The Minority caucus in Parliament says the Northern Regional administration and the Regional Minister, Hon Salifu Saeed must explain how come an excavator from the Northern Regional Coordinating Council, RCC survived the burning of several equipment last week by the Military.
Armed military personnel set ablaze 14 tipper trucks, an excavator, 4 motorbikes and a dredging engine used for sand winning activities in Afa yili in the kumbungu district of the northern region.
It has emerged that there was a government excavator in Afa yili prior to the burning of several properties but survived the military torch.
Member of Parliament for Tamale South and Minority Leader Hon Haruna Iddrisu who led the delegation on a fact finding mission to the area wondered why an excavator belonging to Northern Regional Coordinating Council was sparred in the Military terror.
“What is more important as a fact finding team is that, there was a government excavator taking part in this exercise how come it survived this unacceptable dastardly act. We the NDC government brought that excavator, we know it. We are aware they brought it here for purpose of supporting some NPP youth”.
Hon Haruna Iddrisu also noted with deep concern that the act by the military indicates government was disrespectful to traditional authorities since they could have liaise with them to solve the matter.
The minority leader maintained his side in Parliament will pursue the matter to the latter.
“The military have acted in a manner which is extra judicial, wicked, undermines livelihood and in a manner that denies persons legitimate employment and legitimate right to livelihood hence we will seek redress in the law court”.
The minority leader however urged the tipper truck owners to remain calm and law abiding.
The leadership of the tipper truck Union in Tamale maintained they will however continue their sit down strike until they get a positive news from government.
During a courtesy call on the kumbungu chief, Naa Alhaji Iddrisu Abu ll said he was unaware of the military terror. He however supported calls for a full scale investigation in to the matter.
The minority also paid a courtesy call on the chief of Dalung, Naa Alhaji Mahama Hamidu disclosed sand winning activities were no longer happening within his jurisdiction after the regional minister Hon Salifu Sa-eed had moved sand winners to Afa yili for polluting the Nawuni river.
Other members of the minority delegation included Hon Robert Baba Kuganab-Lem, Hon Alhassan Suhuyini, Hon Inusah Fuseini and MP for the area Ras Mubarak.
The NPP Northern Regional Organizer hopeful, Alhaji Mohammed Bashiru Red has implored delegates in the upcoming Regional Executives Elections to vote for people who are capable of re-energizing and reinvigorating the party to victory in the 2020 elections.
According to Mr. Red, the chance for the New Patriotic Party to win power again come 2020 would depend on the caliber of persons chosen to man the party’s activities at the Constituency, Regional and National levels.
Mr. Red who was speaking in an interview to press in his residence in Tamale noted that “As a party in power, we need committed people who has the party at heart and can do everything possible to ensure NPP maintained power come 2020”
“At this times of our party, we shouldn’t give chance for people who are fighting for positions because of their personal gains but people who loved the party even when in opposition” he added
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He mentioned the likes of himself and others who has been with the party for decades providing security and protecting the interest of the party in the region.
Four persons are currently vying for the Northern Regional Organizer of the party, including the incumbent Alhaji Rashid Salifu COP, Mr. Peter Wuni (Deputy National Director of NADMO), Alhaji Bashiru Mohammed, aka Bashiru Red and one Mr. Oluu.
Mr. Bashiru Red who acted as a director of operations for the NPP in region for years now urged delegates of the party to vote for regional organizer who has suffered and work hard for the party even in opposition.
The ardent NPP member said, unity at the grassroot would be his top most priority.
The NPP Northern Regional Organizer hopeful advised delegates to show love for the NPP and be wary of people who were being influenced by certain political authorities and manipulated to satisfy individual interest at the expense of the party.
“Delegates should not allow money to influence their choice, but use the competencies and capabilities of the prospective candidates as a yardstick in determining who would lead the NPP ” he stressed
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) would be holding its internal executive elections to choose people who will manage the activities of the party in the next four years.
The delegates conference which is scheduled to take place in April 2018 is to elect capable men and women whom they deem fit to man the party at the both National, Regional and Constituency levels
Already, the party has elected its constituency and polling station executive while waiting for National and Regional.
Source:savannanews24.com/Hamza Lansah Lolly:
Mr. Mac-Reuben Kumah, Managing Director G7 Security Systems, a Private Ghanaian Security company, has called on security guards to be vigilant and conscious of their environment at all times.
Mr. Kumah, a security Expert with over twenty years of experience in private security, made this call during a staff durbar organized by his company for Day Guards of the Accra – Tema Zone held on March 6, 2018 at their Head Quarters in Accra dubbed; “Crime Awareness”, to educate security officers on the recent security concerns in the country and the role of Private Security in helping to curb the situation.
He urged the security guards of the company to always stay alert and vigilant whiles on duty so as to protect the lives and property of their clients and the general public. He stated that G7, as a security company, places the safety and security of its clients above any other thing thus the decision to organize the durbar to educate them more on the current security trends worldwide.
Mr. Kumah, who is also a Pastor of Fountain Gate Chapel, emphasized that at G7, the value of a contract is not measured by the amount of income because no amount of money can compensate the loss of any human life. He therefore urged the guards to be more professional and proactive so as to detect any impending danger at their various duty posts.
District Commander of the Achimota Mile 7 Police Command, Supt. Iddrisu Tanko Issifu, who was invited to address participants on the role of private security in crime prevention in Ghana, admonished the security officers to prioritize security issues and partner the state security agencies in combating crime in the country.
