GRUESOME MURDER OF CAPTAIN MAXWELL:BITTER LESSON TO DISCOURAGE MOB JUSTICE

GRUESOME MURDER OF CAPTAIN MAXWELL:BITTER LESSON TO DISCOURAGE MOB JUSTICE

By ANANPANSAH,B ABRAHAM (AB)

Our country is once again mourning the death of an illustrious son,Captain Maxwell Mahama.It's shocking!And even more shocking as captain Mahama of the 5 Battalion of infantry was a victim of a mistake of an unjustified mob justice.
He was lynched by some locals of the Denkyira-Obuasi in the Central Region of Ghana whilst on military detachment in the area.In what can be described as inhumane enough,his body was burnt after being stoned to death by the locals who claimed they mistook him for an armed robber.What a misthinking!What kind of heart do these people have.Such heartless rapscallions!

Whilst I join the rest of Ghanaians to commiserate with the family;especially,the wife and children of this hero of our time,I wish to employ all well meaning Ghanaians to join the call for the necessary justice to be served in this case.It's probably,the biggest gift we can offer as fare-thee-well to the soul of our late brother.This case should not end like any of the other cases.

But come to think of it,do you really think this is the first time a mob has taken the law into their own hands and visited such untimely death on well meaning citizens of our land?In this era of rule of law(not rule of mob) and nearly strengthened institutions of state,do you really think it's necessary for a mob to take the law into their own hands and commit such acts with impunity?

Today,the rather painful murder of our brother is making all the news headlines and attracting attention because of one reason-he was a dignified army officer.He was an asset to our nation.You know how we respect soldiers in Ghana!

But as we still continue to mourn,have you ever wondered the number of people who have suffered similar ill-fate in the name of so-called mob justice?Maybe they are in tens,thousands and millions.I guess you didn't hear or you didn't "saw".I just guess such cases have not been witnessed in your community whilst we look on,and some times endorsed such acts.Beat him! Kill him!He is the criminal in the town!They have been albatross on our neck for so long a time...."So kill am;beat am".

Probably,you didn't hear of their cases because,they didn't command respect in society.They were ordinary people like you and I.They were tagged by self acclaimed law enforcement agencies as the "usual thieves", and killed instantly.Maybe because of a goat,sheep,fowl,bicycle,motto inter alia.Maybe you didn't hear of these cases not because you didn't want to hear but because, these people were presumed as commoners in society.
You deliberately forgot the common biblical proposition,"All men are created equal."

But come to also think of it,....Why do you think a mob will take the law into their own hands and commit such atrocious acts with immunity? It's simple!Lack of trust in our justice system.You will often hear such people say,sending such victims to the court or police station for proper interrogation and fact funding will amount to freeing them automatically.It will amount to no punishment, although, such people may be found culpable of such crimes.This is usually the cliché.

Permit me to state here that,this is where our institutions must wake-up to the realisation that they are letting society down by their actions and inactions.Anarchy and destruction with impunity would continue to be the order of the day insofar as societal perception of our institutions of law continue to sink.It's just a wake-up call to our institutions,especial of law.
We don't want any startling revelations by Anas Aremeyaw Anas again.We don't want any vigilantism any longer:Invincible Forces,Delta Forces, Azorka Boy's,Bolga Bull Dogs must take a cue.Let our institutions work and win back public trust,else...

Indeed,the gruesome murder of the humble servant of our land,Captain Maxwell Mahama of blessed memory has taught us a bitter lesson.Unfortunate as it is,but it has sounded the wake-up alarm for us all to begin to discourage mob justice from our society.The law must take its cause no matter the confidence so lost in same.We make the law and the law make us.Hence,the law mirrors society.Let's build the law the way we want it.
Join the campaign to end mob justice now!Remember,it could be you!

I pray,however,that justice is served to the family of late Captain Maxwell Mahama.
May the good Lord bless us all.

The writer is a teacher by profession,a freelance journalist,youth advocate,blogger/writer and a student at the University of Ghana Business School pursuing Bachelor of Science in Administration with a major in Public Administration.
Read more of his works on (ananpansah-ab.blogspot.com).

By ANANPANSAH,B ABRAHAM(AB)
(The Village Writer)
0241129910/0200704844

JUNE 3RD,A LESSON YET TO BE LEARNT

JUNE 3RD,A  LESSON YET TO BE LEARNT

WRITER; ANANPANSAH ISAAC

The rattling signs of rain on the upcoming June 3rd,2017 celebration,would certainly rekindle in the minds of the families of deceased persons and Ghanaians as a whole of the dreadful and yet still,the unforgettable day in the history of Ghana.Where some well meaning Ghanaians Perished.We are told over one-hundred and fifty-nine(159) souls went down mother earth on this faithful day.

Accra,the capital of Ghana was brought to a stand still,when heavy rains flooded some parts of the capital precisely, Kwame Nkrumah circle at the Goil  filing station sweeping away life's and over Ghc 1,658,847 Worth of property.Indeed,those precious life's can't be resurrected back to life,not on earth at least,if not in heaven.
But something can be done about it at least,to prevent such unpleasant occurrences in the future.We have experienced once and should not experience same or similar unfortunate occurrences because we are now experienced.

