Kojope Community gets fully furnished CHPS compound

Kojope Community gets fully furnished CHPS compound

Access to healthcare has been a challenge for residents of Kojope in the West Gonja District of the Northern region of Ghana.

But the community can now heave a sigh of relief with the construction and handing over of a fully furnished Community-Based Health Planning Service(CHPS) compound by the assembly.

Constructed at a sum of Ghc139,932.11 from the assembly's share of the District Assembly Common Fund (DACF), the facility is expected to aid primary health care delivery to residents of Kojope and neighbouring communities such as Sumpini.

Speaking at the handing over ceremony, the DCE of the West Gonja District Assembly,hon.Saaed Muhazu Jibreal emphasised the need to take good care of the facility, adding that, the facility may be ungraded to the status of a polyclinic in the near future.He said the facility was a collaboration between the previous government and the current government to provide health care to the people.
According to him,when he took over office as DCE, there were speculations that the contract was going to be halted,since government had changed hands,but he assured the people of a continuation of which he has accordingly delivered.

In the interim,he disclosed that solar panels will be installed to provide lights to the facility whilst permanent steps are taken to connect it to the national grid, and further stated that,he had submitted proposals for the Damongo town clinic and the Busunu clinic to be upgraded to polyclinics.

On the proposed Savannah region,he appealed to the community members to vote only YES.According to him,a single no will lead to a frantic search for such a voter.He said the assembly was yet to form local organising committees in the various communities for the purpose of galvanising YES votes for the region.These committees he said,would be devoid of politics and will include members from both NDC and NPP as well as chiefs and opinions leaders.

Madam Hajia Fuseini Sulemama,the District Health Director expressed delight for the facility and assured the community of adequate and regular supply of staff and drugs.She said the progress of the CHPS compound will depend on the community and that,the community should assist them to take care of the facility.

Accommodation challenges according to her,were the main reasons why nurses were always commuting to and fro Damongo and the community making healthcare delivery in the night impossible.But with the newly equipped facility,that will be a thing of the past.
She encouraged the community members,particularly pregnant women and children to visit the facility regularly and on time,and not wait for their situations to become worse before reporting...This she said usually put the staff in a difficult situation in their bid to delivering quality and effective healthcare.

The chief of the community through his representative and the members of the community expressed gratitude to the assembly for the facility.
They appealed to the health director to increase the staff strength and ensure regular supply of drugs to the facility.They said it was a sign of good governance to have continued with the project to completion.

Mr.Aidu Aminu who represented the contractor, handed over the keys to the facility to the DCE who then handed it over to the health director.

The short ceremony was attended by the DCE, the Coordinating Director and some staff of the assembly,the District Health Director,community members and the media.

Source:Ananpansah B Abraham

N/R:DCE hands over six unit classroom block to NDESCO

N/R:DCE hands over six unit classroom block to NDESCO

The District Chief Executive of the West Gonja District Assembly,hon. Saeed Muhazu Jibreel has handed over a Six unit classroom block with an office complex to Ndewura Jakpa Secondary/Technical Senior high school in the Northern region of Ghana.

Constructed at a sum of Ghc399,490.80 from the District's share of the Ghana Education Trust Fund(GETFUND),the facility is expected to lighten the infrastructural burden of the school.

Speaking at the handing over ceremony,the DCE disclosed that the facility was one of the emergency interventions by the president of the Republic of Ghana in Second Cycle Institutions as a result of the introduction of the double track system.
He said his office would work through the free SHS department to acquire furniture towards the furnishing of the classrooms.He appealed to the school authority to take good care of the facility so it leaves to serve its intended purpose.

"This facility is one of the emergency interventions that the president of the Republic of Ghana,His Excellency Nana Addo Danquah Akuffo-Addo is doing in second cycle institutions as a result of the double track system that has been introduced...And in fact,you saw the speed at which the contractor completed this job. It was done in a hurry with quality at the top,"he said.

He admonished the students to take advantage of the facility, adding that, it was not just about classrooms but how well the students are able to make good use of the classrooms.He lamented the poor prep attendance as well as the high level of indiscipline among students and impetrated school authority to check on that.