Management awarded some deserving officers among other things for their Honesty, Truthfulness, Vigilance, Alertness, Dedication and hard work in their line of duty as security officers.
Mr. Sylvester Atidamah, the security officer who took home the biggest award, was awarded for his Honesty and Truthfulness in his line of duty as a Security Officer of G7 Security Systems detailed at Standard Chartered Bank, Opeibea Branch, when he returned a polythene bag with over Ghc10, 000.00 left by a customer at the branch to the Branch Manager. His Honesty attracted high commendations across all Standard Chartered Banks worldwide.
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Another officer, Mr. Collins Okudzeto, was awarded for his Vigilance and Alertness in his line of duty as a Security Officer detailed at Bank of Africa, Spintex Branch. His Vigilance, Alertness and Smartness helped in foiling a robbery incident at his location when he observed that two men on a motorbike were trailing a client who had gone to transact business at the bank and thus alerted the Policeman on duty, prevented the lady from leaving in a taxi and raised alarm forcing the suspects to flee.
The rest are: S/O Richard Ayine, at Stanchart Opeibea, for his Honesty, S / O Abubakar Nurudeen at Stanchart Opeibea for his Honesty, S/O John Bulu, at Stanchart East Legon for his Excellent Customer Service and Supervisor Emmanuel Asiamah, for his Exemplary Leadership Skills at Stanchart Opeibea.
Present to witness the presentation of the Awards were the Regional Head of Security of Standard Chartered Bank, Africa and Middle East, Mr. Amjad Bhatti, Country Security Manager of Standard Chartered Bank, Ghana, Mr. Lawrence Gyakari Ntim and Head of Security of Bank of Africa, Ghana, Mr. Kelvin Adzewoda.
Also in attendance were some personnel of the Ghana Armed Forces who also gave various security tips to aid the guards in their discharge of duty.
More details are emerging in the case against former COCOBOD CEO Dr. Stephen Opuni who is standing trial on 27 counts of willfully causing financial loss.
The case filed at the Accra High Court Monday, March 12, 2018, tells a story to support charges including money-laundering, corruption, defrauding by false pretence and abetment of crime.
The former COCOBOD CEO Dr. Stephen Opuni has been charged with willfully causing financial loss to the state to the tune of 2.1billion cedis in three separate contracts for the supply of fertilisers from Germany.
The state is prepared to prove that Dr. Stpehen Opuni knew businessman, Seidu Agongo and his Agricult Ghana Ltd were in no position to supply the fertilisers but went ahead to secure the contracts.
The 10-page statement claim by the state is littered with grim stories of corruption, grounding the 27 counts of causing financial loss to the state, money-laundering, corruption, and abetment of crime.
The story of how the state lost the colossal sums began barely three months after Dr. Opuni was appointed by President John Mahama in November 2013.]
Dr. Opuni from January 2014, the state claims, conspired with Seidu Agongo and Agricult Ghana Ltd to bid for a 43.1m Ghana cedis fertiliser contract even though they “knew it to be false at the time of making it.”
The fertilisers, supposedly from Germany, were meant for the 2013/2014 farming season.
This same strategy runs through two other contracts given out in each of the three farming seasons from 2014 to 2016.
By the time Dr. Opuni was a year in office, a similar contract for the 2014/2015 farming season was dished out to the same supplier at a cost of 75.3million cedis.
By the next 2015/2016 farming season, this jumped to 98,9million cedis.
This brings the total amount of payments to 2.17billion cedis in three years paid by COCOBOD which in 2016 needed to raise a $1.8bn loan to buy cocoa beans from farmers.
Contrary to the contractual agreement requiring Seidu Agongo and Agricult Ghana Ltd to procure the fertilisers from Germany, produced the products locally.
The fertilisers manufactured without registration contravened the Plants and Fertiliser Act 2010.
These fertilisers, branded Lithovit Foliar were then supplied to COCOBOD.
The state claims that Dr Opuni had agreed to act with the other two to willfully cause financial loss to the state.
The contracts in 2014 and 2015 worth 43.1million cedis and 75.1million respectively were award through sole-sourcing. But the procedure for sole-sourcing was not followed, the state claims.
The 2014 contract was awarded without any price quotation effectively giving the supplier a blank cheque.
The Chief Executive, according to state prosecutors, also accepted a 25,000 cedi bribe from Seidu Agongo in October 2014.
He would later misrepresent facts to the Public Procurement Authority in his efforts to ensure Agricult Ghana obtained the contracts unfairly.
The prosecution is expected to be led by Chief State prosecutor Evelyn Keelson who successfully prosecuted two people, one of them a former top government official who was also an MP Abuga Pele.
The former Chiana-Paga MP is serving a six-year jail sentence whilst his accomplice, Philip Assibit is serving 12 years imprisonment.
There has been intense pressure on the Managing Director of the Northern Electricity Department Company (NEDCo), Ing. Frank Akligo to sign a concessionaire documents or be sacked.
Our investigations reveal that, the NEDCo Boss has been given an ultimatum of up to Friday, March 16, 2018 to sign documents that will see MiDA take over NEDCO in a $65.7 Million Dollars agreement.
Sources close to the NEDCo MD says he preferred to be fired than to sign the concession agreement with MiDA.