Two years down memory lane,strolling through this torturing and Agonising moment in the history of Ghana,little has been done to combat some of these unforseen circumstances from rearing their ugly heads again in our country.This unfortunate incident occurred largely due to human preventable remote factors rather than the purported claims that the situation was further escalated by a smoker whose action eventually led to severe out breaks of wild fire leading to human bodies being burnt beyond carnal  recognition.

Unfortunately,events that have trans- metamorphosis into this bizarre development still persist.Most gutters are still filled with massive filth.Also, the odaw and korlel lagoon which are supposed to be the receiving point of liquid waste from the gutters are heavily filled with solid waste due to the indiscriminate dumping of plastic and other solid materials into the gutters and into both the odaw and korlel lagoon preventing the free flow liquid waste.

Not forgetting,the setting of settlements for human abode and other service provides such as that of the Goil filing station where many of the deceased victim's took temporary shield but little did they know that,that haven would have led to their untimely demise.

Well,this indiscriminate cultural attitude which has subtly been integrated into the life's of Ghanaians continues unabated.In the same vein,the authorities in charge of enforcing the laws on the other hand,hold their hands in a great sense of aloofness as those events continue to happen within their watch.

June 3rd National Disaster rained on the conscious of the authorities to constitute a five member committee chaired by a former appeals court judge,Mr.Justice Isaac Douse to probe into the underlying factors that led to the unpalatable scene which would surely,take a longtime to erase from Ghana's dark day of disaster historical records where the authorities hastily declared three days of national mourning. Shocking enough,after spending state money on the so called committee,the major recommendations proposed to curtail future unforseen circumstances from manifesting have been left to the discretion of natural factors to  decide.Wasted time and resources are the end results!

Regrettable,I guess!But that is what is happening.Some of the recommendations include compulsory provision of bins or baskets for all commercial vehicles operators, total dredging of the Odaw and korlel lagoon,establishing sanitation police, provision of ambulances and helicopters fire fighters,certification and licensing of fuel station attendants among other recommendations...These recommendations have been left or paltry implemented and this can even lead to some aggravated situations than what we have already bitterly experienced.

Surprisingly,the authorities are always reluctant in unleashing the full rigors of the law most particular, the politician as they disguise themselves and disarm the law for the secret imbeded fear that they would lose votes.

Well,much need not be said,the authorities in charge must up their game in the swift implementation of sanitation related issues and better still, mete out the full wrath of law on individual who flagrantly flout sanitary regulations.Also,there is the earnest need to have the nationalist spirit fully encrypted within us So that, we would keep our environs clean and most importantly, the  implementation of sanitation laws detached from rooted political reasons and the findings and recommendations of the five member committee need to be fully cemented into reality.
This would help safeguard our motherland from such preventable disasters any time soon...
God bless our homeland Ghana and make our nation bold,great and strong....

By:ANANPANSAH ISAAC
( STUDENT-UNIVERSITY OF GHANA,LEGON/JOURNALIST WITH RADIO UNIVERS(105.7mhz),LEGON)
0200316691
ananpansahisaac@gmail.com

Disclaimer:Boy At Large In Infamous Sex Tape Not From Canteen A Suburb In Damongo

Disclaimer:Boy At Large In Infamous Sex Tape Not From Canteen A Suburb In Damongo

We the youth and people of canteen in Damongo in the northern region of Ghana wish to by this waiver or quitclaim state categorically for the records that Tofic who is currently on the run following the infamous leaked Sex scandal involving him and one Humu from Daboya is not from Canteen.

Indeed,in a ghanaweb publication of Friday,26th May,2017,and sourced to mynewsgh.com, it was stated that the said boy is from Canteen a suburb in Damongo.Find the specific quote below:

" The video was first posted on Facebook by one Kasenyi Mubarik Kojah on Thursday May 25, 2017 and according to him; he did that because the girl involved is damaging the reputation of Ndewura Jakpa Senior High School.
It is gathered that that the boy is from a suburb in Damongo called Canteen and the girl from Daboya but an immediate past student of Ndewura."(see: http://mobile.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/Leaked-sex-tape-involving-two-SHS-students-goes-viral-541369 for details).

The above so stated is overly inaccurate as the boy is not from Canteen nor Damongo.The boy in question is a native of Kusawgu or from Kusawgu our reports have gathered.Infact,the boy only sought for some refuge for free in Canteen,Brigade Line in wander,but is not from the area nor Damongo.
As a matter of fact,I was born and bread in Canteen,Brigade line and don't know the said boy beyond one of his pictures I downloaded from Facebook after the leak.

Even though,we join the good people of Damongo and Ghana to condemn the act,we wish to reiterate the need to paint an accurate picture of the situation on the ground.The burden of a story is lost if facts about the story are widely misrepresented as in this case.

This disclaimer has become necessary following series of requests from well meaning people of canteen,both home and away to save the image of the area.
We have had enough of such bad misrepresented reports about the town in time past due to the past records of the area,which could be attributed to the wind of Westenization of our culture blowing across Africa in ages .The effects of which,were not peculiar to Canteen at the time.
Things have changed,and the moral fiber of Canteen is now build bold and strong.

Thank you, and may God bless us all.

