Damongo: Youth Backs Gonja King; Says It’s Costly To Scatter Govt Depts In Savannah Region

Damongo: Youth Backs Gonja King; Says It’s Costly To Scatter Govt Depts In Savannah Region

Tamale, Ghana – The Damongo Youth Parliament, a civic rights group based in Damongo the Savannah Regional capital is supporting demands by the King of Gonja (Yagbonwura) to have all key government departments centralised in the capital.

The group has also served notice that if by December 16th, 2019 the president of the republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo does not rescind his decision to decentralise such key departments, they will stage a protest in Damongo.

Departments such as Health, Feeder Roads, Urban Roads, Roads and Highways, Agriculture, Education, Births and Deaths, Lands Commission, Survey, Planning and Cooperatives among others are currently being shared among other districts of the newly created region.

But at a press conference held in Damongo on Monday, Ananpansah B. Abraham, Secretary to the group, said the proposed government policy may work well for other regions, but not the Savannah Region. “… the disperse nature of our settlement patterns makes it impractical to reason about. It will only end up in promoting inefficiency and ineffectiveness in administration. The efficiency ingredient which was key in requesting for the region will be defeated with a decentralized bureaucracy.
“The time and resources that will be needed to access scattered departments in the Savannah Region however, presents a somewhat Scary picture with cost implications.
“You can imagine the head of a particular decentralized department having to travel 341kms to and from Bole and Daboya for an official meeting or duty.How about a nurse in Salaga having to travel 252.4kms to Daboya to sign his/her documents because, the Regional Health Directorate is located there. Can you imagine the time, resources and stress? How about a contractor in Bamboi covering a distance of 455.1kms to Salaga to access the Feeder Roads Department and another 341kms to Bole to access the Agric department. You see what we are talking about?”, he quizzed.

According to Mr. Ananpansah, “It will be a clear affront to the authority of the Overlord who is the chief petitioner to scatter these coordinating departments. And it will be clearly against the wishes and aspirations of the people for whose reason the region was created.

“ What is insulting and somewhat authoritative is that, the decision to decentralize was taken at the blind side of the Yagbonwura and the people of Gonjaland.Yagbonwura disclosed in one of our engagements with him that he only heard of the “somewhat unpopular” decision when PAD FM broke the news.”

Below is the full statement read at their press conference:

PRESS CONFERENCE

DAMONGO YOUTH PARLIAMENT(DYP)

MONDAY, DECEMBER 02, 2019

IMPLEMENT WISHES AND ASPIRATIONS OF PEOPLE OF SAVANNAH REGION BY DESISTING FROM ANY ATTEMPT TO DECENTRALIZE REGIONAL DEPARTMENTS OF SAVANNAH REGIONAL COORDINATING COUNCIL

Warm salutations to you our gallant press men, fellow Gonjalanders, friends, ladies and gentlemen; all protocols dully observed.

With a heart filled with gratitude and warm fuzzes, I wish to welcome you all on behalf of the rank and file of the youth parliament to this all-important press conference.

As a youth parliament, the common good of the youth and our communities in general and Savannah Region in particular, devoid of personal interest, are our utmost priority.

On that score, we wish to pat our gallant press men and indeed, all Gonjalanders on the back for the individual sacrifices and collective effort towards the creation and subsequently, the strive towards the development of the infant Savannah Region. Indeed, it was never promised to be easy, but with a true-blue character and unity of purpose, “we shall surely see visions”. (Rephrased).

Ladies and gentlemen, we have invited you here today to share our thoughts with you on the state of affairs in the newly created Savannah Region of ours.

Comrades, it’s instructive to note that, the quest for the creation of the Savannah Region was to accelerate Socio Economic Development and to enhance administrative efficiency.(This is as contained in the petition for the creation of a new region in Gonjaland).And many sons and daughters of our dear land who toiled tirelessly for decades to have a Savannah Region would have wished to share in the glory we have today.

This toil dates back to a meeting that was held from the 18th to 19th of April,1981, when the idea of requesting for a region was first mooted with loud applause. What a privileged generation we are?

It is therefore important for us to seize the golden opportunity provided by the region to refine ideas, listen to one another and develop Gonjaland. We therefore, cannot afford to betray the toil, sacrifices and silent wishes of our forefathers and mothers as they sleep silently with the hope of a promising and prosperous Savannah Region.

The Overlord of the Gonja Kingdom,Yagbonwura Tutumba Boresa 1,deserves a ceremonial embrace as the chief petitioner for the creation of the Savannah Region.We in the youth parliament, therefore share in the wisdom contained in his directive that, all the decentralized departments of the Regional Coordinating Council should be located at the Regional Capital, Damongo.

In an interview with PAD FM on 1st October,2019,after a closed-door meeting with the Regional Minister, the Registrar of the Gonja Traditional Council,Mr.Abutu Kapori,disclosed that, it will be a betrayal of trust if Yagbonwura accepts a region with such dispersed departments.