NEDCo workers are currently agitating over what they claim is government’s intention to facilitate the takeover of NEDco by the Millennium Development Authority (MIDA).
The NEDco workers today have tied up red banners on their offices and the main gate of the VRA area office in Tamale.
Our information has indicated that, all offices of NEDco have joined the action to register their displeasure about government intention on the NEDCo-MIDA agreement.
The action of the NEDco workers is also to solidarize with the Managing Director of the company, Ing. Frank Akligo, who has been in intense pressure to sign the concessionaire agreement with MiDA.
The Millennium Development Authority (MiDA) have entered in to a $65.7 Million Dollars agreement deal with government that will see a takeover of NEDco, an agreement the staff vehemently opposed.
It is anticipated over 600 workers of NEDco will be layoff should the deal go through. The workers have since threatened they will embark on industrial action should government go ahead to fire their MD over the matter.
A meeting was held this morning by the senior staff group association of NEDco and the public service workers Union, PSWU of the trade Union Congress.
“At the said meeting it was agreed all staff of NEDco across Ghana will embark on industrial action. Our action is unanimous across NEDco” a senior staff member disclosed this on condition of anonymity.
The Holy Hill Chapel Church has filed a suit at the Tamale High Court against the management of the Aliu Mahama sports stadium.
This follows a reported attempt by management of the stadium to stop their operations at the facility.
Holy Hill Chapel is one of four churches who have had it sermons at the Aliu Mahama stadium the past five years.
Management of the facility will not speak to the issue except to say the case is in court.
Our sources have gathered that the new Northern Regional Sports Development Officer (RSDO) Madam Salamatu Alhassan could not trace evidence of payment by the churches for operating at the facility.
Sources further revealed, in spite of the stadium’s lightning system, Holy Hill Chapel operates within a confine with more than 25 additional construction lighting, additional 3 external air-conditioning and 4 plasma television.
Holy Hill Chapel Air -Conditioners
The Aliu Mahama Sports Stadium was one of the two brand new Stadia’s put up to host the CAN 2008 tournament which was hosted by Ghana.
It has since played host to several activities including conferences and sports.
Other churches that operate at the Aliu Mahama sports stadium include; Grace Gospel Ministry, Flaming fire Ministry and Converted Christian Ministry.
The governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), will from March 20 to 24, 2018, open nomination for its members seeking positions at the regional level of the party.
Addressing a news conference in Accra on Thursday, March 15, 2015, the acting General Secretary of the NPP, John Boadu, said the regional level elections “will be held from the April 21st to 24th,” across the country.
He noted that adequate measures have been put in place to ensure a successful election.
“Nominations shall be open from Monday, 20th to Friday 24th March, 2018. Vetting shall be held from 27th to 29th March, 2018. Vetting results shall be released not later than 31st March, 2018,” he added.
Troubles at NPP polling station and constituency executives elections
The NPP has already held elections for its polling station and constituency executives.
However, elections could not be held in some constituencies and polling stations because of some unresolved issues.
John Boadu at the press conference said they have been able to make strides in resolving such issues, adding that about 14 constituencies were unable to elect their executives.
“…as we speak, some 94% of the constituencies in the country have been able to successfully conduct this exercise and elected constituency executives. We are left with 14 constituencies out of the 275. It is however gratifying to say that the party has made significant strides at resolving the issues in the remaining 5%.”
“By way of regional breakdown, there are 4 of such constituencies in the Greater Accra region comprising Ablekuma North, Ablekuma South, Adenta and Okakoi South. Aside Okakoi South which is still outstanding, we have been able to resolve the issues in the 3 constituencies and same have been taken out of court. In the northern region, we have six outstanding constituencies comprising Bimbilla, Daboya, Karaga, Nalerigu, Nyonyo and Tatale. Aside Bimbilla and Daboya where there are security issues, the other 4 are being resolved.”
In the Western Region, the acting General Secretary said the party has been able to resolve issues in the four troubled constituencies which included “Shama, Kwesimintsim and Sekondi, with the exception of Elembelle.”
He added that “the party has ordered for fresh polling station elections in the three constituencies which have started in earnest.”
“Finally, in the Central Region, we still have three outstanding constituencies comprising Cape Coast South, Ajumako Enyam and Awutu Senya West. The national steering committee, at its last meeting, constituted a 3-member committee comprising Sammy Awuku (the chairman of the committee), Evans Nimako and Bob Agbontor to look at the issues in all the outstanding constituencies across the country and advise accordingly,” he added.
Member of Parliament for Assin North, Kennedy Ohene Agyapong has accused ace broadcaster Abeiku Santana of being corrupt. According to the MP, Abeiku has been involved in several shoddy deals and must be jailed for that.
The controversial and outspoken lawmaker further accused the broadcaster of selling a state vehicle to a businessman during the erstwhile John Mahama administration.
Speaking on Oman FM’s Boiling Point show, Thursday night, the firebrand NPP MP described Abeiku as a “crook” who deserves to be in jail.
Mr Agyapong explained that national security operatives managed to retrieve the said car from the businessman, only to find out that it was Abeiku who sold it out. He wondered why such a thing should happen, insisting the Okay FM presenter is in no capacity to sell a state vehicle to another person.
Abeiku Santana is known to be a staunch NDC supporter, and was one of the main advocates for John Mahama during the 2016 elections. The presenter has, however, often shrugged off criticism from those who chide him for taking a stand when it comes to politics. In his view, there is no crime in supporting the NDC and he will continue to do so until the party returns to power.