ISSUED AND SIGNED:

ANANPANSAH,B ABRAHAM (AB)
(FOR AND ON BEHALF OF YOUTH AND PEOPLE OF CANTEEN)
0241129910/0200704844

NOW THE GRACE PERIOD IS OVER;WHAT NEXT?LET'S CRITICALLY ASSESS (COMMERCIAL CHARCOAL BURNING AND ROSEWOOD HARVESTING IN GONJALAND IN PERSPECTIVE)

NOW THE GRACE PERIOD IS OVER;WHAT NEXT?LET'S CRITICALLY ASSESS
(COMMERCIAL CHARCOAL BURNING AND ROSEWOOD HARVESTING IN GONJALAND IN PERSPECTIVE)

By ANANPANSAH,B ABRAHAM(AB)

And finally....And verily,the historic moment is here.Let all hail Yagbonwura Tuntumba Bore Essa 1, king and president of Gonja Traditional Council for taking a free-swinging step in placing a ban on Logging and Commercial Charcoal Burning in the Gonja Traditional Area.
It's well to state that the good people of gonjaland and beyond have long awaited this refreshing earth-shattering moment-news.But the news in my view would have been more refreshing if it had come earlier than this.Infact, when I first received the news,out of my thousands and millions of imagination,the first thing that came to mind was,'so we had the power all along'?Well, it may be late but necessary.Let it not be said that it wasn't necessary.Let it be said that it's always better even if,it comes late than never.We take solace in this mere fact.At least,our elders will have us believe that what the goats have eaten,we let go.It's what is left that we must protect.Hence, we are not at all flogging a dead horse.We are only trying to protect what is left.

But it's or should be said that in trying to protect what is left, it's legitimate we probe the issues further....
To start with,it's a matter of record that this is not the first time such bans have been issued.Indeed, such bans are beginning to sound like music in our ears,especially,if coming from our assemblies(Specifically:refer to the West Gonja District Assembly letter declaring as illegal the activities of rosewood and commercial charcoal burning, effective Wednesday,27th April,2016).Suffice it however,to put on record that this is the first time such a ban is issued from the authority of the traditional council.(The custodians of our land).So are we going to see any difference in the use of power?Or it's just another late display of public gimmickry or a cause without effect!

Indeed,in the letter banning the aforementioned activities,the overload has employed the services of all paramount chiefs,the district assemblies,law enforcement agencies and the various DISEC's in the Gonja Traditional Area to start implementing the decision of the council effective the 23rd May,2017,grace period.So are we to take it that the aforementioned are the stakeholders to enforce the decision of the council?And when the decision of the council fails to see the light of the day,it should be taken to mean these people have collectively failed us as a people?Can we hold them accountable if they stall in implementing,effectively the decision of the council to secure our future this time around?We are asking because our testacles have ever been stamped on, not once but twice.So it's a cue we are taking from history to avoid mystery or misery.
It's refreshing to note that the DCE of West Gonja District Assembly,hon.Saeed Muazu Jibiril has taken the lead in constituting an independent taskforce of various stakeholders removed from traditional,political and other interference to effectively implement the ban in West Gonja District.And I think this initiative should be replicated in all the assemblies in the Gonja Traditional Area.

Now,another burning issue that seem to overhand our common survival as species in this enclave is the harm that has already been done.Our land is now almost dare bare.We are dangerously exposed to the vagaries of the weather.Rainstorms,bad weather,erratic rainfalls, hard water ad infinitum are the order of the day.So are there plans to liaise with forestry commission and other stakeholders to embark on a massive tree planting exercise to cover up the lost and atone for our sins and huge cost?The service of students can easily be employed for this purpose.We in Damongo Youth Parliament are also available to lead this crusade.Just resource and give us the support.Let's do something now for our environment and our future.To secure the once upon a time rich agrarian land in Damongo is the way to go.

Critical among the issues we should be probing is the faith of the possible hands that will be laid idle through this swift intervention.Won't the devil find work for the idle hands?What are plans to beef up security to counter any possible rise in "deliberate" or "situational" crime that may rear its ugly nose and face into our daily affairs?Thankfully,the government of Akuffo-Addo has promised to create enough avenues for youth employment.We pray our district Youth Employment Agency offices are resourced,equipped and given the opportunity to employ and empower as many youth as possible.So no need to talk about the challenge of possible unemployment or employment through these illegal activities . At least,the minister of Environment, Science and Technology under the auspices of the Akuffo-Addo government has constituted a committee to find possible and alternative means of livelihood for those involved in the galamsey business.(Let's hope this opportunity trickle down to us here).Least i forget,these twin evils have also brought in perceived aliens or outsiders who basically depended on same for survival.Now the activities are curtailed,will they stay back and do farming,or will they return to their various destinations or worse still,they will spy on our society as potential security threat and liabilities?I'm also told our assemblies were at the mercy of these illegalities to generate IGF...My jumping Judas!So will the cessation affect the financial strength of our assemblies?What are plans towards alternative means of revenue generation and expanded IGF for our assemblies?The DCE of WGDA has made his point clear:I don't need such money.I better depend on my common fund than,....So let's look out for ways to mobilise revenue to support the operation of our assemblies.

Until we start addressing some of these challengers,it's early days yet to jubilate over anything.
On on,we strive for community survival.The way continue to remain forward!
May the good lord bless us all.