According to him, the Overlord has directed the minister to relay to government that he has not accepted and will not accept an arrangement to decentralize departments.

“Yagbonwura wants all the regional departments to be sited at Damongo….This was the reason why he demanded for the region.Yagbonwura says if he was to be aware that this was the way the region was going to be structured, he wouldn’t have asked for it.When you look at the youth that came to my palace to protest against the decision, they are made up of different tribes. The teaming youth have indicated that they will feel highly betrayed and disappointed if the Overlord accepts such a decision, since that was not the region they fought and voted for,” he reiterated.

Ladies and gentlemen of the press, the wisdom in Yagbonwura’s declaration reflects the wishes and aspirations of the youth and people of Gonjaland as expressly expressed in the petition for the creation of the Savannah Region, not the afterthought proclamations best couched as a mirage.

Compatriots, it’s important to note that, Yagbonwura’s directive is sequel to an attempted protest by the youth of the region under the aegis of Damongo Youth Parliament (DYP) against the unpopular decision. A protest which was put on a temporal hold.

We thought the declaration by the Overlord has ended the raging controversy, since he is the chief petitioner with a final say and symbolizes the entire region and Gonjaland.We the youth therefore, rested our case with the hope of a better structure for a coordinated development within the Savannah Region.

What beats our imagination however, is the subtle disclosure by the Savannah Regional Minister, Mr.Adam Salifu Braimah,in a speech read on his behalf at the recently held Savannah Star Awards that, the various MMDCEs’ in the Savannah Region have been tasked to allocate pieces of lands in their districts for the construction of the various Regional Departments as advertised by government.Meaning,he intends to go ahead with the decentralization policy, despite clear instructions from the chief petitioner against such a decision.

We have also become aware that, most of the Heads of the Decentralized Departments have started reporting to the Regional Capital, but are being coerced against their will to move to their so-called designated districts.

Comrades, ladies and gentlemen of the press, we consider this desperate move an affront to the authority of Yagbonwura who symbolizes the entire Gonjaland and a betrayal of the wishes, conscience and aspirations of the people. The people must be seen as owning the region!

I should like to state that, the disadvantages of decentralizing bureaucratic departments far outweigh the advantages, especially for Savannah Region with its dispersed settlements.

Friends, it’s instructive to note that, the various regional departments are only to serve as coordinating agencies,thus,coordinating the development within the region, and dispersing these coordinating agencies of the RCC will increase the cost of administration as the departments will have to communicate and share relevant documents, resources and information on a regular basis. Our recurrent expenditure will increase unnecessarily through commuting expenses.

Information we have sourced indicates that at present, an amount of Gh50,000.00 is used per month to fuel the hitherto eight and now seven vehicles of the Savannah Regional Coordinating Council… Averagely, each vehicle would have been consuming an amount Ghc7,143.00 of fuel per month which translate to 1,343 litters of fuel.
This is less the outstation and traveling allowances inter alia.

We are just wondering where the cost will be pegged with dispersed decentralized departments, where the Heads of Departments will have to cover several kilometers to attend official meetings among others.

Lest we forget, we will soon be raising some critical questions and issues about our missing RCC vehicle with registration number ER 3516-19 and chase’s number AHTKK8CDD200679016.Information about the progress of investigations remain sketchy and we are concerned, since it’s a matter bothering on public interest and public good. Coming soon….

Ladies and gentlemen of the press, the policy so proposed may work well in any other region, but for Savannah Region, the disperse nature of our settlement patterns makes it impractical to reason about. It will only end up in promoting inefficiency and ineffectiveness in administration. The efficiency ingredient which was key in requesting for the region will be defeated with a decentralized bureaucracy.

Take the distances from the regional capital to the various towns in the North East Region for instance:

The travel distance between Nalerigu to Gambaga is 7kms, Nalerigu to Walewale;57kms, Nalerigu to Cheripony which happen to be one of the farthest towns in the region is 112kms and Nalerigu to Bunkurigu is 61kms.

Bono East Region which is also closer in proximity to the Savannah Region presents a similar picture:

The travel distance from Techiman to Kintampo is 72.6kms, Techiman to Atebubu;143.4kms, Techiman to Yeji;212.9kms, Techiman to Nkoranza is 29kms and from Techiman to Wenchi is 31.8kms.

The time and resources that will be needed to access scattered departments in the Savannah Region however, presents a somewhat Scary picture with cost implications.

You can imagine the head of a particular decentralized department having to travel 341kms to and from Bole and Daboya for an official meeting or duty.

How about a nurse in Salaga having to travel 252.4kms to Daboya to sign his/her documents because, the Regional Health Directorate is located there. Can you imagine the time, resources and stress?How about a contractor in Bamboi covering a distance of 455.1kms to Salaga to access the Feeder Roads Department and another 341kms to Bole to access the Agric department. You see what we are talking about?