The Chief of party to the Integrated Resource and Resilience Planning Project, a USAID funded project, Ananth Chikkatur, has said that Ghana risks being heavily hit by the effects of climate change if the country does not integrate climate change information in its planning processes at all levels of development.
Ghana is impacted by various risks and uncertainties, including increased storm surges, extreme rainfall, sea-level rise, flooding and increased frequency, and severity of droughts.
More worrying is the effect of climate change on community livelihoods, infrastructure stability, rain-fed agriculture, food security, spatial planning, and energy security among others.
At a two-day awareness workshop for planning officers in the Western Region around effectively integrating extreme weather and climate change risks into district-level energy frameworks and planning in Takoradi, Mr. Chikkatur spoke of the need for Ghana to pay particular attention to climate change due to its present and future threat it poses.
He explained to Citi News that “there is what we call non-climate stressors. We already have building codes in Ghana. We have environmental impact assessments that one should do. if you do not do those environmental impact assessments correctly, if you do not follow these existing building codes correctly, then whatever happens with climate will just make it worst.
“We have drains in Takoradi, we have drains in Accra. Many of these drains as we know them are clogged. You get to the Kaneshie Market during rain storms and the drains all get covered. If we do not clean the drains, it is going to make things more difficult. Does that has to do with climate change? No, it has to do with us following the building codes, we need to follow procedures, it has to do with us not throwing garbage on the streets, we make sure if they are there already, they are getting collected among others.”
Mr. Chikkatur then admonished that “if the things that we are supposed to do are not done, and on top of that we have the effect of Climate Change, its going to make things even worse. It’s not just about climate change, but following the codes for sanitation, building and other codes”.
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Speaking of how Climate Change is becoming a threat to Ghana, Mr. Chikkatur mentioned of the report they have produced on Climate Change and its effect on Ghana, when he said that “in the next 20 to 30 years, there will be increased high temperatures in Ghana. It could be anywhere in Ghana and will range anywhere between 1.2 and 1.6 centigrade in the future. It means that the weather will be hotter and the rainfall pattern is anticipated to change. We anticipate that there will be more rains from the months of August to December and less rain from March to June. This will be a slight change”.
He continued that “as the temperature gets warmer, there will be more evaporation and so there will be more clouds. This presents a possibility that there will be more rains but these rainfalls could be more extreme as we have been seeing in Accra. Accra has had rainfalls at unexpected times and downpours. These patterns could be more extreme. We need to plan with these changes in patterns in mind”.
It is on the back of putting integrated climate change information into planning at the district assembly level that the IRRP is sensitizing planning officers in the Western Region to aid them factor in climate change information in their planning processes.
The Aliu Mahama sports stadium in Tamale is struggling to raise funds to settle it indebtedness.
The facility owed over GHc1.5 million (15 Billion old cedis) in utility bills only.
Documents intercepted by Rafiq Abdulai of savannanews24 reveals the ultramodern sports complex owe the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) of up to one million (1million) cedis and the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) is chasing to retrieve over five hundred thousand (500,000) cedis.
Our check reveals these were debt accumulated from previous management.
The Regional Sports Development Officer (RSDO) Madam Salamatu Alhassan who only came three months ago has already initiated steps to clearing the debt.
Speaking exclusively to savannanews24.com, Madam Salamatu expressed worry over the accumulated debt but says she had arranged with management of the utility companies on the modalities of payment.
” I came only in January this year to meet this debt. But thankfully I have taken steps to paying it off. We have agreed to pay ten thousand (GH10,000) monthly to GWCL. But ECG, we are still negotiating and have yet to arrive at a figure”.
Madam Salamatu also disclosed she’s lobbying the government to come in and settle part of the debt they owe.
The Aliu Mahama sports stadium is one of two brand new stadias that was put up ten years ago to host the Cup of African Nations, CAN 2008 tournament.
It has since played host to several activities including sports and conferences.
The government under Legislative Instrument (LI) 2272 has elevated the Sagnairgu District of Northern Region to Municipal status.
The Sagnarigu District was among the 38 districts presented to parliament on November 2017 by H.E. President Nana Akufo Addo for creation of new districts Assemblies and also to elevate some existing districts into Municipal status.
The Sagnarigu District (now Municipal) was carved out of the Tamale Metropolis in 2012 by Legislative Instrument 2066 and was inaugurated as a functional entity on the 24th of June that same year.
The 2010 National Population and Housing Census figure puts the population of the District at 148,099 representing 6% of the total population of the Northern Region.
At the inaugural ceremony in the premises of the Municipal assembly, Sagnarigu, H.E. President Nana Addo Danquah Akufo-Addo in a speech read on his behalf by the Deputy Minister of Energy, Hon Dr. Mohammed Adam Amin said, the creation of news assemblies have been created in accordance with the 1992 constitution and the Local Government Act, 2016, Act 936.
He said, the constitution provides that Ghana shall have a system of local government and administration which shall, as far as practicable, be decentralized. “The highest political authority at the local level is the District Assembly, which includes a Metropolitan and a Municipal Assembly, with deliberative, legislative and executive powers”.
“As provided in our constitution, the functions of the Assemblies include the formulation and execution of plans, programmes and strategies for the effective mobilization of the resources necessary for the overall of your area”.