The writer is a teacher by profession,a freelance journalist,youth advocate,blogger/writer and a student at the University of Ghana Business School pursuing Bachelor of Science in Administration with a major in Public Administration.
Read more of his works on (ananpansah-ab.blogspot.com).

By ANANPANSAH,B ABRAHAM(AB)
(The Village Writer)
0241129910/0200704844

Executives Of Damongo Youth Parliament Pays A Working Visit To The DCE Of WGDA

Executives Of Damongo Youth Parliament Pays A Working Visit To The DCE Of WGDA

The executive board of Damongo Youth Parliament(DYP) today,the 22nd of May,2017, paid a working visit to the District Chief Executive(DCE) of the West Gonja District Assembly(WGDA), hon.Saeed Muazu Jibiril(Jegede).
The visit among other things was to officially congratulate the DCE on his appointment and subsequent confirmation to the highest political office of our land,and to assure him of the determined and unrelenting support of the parliament and the youth at large as he strives to further the developmental course of the district and to improve our lot.

The about 30 minutes meeting commenced with an opening prayer said by the Deputy coordinator of DYP, pastor Mahama Samuel Dinkeri.After the self introduction,the P.R.O of the group,Karim Saaka(Lotic) took turns to brief the DCE about the purpose of the visit.He spoke at length about the aims,objectives,aspirations,vision and mission of the youth parliament.And emphasised among other things on the non-partisan,non sectarian and development oriented nature of the parliament.He assured the DCE of our determined resolve to partner with him in the fight against rosewood and commercial charcoal burning by rallying together the support of the entire parliament and the youth in this all important civil fight to save our common future.

The DCE on his humble part warmly accepted and welcomed the members of the parliament and expressed complete satisfaction in the initiative and readiness of the parliament to partner with him in stumping our the twin evils of commercial charcoal burning and rosewood harvesting.He however, encouraged the parliament to look at other possible areas aside rosewood and charcoal burning where we can be of support to the assembly,and never hesitate to call on him any day anytime.And that his doors are widely opened to receive and support us in terms of resources,logistics and other materials anytime the need arises in our line of activities.He ask the members of the parliament to be free to call on him at any time.But was quick to however,caution the parliament against any partisan persuasions and affiliations.He encouraged us to stand together and be united in purpose beyond politics for our district.He further promised to help introduce the group to notable personalities and institutions that could be of benefit to the development of the group and the youth at large. He emphasized that the development of the youth is key.And that he will support any course towards the development and wellbeing of the youth.

The lead coordinator of DYP, hon.Mumuni Mohammed of Apelso Electoral Area made a passionate appeal to the DCE to help us acquire an office edifice where we can operate from to help enhance our accessibility to the youth and community at large.The DCE in response threw the challenge back to us to look out in the district and locate a possible vacant office either on rent or otherwise and make recommendations to him for further action.

There was yet another appeal from the parliament to the DCE  to help improve the street lightening system in the district, since the normally dark nature of certain popular streets in the town posed a security threat to lives and property.The DCE promised looking into the issue ASAP.Other concerns the youth group raised included the narrow and sharp nature of some roads in the town that needed expansion,wrong siting of some projects among others.

The DCE took the opportunity to disclose that an independent task force on rosewood harvesting and charcoal burning will soon be constituted from the assembly starting from the 23rd May,2017,grace period consisting of all assembly persons.And that some members of DYP will be selected to be part of the task force to effectively implement the ban on rosewood and commercial charcoal burning.

He regretted the attempts by some sections of society to frustrate the fight against these evils of our time through political and other threats.He nonetheless expressed his unwavering determination to rise above the challenges and to leave a good legacy behind for posterity.

The meeting ended on a very successful note with the closing prayer being said by hon. Ali,Unit Committee Chairman of Alansankura/Ngbarip3 electoral area.

Story filed by ANANPANSAH,B ABRAHAM
(BLOGGER/WRITER/FREELANCE JOURNALIST/SECRETARY OF DAMONGO YOUTH PARLIAMENT(DYP)
0241129910/0200174844

VOICE OF COMMUNITY SPEAKS CRUCIFYING THE SIN,NOT THE SINNER COMPELLING DEMAND OF THE DAY:TRANSPORT OPERATORS AND PASSENGERS IN DAMONGO;WHO IS SHORTCHANGING WHO? SO DO WE REALLY HAVE INSTITUTIONAL REGULATION OF TRANSPORT OPERATIONS IN DAMONGO?

VOICE OF COMMUNITY SPEAKS

CRUCIFYING THE SIN,NOT THE SINNER

COMPELLING DEMAND OF THE DAY:TRANSPORT OPERATORS AND PASSENGERS IN DAMONGO;WHO IS SHORTCHANGING WHO?
SO DO WE REALLY HAVE INSTITUTIONAL REGULATION OF TRANSPORT OPERATIONS IN DAMONGO?

By ANANPANSAH,B ABRAHAM (AB)

As I boarded a bus and freight my luggage bound from Damongo(GPRTU station) to Tamale,I observed and listened keenly as the plaint and lamentation of passengers on board the near bonshaka of a bus raged.
In my usual nature,I was calmly seated and wouldn't author a word.But I keenly recorded every of the drama that took place in my mind.