The Human Resource Manager of the Ghana Education Service, Mr.Amos Mahama who represented the District director applauded the assembly for providing the school with such a facility.He said the Directorate was on track to providing the enabling environment for effective teaching and learning,and indulged the students to put the facility into good use and maximise its benefits whilst maintaining it.He encouraged the teachers to work hard,since they are the backbone to the success of the students.

"And to the teachers,you are our backbone, because you together are part of the team management. We alone cannot do it.And so we appreciate you and continue to solicite your support in that regard.I think the headmaster has made a request to us for teachers.And we've been doing everything possible.We have so far released some teachers for him and we hope to release many more in order for the double track system to be realised,"he said.

The headmaster,Mr.Mumuni Adam Jacob,whilst appreciating the DCE and the assembly for the facility like Oliver Twist,asked for more.He said the school currently lacks an assembly hall and requested of the assembly to come to their aid.
He assured that the facility was going to be properly maintained and put to good use.

The short ceremony was graced by the DCE,the Coordinating Director and some staff of the assembly,the representative of the District Director of education,the PTA,the assembly man for the area, the chairman of works subcommittee of the assembly and the press.

Source:Ananpansah B Abraham

West Gonja District Assembly fails to elect presiding member

West Gonja District Assembly fails to elect presiding member

The West Gonja District Assembly Tuesday failed to elect a Presiding Member (PM) to steer the affairs of the assembly after one round of voting.

The contest was between the incumbent Assembly Member for the DASS Electoral Area,Mr.Dramani Katribi and the Assembly Member for the Apelso Electoral Area,Mr.Mumuni Mohammed.

None of the two candidates was able to obtain 11 votes, constituting the mandatory two thirds of the 16 members present and voting to be elected after one round of voting.

Mr.Katribi(incumbent) and Mr.Mohammed polled eight(8) votes each, adding up to a total of 16 votes of members present and voting.

The Assembly is composed of 12 elected members, five government appointees, the District Chief Executive and the Member of Parliament who is an ex-officio member.

Two of the members, all government appointees were however unavailable to cast their votes reducing the total eligible votes from 18 votes to 16 votes.An initial attempt to swear in two government appointees to replace the two members who have been unable to discharge their duties to the assembly was resisted by some members.They argued that such a practice was alien to the standing orders of the assembly,since the meeting was purposely requested to elect the Presiding Member and nothing more.

The election has been necessitated following the expiration of the tenure of office of the incumbent Presiding Member,Mr.Dramani Katribi.

Chapter 20:Article 244 of the 1992 Constitution states that:
(1) The District Assembly shall have a Presiding Member who shall be elected by the Assembly from among its members.
(2) The Presiding Member shall be elected by at least two-thirds majority of all the members of the Assembly.
(3)The presiding member shall-
(a) preside over the meetings of the Assembly;
(4) Subject to clause (5) of this article, the term of office of the Presiding Member shall be two years and he shall be eligible for re-election.

In the absence of a substantive Presiding Member, the incumbent, Mr.Dramani Katribi will continue to act until such a time when the assembly is able to elect one.

The Electoral Commission was prepared to conduct a second round of voting,but Mr.Dramani (incumbent) invoked a clause to suggest that was not possible,since the position was not a casual one, adding that,it now lie within his mandate as the acting PM to consult with management to schedule a new date for the election.

After series of consultations however, the DCE, hon.Saeed Muhazu Jibreal said the election has been postponed to a soon to be announced date,but subject to the finances of the assembly.

The process of the election was generally peaceful except the political firestorm that engulfed the process from the beginning.
A member who had used some adjectives considered to be improper as per the standards of the house was asked to withdraw same to which he obliged.

By Ananpansah B Abraham (AB)

Energy minister moves to minimize intermittent power outages in Northern region

Energy minister moves to minimize intermittent power outages in Northern region

The Minister of Energy, John Peter Amewu has said his ministry was determined to put an end to the erratic power supply in the Northern region of Ghana.

Addressing chiefs and people of the Gonja Traditional Area at the Jakpa Palace in a visit that was covered by Ghanawebs' Northern Regional Correspondent,Ananpansah B Abraham Monday evening,he disclosed that his outfit has received concerns about the intermittent power supply in the region and was ready to minimize the situation together with NEDCO.

"Yagbonwura,we have received complaints about the intermittent power supply in the region and that is why we are here with NEDCO. We would be having a meeting with them and we will ensure the situation is minimized,"he said.