President Akufo-Addo said, his government is offering a new approach to doing things to drive the agenda for change, growth, job creation and prosperity for all. “The agenda will certainly be fulfilled if the government brings governance to the doorsteps of the people. This will ensure effective and efficient decentralization through grassroots participation, better planning and improved service delivery in local communities”.
He said, these assemblies are considered to be essential for ensuring balanced and equitable development at the local level, adding that, the Assemblies are the focal areas for the government’s rural and urban development agenda. “These include the provision of better opportunities for poverty reduction and enhancement of quality of life using agricultural regeneration and industrialization as well as urban renewal programmes with emphasis on development and maintenance of urban infrastructure”.
The Municipal Chief Executive for Sagnarigu, Hon Iddrisu Mariam said the elevation of the district to a municipal status with propel the area for more development.
According to her, since the inception of the district which was carved out of the Tamale metropolis, several calls were made to the government to elevate the area to a Municipal status to enable the Assembly to offer effective and efficient services for the people.
“For instance, the landfill site at Gbalahi and the abattoir at Shishegu are located within the District, but our status as a district did not permit us to manage. This was a concern to us as a district. In addition, the lack of Departments in charge of Roads and Transport as a result of being a district was also a teething challenge to improving the road network”.
Hon Mariam noted that, the elevation of the Assembly is not going to be the solution to all the challenges facing the area, saying that, the municipality is still encountered with various challenges, including lack of Municipal hospital and good road network.
The MCE for Sagnarigu urged the people in the area to support the Assembly to bring the needy development to their doorsteps, adding that, the potentials of the area is enormous that needs holistic support.
“I want to seize this opportunity to thank all stakeholders that played a role in ensuring that this elevation was achieved. First of all, I wish to thank the former District Chief Executive, Hon. Alhassan Mohammed Sorogudoo for the great effort he portrayed in this quest. A big applause also goes out to the three (3) Paramount Chiefs within the Sagnarigu Municipality; thus, their royal highnesses: Nyab Sagnari-Naa, Nyab Gukpe-Naa and Nyab Nanton-Naa for their selfless efforts and role they played as well.
To our Hon. Assembly Members both past and present, I salute you all for your great involvement in this feat. Truly, all of you displayed togetherness and collectiveness in this quest. To our stakeholders, past and present Members of Parliament, staff of the Assembly and others , I say job well done. I further thank the NPP Government, Office of the Head of Local Government Service and Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development for their diverse efforts in the quest to promote the decentralization process”.
The Chief of Sagnarigu, Naa Ambassador Yakubu Abdulai on behalf of the chiefs and people of Sagnarigu and the whole area thanked the President Nana Akufo-Addo and his government for the elevation of the district to a municipal status.
Chief of SagnariguParamount Chief of Tamale, Gukpe-NaaHon Amin Anta and Sagnarigu MCE, Hon Mariam IddrisuFormer Sagnarigu DCE, Hon Alhassan Sorogo-dooChief NaatiaMr. Halim Tikuma, Special to Hon Dr Amin AntaHon Mariam receiving the LI from the Deputy Minister of Energy, Hon Dr, Mohammed Amin AntaHon Mariam addressing the gatheringHon Dr. Mohammed Adam AminHon Dr. Amin Amin exchanging pleasantries with Sheihk Alhaji Umar ImamHon Dr. Amin Anta with the Presiding Member of the Assembly, Hon Mohammed Awal
In few days time no individual or group of persons will be allowed free access to the Kaladan park in Tamale.
The sports council says it intends to introduce a levy to regulate the activities of the place.
Although the directive by the Sports council is alien to the people of Tamale, it is seen by many as being proper.
The Regional Sports Development Officer (RSDO) Madam Salamatu Alhassan explained the reason for introducing the levy is to generate funds for proper upkeep of the facility.
Kaladan Park
Madam Salamatu disclosed the Kaladan park is a place reserved as recreational center for the youth.
“The National sports council has directed all regions to reserve places as recreational centers for the youth to engage in promoting sporting activities.
In Tamale, Kaladan park was earmarked as the potential area”.
She also revealed how she became a national asset through Kaladan park hence the need to properly preserve it.
” I played valley ball through to national and international levels. Without the Kaladan park perhaps I wouldn’t be here today we can’t reduce the place to this level, it is a mess now”.
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Madam Salamatu however indicated she has come to implement a directive that will bring a face lift to the Kaladan park.
The current nature of the place does not befit it status. The fence wall are broken, people have turned the facility to a place of convenient, the fields are deteriorated, worst of it all security at the facility haven’t been paid for several months. The facility also owe over five thousand cedis in utility bills.
The Kaladan park have been left to rot for decades now but Madam Salamatu has vowed to revive the place to fit it status and purpose.
At least our checks at the facility indicates work have started.
Below is a list and prices for the Kaladan park.
– Inter House games and athletics excluding field marking GH400
– Inter schools excluding marking GH600
– Games excluding marking GH1000
– Crusade GH1000
– Division two and Colts matches per club excluding marking GH300
The Supreme Court will today hear petition filed by three Ghanaian legal practitioners against the Attorney General(AG) challenging the constitutionality of former President Mahama granting Presidential pardon for the Montie 3 who were jailed for contempt of court in 2016.
The plaintiffs Nana Asante Bediatuo, Elipklim Agbemeva, a private legal practitioner and Alfred Yeboah contend that the President cannot arrogate unto himself powers exclusively within the bosom of the judiciary by the constitution of Ghana.