It's difficult to overstate.But the vulnerable passengers on board the bus were in real agony.Their misery ranged from the bad nature of vehicles allowed to ply the Damongo-Tamale stretch of road,and the risk factor involved,the nonsensical and bizzare overloading of passengers-at worse, five or more people squished on a supposed four man seater;thanks to the wonders of GPRTU, Damongo Branch."Kai".

In all these,majority of the agonized passengers were more concerned about the exorbitant transport fares charged by the Ghana Private Road Transport Union(GPRTU),Damongo branch and the lack of value for money vis-a-vis the service rendered.My attention was caught right here.

Justified or not justified?Big question I guess!If you didn't know,GPRTU in Damongo will take nothing less than Gh12.00 from Damongo-Tamale.Worse of it if you have luggage.That one their, you don't need me or any prophet to tell you to start digging your own financial grave. 
But you see,the wonder is not that their counterparts at AY transport still maintained the old fare-Ghc10.00 for same travel distance but that these people have decided to review transport fares upward in Damongo beyond the threshold of 15% as agreed upon by transport unions across the country somewhere in April.

Simply calculate 15% from the old fare of Ghc10 and even me that is not a rocket mathematician like prof.Allotey can tell that the addition should be something like exactly Ghc1.50 and not the Ghc2 as we are currently being slapped in the face with.If the question is about difficulty in getting 50p change,then the fare could have been maintained at Ghc11 to the advantage of the consumer.Afterall, the road is now good and there is low maintainance cost.Some of us felt the Ghc10 was even not satisfactory, not to talk of Ghc12.
With the current hikes in transport fares in Damongo,I dare say from my little knowledge in index numbers that the percentage increase is 20% and not the 15% as agreed upon by transport unions across the nation.(Formular:New price-old price/old price×100; 12-10/10×100=20%).It's thus simple!

In doing some little comparative analysis,the travel distance from Damongo-Tamale from Google map is 123kms/76.428633 Miles/66.414711 Nautical Miles, and the fare is Ghc12.From Bolgatanga to Tamale,the travel distance is 168.1kms, and the fare is Ghc13.Salaga to Tamale-118kms and the fare is Ghc9...Check Distances from Damongo to Buipe among others and the corresponding fares in comparison with that of Damongo to Tamale and the results appears phenomenally amazing.

In the midst of this seemingly expanded arsenals of banana Republic displayed in Damongo by this singular action, I beg to query: passengers and transport operators in Damongo;who really is shortchanging who?Do we have institutions regulating transport operations in Damongo?Because,I understand it's about strong institutions and not strong men.
Whilst you ponder to answer these questions,prepare to catch the slippery maggot of a village writer on other amazing flip aspects of our community struggle.
God bless.
The writer is a teacher by profession,a freelance journalist,youth advocate,blogger/writer and a student at the University of Ghana Business School pursuing Bachelor of Science in Administration with a major in Public Administration.
Read more of his works on (ananpansah-ab.blogspot.com).

By ANANPANSAH,B ABRAHAM(AB)
(The Village Writer)
0241129910/0200704844

WATER CRISES HIT KUSAWGU TOWNSHIP AND ITS ENVIRONS

WATER CRISES HIT KUSAWGU TOWNSHIP AND ITS ENVIRONS

POSTED BY ANANPANSAH,B ABRAHAM

The people of Kusawgu and its surrounding villages are facing serious water challenges due to acute water shortage as the two dams in kusawgu have dried up. People living in villages like Jiramoape, Alipe, Kadegbonto, Beboaposo and others travel long distances to fetch this muddy water. The state of the water could be very dangerous to the health of both human beings and animals.Due to this, a lot of people have resorted to drinking satchet water, using the muddy water for cooking. Washing of clothes is now a serious headache to the people as no chemical is able to soften the water.
The situation was same last year and this greatly affected the socio-economic activities of the people of the Kusawgu traditional area. This is likely to be worse this year if nothing is done about it. The two dams are the only source of drinking, cooking, bathing, washing, building, and irrigation water to Kusawgu and its surrounding villages.This causes serious pressure on the dams especially as the population of these communities keep increasing.
The fundamental reason for the poor infrastructural and agricultural development of Kusawgu is the problem of water. A lot of people are failing to build even houses in Kusawgu just because of the problem of access to portable water. Farmers have in recent times registered poor harvest because of erratic natural rainfall yet no sufficient water for irrigation. People with business initiatives that will require water cannot operate in Kusawgu but rather have to migrate to places with water.This among other reasons are the cause of migration and low production in the area.
I therefore wish to make a passionate appeal to the government especially the Central Gonja District Assembly and the member of parliament for the Yapei-Kusawgu constituency, the assembly members for the Kusawgu traditional area, Kusawguwura and the sub-chiefs within the traditional area, NGOs and all stakeholders in the provision of water to rural communities especially the Ghana water company to endeavour to extend the water from the Yapei river to Kusawgu township and its surroundings to help curb the water crises. However, immediate intervention is needed to save the lifes of the people of Kusawgu traditional area.
WRITTEN BY
SULEMANA ISHAWU
A RURAL DEVELOPMENT ACTIVIST/STUDENT-UDS
0543199250

GOVERNANCE TURNED INFIGHTING:SO CAN OUR POLITICS EVER BE DECENT FOR ONCE?