He further stated that,one of the universal vision of His Excellency Nana Akuffo-Addo was to have every village in Ghana connected to the National Grid and that,the government was determined to discover oil along the volta lake and other parts of the region.

The minister was in the region and specifically,the West Gonja District to commission a Solar Project for the Langantri CHPS Compound and took turns to pay a courtesy call on the King and President of the Gonja Traditional Area,Yagbonwura Tutumba Bore Esa 1 at the Jakpa Palace.

He was accompanied by his deputy,hon.Mohammed Amin Anta, the Chief Director at the Ministry of Energy Mr.Lawrence Apaalse,NEDCO Chief Executive Mr.Frank Akilgo, the Northern regional minister hon.Salifu Saeed, the DCE of West Gonja District hon.Saeed Muhazu Jibreal among others.

The Northern regional minister speaking at the occasion said health, education and energy were key, adding that,they were at the palace to receive the blessings of Ndewura Jakpa.
The soon to be created Savannah region according to him will develop faster than the whole world, since it would be the centre of attention and priority.

The Yagbonwura on his part requested for a special prayer to be said for the minister and his entourage by the Chief Imam.

It can be recalled that the Northern Youth for Peace and Development,a pressure group in the Northern region threatened to hit the streets if the erratic power supply in Tamale and its environs was not resolved immediately.
Speaking to Blessed Eduamoah Dadzie on "Wake up Tamale, February 21,2018, the leader of the group Believer Likpalimor said the youth risk losing their jobs if the trend is not reversed because,employees measure productivity against cost of production and given the current power situation in the region, one can forsee possible job loses.
They called on PURC to do proper scrutiny and if possible throw out NEDCO's request for a 200% increase in electricity tariffs because they lack the will and commitment to put in place stringent measures to ensure value for money and avert grievous situation.They implored NEDCO to divert the 10% of their 2018 budget allocation they have planned for the foundation of their Tamale headquarters to purchase quality transmission and distribution equipment that can stand the test of time.

The Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDco) however attributed the challenges to load on the cables and load on the 2 Main Transformers serving the area.
In a statement, the Corporate Communications Department of NEDco on February 12, 2018 said: “The Management of NEDCo wishes to inform the General Public that the recent sad interruptions of power in the Tamale Metropolis have been due to 2 main challenges – load on the cables and load on the 2 Main Transformers. Thankfully, NEDCo has been able to secure bigger capacity cables and has successfully used them to replace the older ones. With that sorted out, there is the need to sort out the issue of the transformers.
While we continue to count on the patience and understanding of all in these trying times, we wish to assure all that we would continue to do our best to minimize these outages.”

Source:Ananpansah B Abraham (AB)

Three suspected armed robbers arrested on Tamale-Fulfulso road

Three suspected armed robbers arrested on Tamale-Fulfulso road

The 'Operation Calm Life' high way patrol team plying the Sawla-Damongo-Fulfulso has arrested three suspected armed robbers on the Tamale-Fulfulso road Sunday afternoon.

The robbers were arrested few miles away from Janikura in the Central Gonja District of the Northern region after they attempted to escape from police raid.

The robbers; Galadima Umar,Adam Ibrahim and Madam Umar, all in their 30's and identified to be Fulanis,were spotted on motorcycles by the patrol team around Junction.One of them was holding an AK-47 rifle and when the police attempted to stop them, they fled off on their motorcycles towards Busunu along the Tamale-Damongo road.

The patrol team pursued them in a 'wild race and finally apprehended them some few miles away from Janikura,a community were most the robbery cases have been recorded in recent times.

The robber wielding the AK-47 riffle allegedly threw it into a near by bush whilst they were being pursued by the police before the apprehension.

The robbers believed to be having other accomplices are currently in police custody at the West Gonja Police Command assisting the police with investigation.

Information gathered by the Northern regional correspondent of Ghanaweb from the PR  Department of the Northern Regional Police Command   indicates that, further inquiry is to be conducted into the matter.

Ever since the arrest of the culprits which has since become topical on the only local radio station in the District,Radio PAD,not only have residents gathered at the police station to catch a glimpse of the suspects but have taken keen interest in the case.

