater Accra).
The rest are Gonja and Mamprusi (Northern), Bolga, Paga (Upper East), Kaleo, Nandom (Upper West), Asogli, Kete Krachi (Volta) and Lower Axim and Sefwi Chirano (Western).
Known as the Ascertainment and Codification of Customary Law Project (ACLP), the project is partly in fulfilment of Article 272 (b) of the 1992 Constitution.
The project is being supported by the German Development Co-operation (GTZ) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
Addressing a regional validation workshop in Wa, the National Research Co-ordinator of the ACLP, Mr Thomas Tagoe, said the main objective of the project was to carry out the progressive study, interpretation and codification of customary law with a view to evolving, in appropriate cases, a unified system of rules of customary law.
He said currently 20 traditional areas in the country were being piloted to ascertain customary law on land and family in additional customary legal communities with validations.
According to him, the project was being undertaken in three phases, with two traditional areas from each of the 10 administrative regions.
Mr Tagoe explained that the phase one would involve data collection and literature review, among other issues.
“In the phase two of the project, additional variations of customary laws from about 30 traditional areas will be collected on land and family law,” he added.
Mr Tagoe said within the final stages of the project, it was expected that consultations would be held with traditional leaders from other traditional areas, which were not involved in the process of data collection.
That, he said, would give them the opportunity to review the findings of the ascertained law and identify variations from their communities.
A member of the Joint Steering Committee of the Project, Dr Henry Daannaa, gave the assurance that other traditional areas would be roped in after the validation workshops.
DERY INAUGURATES KITCHE, CANTEEN FACILITY (PAGE 12, NOV 2, 2010)
THE Deputy Minority leader and Member of Parliament for Lawra–Nandom, Mr Ambrose Dery, has inaugurated a £35,000 kitchen and canteen facility for the Nandom Hospital in the Upper West Region.
The facility was provided by the United Kingdom branch of the Foundation for Education Empowerment and Development (FREED), a non-profit organisation made up of Nandom citizens who live abroad.
In an address, Mr Dery commended civil society organisations, particularly the Catholic Church, for its contribution to the socio-economic development of the Nandom area.
He said the church, through the late Archbishop of Tamale, Peter Cardinal Dery, established schools, clinics and more importantly the hospital at Nandom.
He thanked members of FREED–UK for leaving the comfort of their homes to come to Nandom to serve humanity.
He said FREED–UK had been involved in a number of projects and programmes, especially the provision of an ambulance to the Nandom Hospital, which continue to benefit the people in the area.
Mr Dery noted that the ambulance had gone a long way to reduce child and maternal mortality in the area.
“You have been involved in a saintly act and will continue to work and appreciate you since we want this kind of relationship to move forward,” he added.
He stressed on the need for women to be empowered since they are key stakeholders in the development planning process.
According to Mr Dery, the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) can be achieved “if goal three which talks about women is well taken care of.”
He acknowledged the contribution of various youth groups and a Bulgarian neurosurgeon at the Nandom hospital, Dr Moynov Nikolay, for their contributions towards the development of the Lawra district.
Mr Dery suggested the institution of an award scheme for those who come to serve in the district.
The leader of FREED – UK, Miss Anne Hicks, said her group had been supporting Nandom since 2005.
She hoped the facility would go a long way to improve the nutritional status of patients who come to the hospital.
The medical superintendent of the hospital, whose speech was read on his behalf, thanked FREED–UK for their support, particularly in the training of nurses.
For his part, the Paramount Chief of the Nandom traditional area, Naa Dr Puobe Chirr IV, also acknowledged the contributions of the United States and The United Kingdom branches of the foundation for establishing a radio station in Nandom.
In another development, Mr Ambrose Dery is assisting a number of identifiable groups in the Lawra–Nandom constituency to undertake a number of income–generating activities.
These include bee keeping, piggery and shea butter processing.
Inspecting some of the projects, Mr Dery commended the groups for their hard work and urged them to put the money to good use.
He assured them of his continuous support and urged them to take interest in the education of their children, particularly the girl child.
The facility was provided by the United Kingdom branch of the Foundation for Education Empowerment and Development (FREED), a non-profit organisation made up of Nandom citizens who live abroad.
In an address, Mr Dery commended civil society organisations, particularly the Catholic Church, for its contribution to the socio-economic development of the Nandom area.
He said the church, through the late Archbishop of Tamale, Peter Cardinal Dery, established schools, clinics and more importantly the hospital at Nandom.
He thanked members of FREED–UK for leaving the comfort of their homes to come to Nandom to serve humanity.
He said FREED–UK had been involved in a number of projects and programmes, especially the provision of an ambulance to the Nandom Hospital, which continue to benefit the people in the area.
Mr Dery noted that the ambulance had gone a long way to reduce child and maternal mortality in the area.
“You have been involved in a saintly act and will continue to work and appreciate you since we want this kind of relationship to move forward,” he added.
He stressed on the need for women to be empowered since they are key stakeholders in the development planning process.
According to Mr Dery, the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) can be achieved “if goal three which talks about women is well taken care of.”
He acknowledged the contribution of various youth groups and a Bulgarian neurosurgeon at the Nandom hospital, Dr Moynov Nikolay, for their contributions towards the development of the Lawra district.
Mr Dery suggested the institution of an award scheme for those who come to serve in the district.
The leader of FREED – UK, Miss Anne Hicks, said her group had been supporting Nandom since 2005.
She hoped the facility would go a long way to improve the nutritional status of patients who come to the hospital.
The medical superintendent of the hospital, whose speech was read on his behalf, thanked FREED–UK for their support, particularly in the training of nurses.
For his part, the Paramount Chief of the Nandom traditional area, Naa Dr Puobe Chirr IV, also acknowledged the contributions of the United States and The United Kingdom branches of the foundation for establishing a radio station in Nandom.
In another development, Mr Ambrose Dery is assisting a number of identifiable groups in the Lawra–Nandom constituency to undertake a number of income–generating activities.
These include bee keeping, piggery and shea butter processing.
Inspecting some of the projects, Mr Dery commended the groups for their hard work and urged them to put the money to good use.
He assured them of his continuous support and urged them to take interest in the education of their children, particularly the girl child.
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