They are further pleading the apex court to strike down as null and void and of no effect, the purported pardon granted by former President Mahama of a remission of the punishment of a 4-month jail term imposed on Alistair Nelson, Godwin Ako Gunn and Salifu Masse.
On the part of Nana Asante Bediatuo, the presidential pardon granted the three was unconstitutional as the former President purported an unwarranted exercise of the Prerogative of mercy. In this specific case in issue, is tantamount to an exercise of Judicial functions in a matter not within the scope of Article 72(1) and undermines the Principles of Separation of Powers and Independence of the judiciary.
He therefore believes,”if the courts find our case favourable, they should go back to prison and continue where they left off”
The NDC supporters were set free by the former President, on August 22nd, 2016, after they served more than three weeks in jail, notwithstanding a three-month jail sentence handed by the Supreme Court.
Alistair Nelson, Godwin Ako Gunn and Salifu Masse who were part of a political talk show on Accra-based Montie FM were jailed July 27, 2016, following threats, made live on radio, to kill some judges whose judgements they disagreed with.
They also threatened to rape the Chief Justice Mrs Georgina Theodora Wood on the same show.
Members of Parliament are expected to receive GHc75,000 each for the funding of education-related projects and monitoring of same in their constituencies.
The amount was captured in the recently approved Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) formula for 2018.
In the formula, each MP was allocated GHc60,000 for the projects and GHc15,000 for their monitoring.
This amounts to a total of GHc 20.6 million out of the GHc924 million approved as the amount to be disbursed this year from the GETFund.
Out of the amount approved for the GETFund, 35.48% representing GHc328,136,603 has been allocated to tertiary institutions, 27.72% representing GHc246,323,360 will be going to secondary schools; 27.37% representing GHc253,11,580 to basic schools, while other expenses by the GETFund amount to GH¢66,604,000, representing 7.2%.
The allocation for the MPs’ projects and monitoring represents 2.23%.
The allocation for the MPs is a slight increase from 2017, where GHc15,125,000 and GHc4,425,000 were allocated to the MPs Emergency Projects and monitoring respectively.
The GETFund is a public trust set up by an Act of Parliament in 2000.
Its core mandate is to provide funding to supplement government effort for the provision of educational infrastructure and facilities within the public sector from the pre-tertiary to the tertiary level.
Brong Ahafo based controversial teenager, Rashida Black Beauty has confirmed reports suggesting she is heavily pregnant.
18-year-old Rashida who rose to stardom after her “Malafaka” breakup videos went viral on social media disclosed that her embattled boyfriend, Kushman is the man responsible for her seven-month-old pregnancy.
Speaking in an interview with Bible scholar Avram Ben Moshe, Rashida explained that circumstances beyond her control led her into the situation she currently finds herself.
During the interaction, it was revealed that she is “broke” to the point that she does not even have a mobile phone.
Rashida Black Beauty who featured in “Noko Fio” comedy drama with stars like Nana Ama McBrown, Kalybos, Benedicta Gafah, Yaw Dabo, Jackson Davies and Salma Mumin and Umar Krupp alleged that she was only exploited and earned nothing from the movie.
“I didn’t just decide to get pregnant. It was the situation I was in. I wanted to even abort the pregnancy but my mum discouraged me from doing so,” she noted.
“Regretful” Rashida appealed to Ghanaians to support her until she gives birth to her unborn child.
“I need a place I can lay my head until my delivery. Currently I’m living with my parents so if I’m able to rent a single room until I give birth I’ll be happy. After giving birth my mum can take care of the child while I learn a trade in Accra,” she pleaded.
The Jigwe Viral Video Awards winner also apologized to her fans for disappointing them by getting pregnant at her prime saying, “I am sorry for disappointing them. They shouldn’t be angry with me because making mistakes is part of human nature. Whatever it is that I’ve done wrong I’m very sorry, please forgive me,” she stated.
It has emerged that the Government of Ghana has sent to Parliament for ratification, a Memorandum of Understanding on defence cooperation between Ghana and the United States, that will give the Americans some space in the country to set up a camp for its military forces.
The document sighted by citifmonline.com said Cabinet approved the Memorandum of Understanding on March 8, 2018, and recommended to Parliament to ratify the agreement to allow the US forces and their equipment unhindered access into Ghana.
Details of the agreement
Per the agreement, the US military force is among other things to be exempted from paying tax on the equipment to be brought into Ghana.
The US will also be given the chance to set up its own telecommunication system, but will also be allowed to use Ghana’s radio spectrum free of charge.
The document supposedly sent to Parliament by the Minister of Defence, Dominic Nitiwul, had an introductory letter signed by Cabinet’s Secretary, Mercy Debrah-Karikari.
“Cabinet at its twenty-eighth meeting held on Thursday, 8th March, 2018, discussed a report presented by the Security Committee of Cabinet on a Memorandum submitted by the Minister of Defence on the above subject.”
“The Memorandum sought Cabinet approval for an Agreement between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the Republic of Ghana on Defence co-operation, the Status of the United States Forces and Access to the Use of Agreed Facilities and Areas in the Republic of Ghana. Cabinet approved the Memorandum and recommend same to Parliament for ratification. I should be grateful if you could take requisite action on the decision by Cabinet,” the letter added.