Many have called for an immediate execution of the culprits if found guilty to serve as a deterrent to others.They said the armed robbers have tormented their lives for far too long,considering the many recorded cases of armed robbery within the area in recent times leading to untimely lost of lives and properties."Enough is enough,"in the lamentations of many.

Following the upsurge in armed robbery cases, the West Gonja District Assembly had adopted a number of measures to clampdown on the menace.
At the just ended second ordinary meeting of the assembly,the DCE, hon.Saaed Muhazu Jibreal disclosed that,about five people(traders) were injured through gun shots by robbers and one of them, a 21-year old female student died as a result.The incident he said occurred between Janikura and Kojope on Monday 27th August,2018, at about 6:00pm when the traders were returning from Buipe market.

After a series of DISEC meeting, they had agreed to reposition the patrol team along the Busunu-Kojope stretch of the road and to give escort to vehicles from Sori number 2 and Sawla on Market days.

Among other things, the Executive Committee had recommended that management should support the police to deal with all reckless riders of motorbikes in the District and that an interface meeting between Fulani herds, Chiefs, Crop Farmers, Livestock Farmers  and Cattle Owners on the effects of cattle destruction on crops should be held.

Most of the armed robbery cases are noted to occur on market days in areas such as Sori number 1&2 along the Buipe road,Sawla road and Janikura along the Damongo-Tamale road.

Source:Ananpansah B Abraham (AB)

N/R: 21-yr-old Basintale emerges youngest NDC regional executive

N/R: 21-yr-old Basintale emerges youngest NDC regional executive

A 21-year old graduate of the University of Ghana has emerged as the youngest Northern regional executive of the opposition National Democratic congress after a keenly contested race in Saturday's Regional Delegate Congress which took place at the Aliu Mahama sports stadium.

Malik S. Basintale,21, at the end of the congress was elected the Deputy Communication Officer after he obtained a total of 270 votes representing 36.4% of the valid votes cast to beat his close contender,Issah Salifu who polled 252 votes representing 25%...Baba I. Musah placed third with a total of 221 votes representing 22% whilst Viel Godsennor came fourth with a total of 140 votes representing 14%.

The election also saw Alhaji Ibrahim Mobila Abdulai being elected the Northern Regional chairman of the party.

Speaking with Ghanaweb's Ananpansah B Abraham after the victory, Basintale expressed complete joy for the confidence reposed in him by the delegates.He said his ultimate goal was to reclaim the lost thumbs of the party through effective communication and ensure victory for the party come 2020, adding that,the NDC as a family cannot afford to fail the masses moving into the 2020 general election.

Brief profile of Malik Basintale:

Malik S. Basintale had his basic eduction at the Tamale International School. He was nominated for the presidential award in 2011 after he performed creditably well in the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE).He proceeded to Prempeh College in Kumasi from 2011 to 2014 for his secondary education from where he gained admission into the University of Ghana and pursued Business Administration with a major in Banking and Finance.
 
He has served in diverse leadership positions including University of Ghana(UG),TEIN,UG Parliament house and the SRC board of the University of Ghana.

The other elected executives are:

Alhaji Hassan Rufai Ahmed Veilim;Vice Chairman elect,Salisu Be-Awurbe;Secretary elect,Ziblim Saaka; Deputy Secretary elect,Abdallah A.Baba Zee; Organizer elect,Zakaria  Majeed; Deputy Organizer elect, Kassim Bakari Ali; Treasure elect,Hajia Shamima Razak; Deputy Treasurer elect,Abdul Mumin Alhassan; Communication officer elect and Hajia Jamilatu Amadu;Zongo Caucus Coordinator elect.

The special Congress for youth Organizer and women Organizer positions took place on Friday and saw Alhaji Inusah Mahama polling 66 votes out of a total of 113 votes to win the position of youth organizer,whilst Mumin Believer Ukpalimor obtained 35 votes to win the position of deputy youth organizer.

The newly elected executives are expected to steer the affairs of the party in the region for the next four years.

Source:Ananpansah B Abraham (AB)

Alhaji Ibrahim Mobila elected NDC Northern regional chairman

Alhaji Ibrahim Mobila elected NDC Northern regional chairman

Alhaji Ibrahim Mobila Abdulai has been elected the chairman of the National Democratic Congress for the Northern region after a keenly contested race in Saturday's Regional Delegate Congress at the Aliu Mahama Sports Stadium.