GOVERNANCE TURNED INFIGHTING:SO CAN OUR POLITICS EVER BE DECENT FOR ONCE?

By ANANPANSAH,B ABRAHAM(AB)

Fellow citizens,so is that the change?Do the good people of our dear county really matter in this change?Is that the agenda for creating jobs?So is this really Kwame Nkrumah's Ghana?Can our politics ever be decent for once?

You took over the governance of this country barely some months ago.We all now look up to you to create the enabling environment for us to realize our immanent potentials and improve our lots.You chose ministers of state.(Infact,some people say they are 110 in number;which is unheard-of in the history of our country).

One of them is in charge of women,children, guarding and guiding our social legacy.All women and children look up to her.Society look up to her.The vulnerable by social convention seek her voice and intervention.Indeed, we all look up to her for leadership.We may wish to emulate her lifestyle and learn from her story.Another is a regional chairman of not less a party but a ruling one.What a feat?Who will not want to be there someday?These are role models.
Verily verily,we must learn from all these people .Because,they have achieved higher heights.They have scaled up the ladder of life with great success like light on a dark mountain.

Leaders as they are,they are supposed to show the way.They are supposed to be the salt and light of the world.Others must see their light and follow their good examples.

But what are we seeing?They are trading insults and trending.It's who can heave bitter salvos the most on the other.The media is running helter-skelter after them to make the drama of epithet public...Meanwhile,you and I need just a pinch of that time to project issues affecting the venerable in society.We need the voice to help put body and soul together.But this is the Ghana for you.A rare noun,indeed.Leaders to lead.

If I'm about to blaspheme,may God forgive me for it's never willful.Jesus Christ,our Lord and personal saviour never did that.Today, many of us profess our faith in him.We want to walk his path.His life is an example .Prophet Mohammed never led that life.He is an example to my moslem brothers and sisters ,and "even..a. wife"...Kwame Nkrumah of blessed memory never did that.We remember him even in his death.We the young one's are inspired.

But what do we see in today's generation of misleaders:they are impeaching each other of taking goats, sheep,cows,fowls and maybe "Adonko bitters" for positions."Chai".My Jumping Judas!One of my friends can tear that bitters a lot...
And these are the leaders.They are those we should look up to and learn from."SMH".So are these the leaders to effect the change?Are they those to salvage the pathetic and unjustified situation of the vulnerable in society?If so,then....

At the same time,such people have a country to govern(develop).They have jobs to create.They have a duty to give us a reason to believe and a hope for the future.Can there ever be hope with such characters at the loftiest echelons of government?

I feel for the family of Mr.Adam Mahama of blessed memory.His wife I learn from the media is due for cross-examination on the death of the husband.Two people are also standing trial:one at large and another Gregory Afoko the brother of suspended Chairman of the NPP, Paul Afoko.
Meantime,the death of this gentleman is being politicise day-in-day out.I think one Bugri Naabu who chairs the NPP in the northern region can be of help to the court.He seem to know much about the murder of this able citizen of ours than the court can ever imagine.

We may still see the worse in the coming days as the drama unfolds.But before we reinforce ourselves towards those unknown days,let's pray for the best days.And more importantly,query ourselves whether we are seeing governance or the infighting that heralded the party in government now prior to the 2016 election...
Just to satisfy my curiosity:Can there ever be sanity in our body politics?Are the elderly one's leading or misleading the way?

Maybe we may overcome someday.But until then,I'm off to catch some cold....
Still the village writer. (ananpansah-ab.blogspot.com).
May God bless.

By ANANPANSAH,B ABRAHAM (AB)
(VILLAGE WRITER/BLOGGER/FREELANCE JOURNALIST/TEACHER)
0241129910/0200704844

DCE NOMINEE FOR WEST GONJA DISTRICT ASSEMBLY CONFIRMED

DCE NOMINEE FOR WEST GONJA DISTRICT ASSEMBLY CONFIRMED

By ANANPANSAH,B ABRAHAM (AB)

The District Chief Executive(DCE) nominee for the West Gonja District Assembly,hon.Saed Muaz Jibiril has been confirmed by the members of the assembly at the District assembly conference hall this evening.

He pulled a total of fifteen(15) out of seventeen (17) total valid votes of the members of the assembly present and voting representing 88.2%.
This satisfies the two-third (2/3) condition for confirmation of a DCE nominee as spelt out in the constitution of the Republic of Ghana.

Article 243 of the Constitution provides that there shall be a District Chief Executive for every district who shall be appointed by the president with the prior approval of not less than two-thirds majority of members of the assembly present and voting at the meeting.
The northern regional minister, hon.Salifu Saeed who represented the president inducted the confirmed DCE into office by leading the oath taking and swearing in ceremony.

With this confirmation and swearing in,hon.Saed Muaz Jibiril is expected to steer the affairs of West Gonja District Assembly on behalf of His Excellency Nana Addo Danquah Akuffo-Addo for the next four years.

Meanwhile,hon.Dramani Ketrubi,the assembly man for Dass Electoral Area has also been endorsed as the presiding member of the assembly.
He equally had fifteen hon .members present and voting YES in his favour whilst two voted NO against him.This represent 88.2% of the total votes cast to occupy the vacant position of the presiding member(PM) of the West Gonja District Assembly.