Gitmo 2 row
This comes on the back of the camping of two former Guantanamo Bay detainees, Umar Bin Atef and Khalid Al-Dhuby in Ghana; a decision taken by the previous Mahama administration that was widely criticized by individuals and groups including the then New Patriotic Party [NPP] in opposition.
Although the agreement for hosting the two elapsed on January 6, 2018, it later emerged that the former detainees have been given refugee status.
The US government subsequently said they ceased taking responsibility for the two after the agreement ended.
The Oil Marketing Companies OMCs, in the region have presented items to the northern regional police command.
This is to aid the police service in the fight against crime especially armed robbery in Tamale and beyond.
The OMCs presented 50 pieces of reflective jackets, 20 pieces of torch lights, 35 pieces of warning triangles and 5 rows of reflective stickers.
The presentation was done at the regional police headquarters in Tamale Monday March 19, 2018.
Presenting the items, head of National Petroleum Authority (NPA) Northern Region Mr. Godwin Yaw Konu says the OMCs are satisfied with the activities of the security services especially operation calm life’s.
Mr.Yaw Konu however urged the police service to intensify it operations in the region.
“We are satisfied with the patrol team especially operation calm life’s. At least attacks on the fuel stations by armed robbers have reduced”.
Receiving the items, the Northern Regional Police Commander, DCOP Patrick Adusei Sarpong said crime prevention is a sheared responsibility and expressed gratitude to the OMCs.He however assured the items will be used judiciously for it intended purposes.
“The service is grateful for the gesture but let me assure you that the items will be used gracefully for it intended purposes”. he said
Operation calm life is a joint military-police patrol team constituted recently by the Regional Security Council, (REGSEC)to combat rising crimes especially armed robbery in the region.
Activities of operation calm life have been able to reduce the attacks on the fuel stations at least.
Fuel stations in and around Tamale were the target of recent armed robberies which resulted in several deaths.
Malcom X once said ‘’Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today’’. This is exactly what the people of Aboa-Besease in the Yilo Krobo Municipal in the Eastern Region of Ghana are doing. It has been twenty years, and they have been preparing for their children’s future through the springboard of education.
Figure 1: Lintel Aid Volunteers with community elders of Amanase
The community of ‘’Amanase’’ is about thirty (30) minutes’ walk from Aboa-Besease. The nature of the roads allows either walking or the use of motor cycles. The stories of schools under trees are nothing new to us, but have you heard of a school in the middle of a forest? I present to you a typical example of such- Amanase Perseverance Preparatopry School, popularly known as ‘’APERPS’’.
Figure 2: Classes rooms of APERPS
Amanase Perseverance Preparatory School is located in Aboa-Besease. It is the only school aside a catholic school that serves both the people of Aboa-Besease and Amanase. The school has pre-school to primary six. Students who complete this level are expected to continue their junior high else where far from the town. The teachers over there are not so highly equipped in relation to teacher training background but their efforts so far are commendable.
Figure 3: Primary 6 Classroom of APERPS
Preferably, the staff of the school can be referred to as the ‘Nelson Mandelas’ of our time; because just like him, they also believe that education is the most powerful weapon one can use to cange the world around him/her.(paraphrased). Almost all of them come from far distances to school. Imagine going to teach school children, you get there and exhaustion is too small a word to describe the state of your tiredness. Regardless of all these they have kept on nurturing these kids. On a Lintel Aid Ghana humanitarian project tagged ‘’JOURNEY TO ABOA BESEASE’’ the team encountered very brilliant students and Lintel Aid Ghana can vouch that these students can compete with their colleague students in the cities.
Figure 4: Lintel Aid Ghana donated teaching and learning materials to APERPS
The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and critically; intelligence and character- that is the goal of true education’. Schools are being asked to do increasingly more for children than simply educate them- from feeding them to teaching them good manners and social skills. In the case of ‘’APERPS’’, there are no well structured classrooms, teaching logistics like chalk, textbooks are difficult to by, and there are not enough tables and chairs to cater for a population of about 84 pupils.
Figure 5: Emmanuel Boateng, Director of Communications of Lintel Aid Ghana (In Yellow) introducing a computer to the primary 6 class pupils for the first time and teaching ICT
Again, less than thirty percent of the pupils are in their prescribed school uniforms. One other significant encounter which brought the entire team of volunteers to tears was the lack of ICT tools in the school. The children only have a feel of what a keyboard looks like but could only picture in their minds the other components of a computer. The children don’t read enough to improve their vocabularies due to lack of a library. However, with the little teaching that comes from their teachers they are doing well in the English Language. The school children at Amanase Perseverance Preparatory School are a real epitome of ‘brilliant but needy students’.
Is time to give chance to a conducive environment to learn and to enhance their talents and abilities.
Who would imagine that a typical remote place like Aboa- Besease would have a private school serving them and its environs? Amanase Preparatory school is in existence today because of one man’s passion to nurture the young inhabitants of a remote village. Mr. Emmanuel Joseph Darnor’s effort put into the school is one that is above amazing. Despite the lack of both teaching and learning logistics, he has made use of the little that is available to give his community one of the best legacies of life – education. The words of Rita Person come to mind- ‘Every child deserves a champion- an adult who will never give up on them, who understands the power of connection and insists that they become the best that they can possibly be.’’
Figure 6: Class in session in APERPS
A look at the pupils of ‘APERPS’ bring to a realization, that they represent a picture of significant gains. On the other, they represent an urgent need for further progress.