He polled a total of 493 votes representing 48.6% of the total valid votes cast to beat his close contender,Godfred Apatsinaba Wumber who obtained 397 votes representing 39.1%.The rest are:Hon.Bakari Moses Mabengba; 52 votes representing 5.1%, Alhaji Osman Musah;26 votes representing 2.6%,Alhaji Umar Faruk; 8 votes representing 0.8% and Alhaji Mohammed Sumani Zakaria; 3 votes representing 0.3%.

A total of 1019 delegates from all the 31 constituencies in the region were cleared to vote in the election,out of which,1015 valid votes were recorded at the end of Congress with 71 candidates vying for 15 regional positions.

The rest of the positions and the votes obtained by individual candidates are as follows;

Treasurer:

Kassim Bakari Ali;485 votes representing 48%.
Mohammed Abdul Mumin; 155 votes representing  15.3%.
Abu Mohammed Hafiz; 270 votes representing 27%.
Alhaji Bashir Ibrahim;76 votes representing 8%.

Deputy Treasurer:

Mahama Janda Tanko; 84 votes representing 8.3%.
Sulemana Halid  Sub chief; 85 votes representing 8.4%.
Hajia Shamima Razak;751 votes representing 74%.
Mohammed Al hassan Akwa; 64 votes representing 6.3%.

Communication Officer:

Yahaya Seidu; 163 votes representing  (16.1%.
Abdul Mumin Alhassan;604 votes representing 60%.
Sulemana Mohammed Yaalana;214 votes representing 21.1%.

Deputy Communication Officer:

Viel Godsennor; 140 votes representing 14%.
Malik Sidiwaya Basintale; 370 votes representing 36.4%.
Baba I. Musah; 221 votes representing 22%.
Issah Salifu; 252 votes representing 25%.

Organizer:

Abdallah A. Baba Zee; 497 votes representing  49%.
Habib Mohammed Tahiru Veron; 259 votes representing 26%.
Abukari Abdul Mumin; 110 votes representing 11%.
Iddrisu Hardi Pagazaa ; 115 votes representing 11.3%.

Deputy Organizer:

Alhaji Abdul Rauf  Abukari; 216 votes representing  21.3%.
Fuseini Nuhu; 170 votes representing 17%.
Fahad Yakubu; 178 votes representing 18%.
Alhaji Haruna Issahaku; 86 votes representing 8.4%.
Zakaria Majeed; 333 votes representing 33%.

Zongo Caucus Coordinator:

Issahaku Umar Bande; 198 votes representing 20%.
Hajia  Jamilatu Amadu; 251 votes representing 25%.
Mohammed  Sulemana; 118 votes representing 12%.
Alhaji Sakibu Wakaso; 58 votes representing 6%.
Papa Yawson; 39 votes representing  4%.
Thomas Ade; 67 votes representing 7%.
Mohammed Tauphick Jinkanyess; 47 votes representing 5%.
Alhaji A bass Ibrahim; 202 votes representing  20%.

Secretary:

Salisu  Be Awurebe; 482 votes representing 47.5%.
Alhaji Imoro Issifu Alhassan; 50 votes representing 5%.
Mohammed Abdul Salam; 449 votes representing 44.2%.

Deputy Secretary:

Ziblim Saaka; 535 votes representing (53%).
Mohammed Awudu S. Zacious; 449 votes representing 44.2%.

Vice chairman:

Alhaji Hassan Rufai Ahmed Veilim; 431 votes representing 42.3%.
Hon. Ali Adolf John; 230 votes representing  23%.
Hajia Hawawu Boya  Gariba; 142 votes representing 14%.
Alhaji Issaka Bawah; 122 votes representing 12%.
Alhaji Yushaw Yakubu; 51 votes representing 5%.

Total valid votes cast:1015.

The special Congress for youth Organizer and women Organizer positions took place on Friday and saw Alhaji Inusah Mahama polling 66 votes out of a total of 113 votes to win the position of youth organizer,whilst Mumin Believer Ukpalimor obtained 35 votes to win the position of deputy youth organizer.

The newly elected executives led by chairman Alhaji Ibrahim Mobila who takes over from Chief Sofo Azorka are expected to steer the affairs of the party in the region for the next four years.

Source:Ananpansah B Abraham (AB)