His contender hon.Memuni Mohammed of Apelso Electoral Area pulled out of the race after consultation with his "family" making way for the YES or NO endorsement.

His swearing in has,however,been deferred till Monday,May 8,2017, due to the absence of the anticipated magistrate for Bole Community Tribunal to lead the oath taking.
The district magistrate who was earlier on invited for the swearing in of the PM was enable to make it for the occasion.
As per the constitution,a district magistrate or state attorney is supposed to swear in a presiding member of the district assembly.

The position of the Presiding member of the West Gonja District Assembly became vacant after the president of the Republic of Ghana revoked the mandate of all MMDCEs including appointed members of the assembly some days after his swearing in as the  president of the Republic.The mandate of hon.Charles Buah who was the presiding member was thus revoked leaving the assembly without a PM.Hon. Dramani Ketrubi was,however,elected the Member Presiding after the revocation to preside over the swearing in of the new government appointees.

Today's endorsement has thus empowered hon.Dramani Ketrubi to partner with the DCE to steer the affairs of the assembly till the next district level elections decide otherwise.

Story filed by:ANANPANSAH,B ABRAHAM
WRITER(VILLAGE WRITER)/BLOGGER/FREELANCE JOURNALIST
0241129910

DCE NOMINEE FOR WEST GONJA DISTRICT ASSEMBLY CONFIRMED

DCE NOMINEE FOR WEST GONJA DISTRICT ASSEMBLY CONFIRMED

The District Chief Executive(DCE) nominee for the West Gonja District Assembly,hon.Saed Muaz Jibiril has been confirmed by the members of the assembly at the District assembly conference hall this evening.

He pulled a total of fifteen(15) out of seventeen (17) total valid votes of the members of the assembly present and voting representing 88.2%.
This satisfies the two-third (2/3) condition for confirmation of a DCE nominee as spelt out in the constitution of the Republic of Ghana.

Article 243 of the Constitution provides that there shall be a District Chief Executive for every district who shall be appointed by the president with the prior approval of not less than two-thirds majority of members of the assembly present and voting at the meeting.
The northern regional minister, hon.Salifu Saeed who represented the president inducted the confirmed DCE into office by leading the oath taking and swearing in ceremony.

With this confirmation and swearing in,hon.Saed Muaz Jibiril is expected to steer the affairs of West Gonja District Assembly on behalf of His Excellency Nana Addo Danquah Akuffo-Addo for the next four years.

Meanwhile,hon.Dramani Ketrubi,the assembly man for Dass Electoral Area has also been endorsed as the presiding member of the assembly.
He equally had fifteen hon .members present and voting YES in his favour whilst two voted NO against him.This represent 88.2% of the total votes cast to occupy the vacant position of the presiding member(PM) of the West Gonja District Assembly.

His contender hon.Memuni Mohammed of Apelso Electoral Area pulled out of the race after consultation with his "family" making way for the YES of NO endorsement. 

His swearing in has,however,been deferred till Monday,May 8,2017, due to the absence of the anticipated magistrate for Bole Community Tribunal to lead the oath taking.
The district magistrate who was earlier on invited for the swearing in of the PM was enable to make it for the occasion.
As per the constitution,a district magistrate or state attorney is supposed to swear in a presiding member of the district assembly.

The position of the Presiding member of the West Gonja District Assembly became vacant after the president of the Republic of Ghana revoked the mandate of all MMDCEs including appointed members of the assembly some days after his swearing in as the  president of the Republic.The mandate of hon.Charles Buah who was the presiding member was thus revoked leaving the assembly without a PM.Hon. Dramani Ketrubi was,however,elected the Member Presiding after the revocation to preside over the swearing in of the new government appointees.

Today's endorsement has thus empowered hon.Dramani Ketrubi to partner with the DCE to steer the affairs of the assembly till the next district level elections decide otherwise.

Story filed by:ANANPANSAH,B ABRAHAM
WRITER(VILLAGE WRITER)/BLOGGER/FREELANCE JOURNALIST
0241129910

Class Struggle Between Ruling And Working Class:Who Is Shortchanging who?

Class Struggle Between Ruling And Working Class:Who Is Shortchanging who?

By ANANPANSAH,B ABRAHAM (AB)

Yesterday was May Day.A special day set aside to celebrate the efforts of the many gallant workers dotted around the globe.
The day was well celebrated in Ghana under the theme,"Ghana 60 Years On:Mobilizing for Future Through the Creation of Decent Jobs".

Infact,as I stayed glued to Ghana Television(GTV)  taking a glimpse of the all colourful celebration,the drama of enthusiasm displayed by the red-blooded Ghanaian workers never seized to amaze me.
As the joy of celebration flowed,the usual lamentations of the Ghanaian workers showed;placards with inscriptions clearly read:"Salary increment can wait but arrears now; Mr . President, reduce the overtime/corporate tax;save GBC now;Improve conditions of service," and so forth...Interesting, right?Do I need to tell you these placards displayed legitimate concerns?No,I don't!