Therefore School, family, and community partnership between and among key adults in the lives of these children and youth really cannot be overlooked. Schools alone cannot meet the multifaceted learning needs of students. There are human, material, and psychological supports that can come from the general pubic. All stakeholders please help ensure that children and youth, regardless of background, have equal opportunities to learn and achieve to their full potential.
Perhaps like the mantra being sung by UNICEF on the Sustainable Development Goals- ‘’leave no one behind’’, is the same chorus we singing for the pupils of Amanase Perseverance Preparatory school. Let’s not leave these ones behind. They are also full of potentials that need to be unearthed and channeled into the developments of their communities and the nation as a whole.
We join John Adams and say ‘’before any great things are accomplished, a memorable change must be made in the system of education to raise the lower ranks of society nearer to the higher’’.
Whatsoever you do, please be reminded that the hash tag is still trending- #Aperps4Change
Follow Up the story of APERPS via Lintel Aid Ghana Social Media platforms and Guba Inspires Advocacy Platforms #GubaInspires
The United States of America embassy in Ghana has denied setting up a military base in Ghana as been reported by the Ghanaian media. The Ghanaian media on March 20, 2018 reported that Ghana Government and United States had a Memorandum of Understanding on military operation that will will give the Americans some space in the Ghana to set up a camp for its military forces.
The media reported that, Cabinet approved the Memorandum of Understanding on March 8, 2018, and recommended to Parliament to ratify the agreement to allow the US forces and their equipment unhindered access into Ghana.
In the MOU, the US military force is among other things to be exempted from paying tax on the equipment to be brought into Ghana.
The US will also be given the chance to set up its own telecommunication system, but will also be allowed to use Ghana’s radio spectrum free of charge.
However, a press release copied from the U.S. Embassy website, states that, United States has not requested, nor does it plan to establish a military base or bases in Ghana.
Read below the statement from the U.S. Embassy:
Statement on Status of Forces Agreement
In response to the story released by Joy News on March 20, 2018, the United States Embassy wishes to underscore that the United States has not requested, nor does it plan to establish a military base or bases in Ghana.
The current Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) between the United States of America and the Republic of Ghana is approximately 20 years old. It does not cover the current range and volume of bilateral exercises and assistance.
This year, the United States of America is investing over $20 million in training and equipment for the Ghanaian armed forces. Ghana is also once again preparing to train U.S. forces – as it did in 2017.
The United States and Ghana are planning joint security exercises in 2018, which require access to Ghanaian bases by U.S. participants and those from other nations when included.
We refer all other questions to the Government of Ghana.
Chiefs and traditional authorities in the Sagnarigu Municipality have embraced the 1 village 1 dam program by the government to improve their livelihoods.
The one village one dam is one of the flagship programmes of the Nana Addo led NPP government, an irrigation policy aimed at making Ghanaian farmers crop all year round that will eventually become a net exporter of food stuffs.
Government in its 2017 budget earmarked ¢94.5 million for the implementation of the project.
The Sagnarigu Chiefs lauded the initiative at a sensitization programme by the Sagnarigu Municipal Assembly led by the MCE, Hon Iddrisu Mariam.
The Sagnarigu Municipal Assembly to implement the 1 village 1 dam program has been sensitizing beneficial communities about the project.
The sensitization programme was to dialogue with beneficial communities within the Sagnarigu Municipality about the implementation of the project.
The sensitization attracted large crowds’ especially farmers who became delighted about the implementation of the 1 village 1 dam program.
The MCE for Sagnarigu, Hon Iddrisu Mariam and her team, as part of the sensitization visited some new sites for the implementation of the program.
The team also visited some dry dams and old ones that need to be upgraded.
Speaking at the sensitization forum, Hon Mariam said, the programme is one of the deliberate pro-poor policy by the government to engage farmers all year round, adding that, the program will not only make Ghana food sufficient but farmers will increase their production and make money.
Hon Mariam said the time of depending on a seasonal rain for food production by farmers is over as irrigation farming has become reliable for year round food production.
She said, the dams will be sited where the communities deem necessary and old dams that need to be upgraded will also be taken care off by the programme, emphasizing that, though a government initiative, however, there is the need for broader consultation from the beneficial communities.
“This is not an NGO project to build dams for you, it is your government, the Nana Addo NPP government that is building these dams for you to improve your lot and increase your food production”. She said
The Sagnarigu MCE assured the people of the area the Assembly’s preparedness to ensure that the program comes into fruition for the benefit of the entire Municipality.
Twenty seven (27) communities in both the Sagnarigu and Tamale North Constituencies will benefit from the 1 village, 1 dam program including; Yilanaayili, Kunyevila, Kpene, Shigu/Garizegu, Ngaru, Katariga/Dabooggshei,Kukpehi/Kpinjinga/Sanga, Sagnarigu Kukuo, Dungu/Wayamba/Damankunyili.
The rest are from the Tamale north including, Kanvili Tuunayili, Gbanyamni, Nanton Kpawumu, Kanvil Kpawumu, Taha, Gbalahi, Kpuntalga, Kulaa, Wvogo/Wovogo Gumani, Gbrima.
The Sagnarigu Municipal Chief Executive, Hon Iddrisu Mariam was accompanied by the Assembly’s Technical team, Members of the Assembly and NPP constituency executives.