Even more captivating was the president's May Day speech.It's a speech of the century.It clearly delineate the sad situation of the Ghanaian work environment.His speech writers are really doing a great job.
The president was right when in telling the untold story of the present day and past Ghanaian workers he noted that,some of those workers of old would not recognise the present day practices at our workside."Ghanaian artisans, for example, used to have an enviable reputation around the region.Our Carpenters, masons,mechanics,plumbers,tailors were much sought after.They took pride in their work and improved upon their own set standards every time they took on a new job."averred the humble president.
He further provoked our thoughts by asking a rather rethorical question,"how come that old,very old classroom blocks withstand storms and heavy rainfall,whilst the roofs of nearby,newly built ones are ripped off regularly?Your answer I guess,is as good as mine.(Political contracts).

The president sought to justify the reasons why the workers of today are badly off:low wages,inadequate housing,poor working conditions,disappointing retirement benefits(not exgratia) as compared to their counterparts in the past.
He preached the gospel of CHANGE OF ATTITUDE.

I agree with the president.But Mr . President,those past Ghanaian tailors,carpenters,artisans,mechanics,masons,plumbers were not trained under any British/colonial educational system,not to talk of any formal education received.They were indigenous people with the pride of indigenous knowledge.
The British envied this rich indigenous knowledge,came in and we, especially the political class helped them to destroy that system.Indigeneous knowledge is long gone.We don't respect such people any longer.We are now armed with the almighty book and pen education,and what we see is the underproductive workforce out there.We award contracts to cronies and political associates,and receive our shameful share  of the booty.
But amidst all the shortfalls,we keep saying those of you with the power must make committed efforts to decolonise our educational system.Let's edit and overhaul the curriculum.Let's place premium on the technical and vocational education of our fathers of old.Our certificates must reflect our work output and attitude.Well, that is just by the way.This may be a topic for another day.

For the avoidance of any doubt,I'm not by this trying to dispute what the president said.Inasmuch as I concur with the president,I think much needs to be done to bring out the best out of the gallant Ghanaian worker.

Indeed,I followed keenly the events surrounding the May Day celebration in our dear country.It should be said that what attracted me most was the groaning, lamentation and wailing of the Ghanaian worker for better condition of service.The workers were making a plea before the politicians to improve their pay cheques in order to improve their conditions in and after service.
The condition of working and retiring from active public service without a decent home.The condition of working and retiring from active public service without a meaningful means of transport nor an assured means of financing an assured future for their wards.We have to chase the ruling class with strikes most of the time before we even get our legitimate due.Unfavourable policies and legislations-frustrations are the order of the day.

Have you ever wondered why the political class of today are never perturbed over such issues unlike we in public service?Today, the gender minister would tell Ghanaian workers,"Change your attitudes, if you want more salary".I guess she had changed her attitude and that is why she never did mandatory national service.After just four years, her life will change forever.

Sad to say;we live in a county where there seem to be an unnoticeable class struggle between the political and working class.The working class does all the work to keep the system running and the political(ruling)class ride on that,over tax them on their efforts and enrich themselves and their generations.
When the salaries of CEO's of major public corporations leaked,many were those who wondered why the one month salary of a CEO could quadruple the biennial salary of a teacher, nurse,security officer just to mention a few.Maybe.Just maybe,you don't know that these CEO'S are the financial sponsors behind the success of political parties and politicians.It's simply pay back time.

The political class have devised something called exgratia.This exgratia is payed after every four years.You and I have to work for sixty years before we receive an iota of what they receive as fours years "thank you for stealing us".Apologies!
This class struggle has drawn a clear distinction between those who can afford to live ostentatiously profligate lifestyles and drive in flashy cars whilst you and I live in abject poverty and struggle to catch non existing public transport.We retire and still reside in rented homes whilst they build many mansions they can't even occupy.They have houses all over the country.
To do a quarter of what they can do after four years in sixty years,you've to throw away your God given conscious and steal whiles in active public service.We call it corruption.
unarguable,politicians in the halve of the legislature and executive especially,engage in "large scale" cronyism.They make intertemporal choices through the polices and laws they make.They make laws to secure their investments and fortunes after office.The powerful business men sponsor their political fortunes and they in turn pay back by favouring them through legislations and policies.

Surprising enough,at every least opportunity to criticise the system,we would rather defend, justify and make a case strong enough for the political(ruling) class with the hope of gaining their favour to get to the top.But once we get the opportunity to climb up there, we forget that we were down "here" before.Afterall, the opportunity has come to "chop some".Organised labour and labour unions are rendered impotent in standing for the worker by meagre brown or is it white envelopes!

Maybe.Just maybe, this May Day may mark the beginning of the day when the political class will see the working class as a valuable asset with a rightful due.When the working class will realise their enviable position in our nation's struggle for progress.When we will altogether as the president said work on changing our attitude and see the system as our collective own.A time when we will develop and spread the fortunes of the land pari passu and pull along every meaningful Ghanaian to that path of posterity and self progress.

Happy May Day and may God bless us all.

The writer is a teacher by profession,a freelance journalist,youth advocate,blogger/writer and a student at the University of Ghana Business School pursuing Bachelor of Science in Administration with a major in Public Administration.
Read more of his works on (ananpansah-ab.blogspot.com).

By ANANPANSAH,B ABRAHAM(AB)
(The Village Writer)
0241129910/0200704844