See the table below for a better appreciation of the above analysis.

TOWN                                      TRAVEL DISTANCE IN Kms
Damongo to Salaga               239
Damongo to Bole                    99
Damongo to Daboya               89.3
Bamboi to Salaga                     455.6
Tuna to Salaga                          346.7
Bole to Daboya                         188.3
Buipe to Salaga                        218.5

Such a system will create access crises and slowdown the bureaucracy of the region, thus promoting ineffective administration and underdevelopment. It will unnecessarily overburden clients who will be accessing these departments.

Damongo was settled on as the regional capital because of its generally accepted central nature…About four of the six districts in Gonjaland are closer in proximity to Damongo. It is centrally placed and best fit to coordinate development within the region.

Developing Damongo as the pride of Gonjaland like Tamale, Kumasi, Accra, Koforidua ad infinitum, does not take away anything from the other districts in the region. These Regional capitals gained the prominence they have today, as a result of the concentration of regional departments which propelled growing population.

Such a dense population easily attracts investors who will want to take advantage of the numbers to do investments.We are already picking information that, potential investors are being scared away from our region because of the unpalatable decision to decentralize, since it will not make investment sense to put so much into a town that cannot attract traffic and the numbers needed to drive business.

Friends from the media, we are told the president mentioned about decentralization of development and government installations, whilst presenting the Savannah Region with its Document of Attestation and Constitutional Instrument (CI 115), to give effect to the creation of the region.

Decentralization of development is the way to go. That is why we entreat the president to embark on massive infrastructural development within the Savannah Region. We want to see more scattered higher institutions of learning, factories, better road networks, markets, district hospitals and CHPS compounds inter alia.

For the question of government installations, the meaning maybe opened to varied interpretations. But if that was meant to direct that bureaucratic departments should be scatted; we appeal to the conscience of the president to reconsider his decision. This is not the Savannah Region we intended. This is not the Savannah Region we must own, when we don’t have a say in how departments should be structured. Decisions and policies are made and can be unmade.

If we are really committed to decentralization, let’s rather impress on government to create more districts in the newly created Savannah Region and resource these districts together with the existing one’s to take charge of development.

Ladies and gentlemen, lest we forget, what criteria was used by the RCC to determine that the Regional Agric Office is best fit to be sited at Bole. How about the Regional Health Directorate and Feeder Roads? Who designed that criteria? Which people were involved or consulted in arriving at this crucial decision? We need to know…

It is important to note that, the departments in themselves are just structures responsible for coordinating development and don’t constitute development in themselves.Structures in themselves mean nothing if they don’t contribute to development.

It’s very difficult to fathom the motivation behind such acts of destructive desperation aimed at implementation a decision that is not in consonance with the popular will and wishes of the people.

We, within the youth parliament as key actors in the region wish to add our strong voices to this important debate.

We didn’t fight for a region that will at last, be a burden to the people. We intended to have a region that will enhance administrative efficiency and effectiveness.

As coordinating agencies, easy access to these departments is practically necessary if we mean development. Any attempt to scatter these departments will be counterproductive, as our meagre resources will be disbursed in running administrative cost of the region, rather than developing.

It will be a clear affront to the authority of the Overlord who is the chief petitioner to scatter these coordinating departments. And it will be clearly against the wishes and aspirations of the people for whose reason the region was created.

What is insulting and somewhat authoritative is that, the decision to decentralize was taken at the blind side of the Yagbonwura and the people of Gonjaland.Yagbonwura disclosed in one of our engagements with him that he only heard of the “somewhat unpopular” decision when PAD FM broke the news.

Is it now consultative development in a democratic Savannah Region or authoritative decisions defined by the whims and caprice of some “faceless individuals hiding under the cover of a so-called petition? We thought we collectively fought for the region and must plan its development together.

Friend, the so-called petition which we are told is the basis for this decision is not only non-existent, but it’s a total fiasco and a prime afterthought. So, the lest we talk about it, the better.

Such a decision was never the understanding of Yagbonwura, his chiefs and the people of Gonjaland.

We the youth are therefore, prepared to protest against this “blasphemous decision. We will not sit aloof and watch the authority of Yagbonwura to be flaunted with impunity.

We will resist any attempt to implement such an unpopular decision which does not fit into our developmental paradigm and does not resonate with the wishes and aspirations of the people.

Your Excellency, we are aware you just called off the holding of the Referendum of 17th December,2019, citing the lack of broad, national consensus among key stakeholders and the populace.

The decision to decentralize the regional departments of the Savannah Regional Coordinating Council was taken without broad consultation and consensus among key stakeholders and the populace.

We therefore, call on the president of the Republic of Ghana, His excellency Nana Addo Danquah Akuffo-Addo to as a listening president use his powers to reconsider this rather unpopular decision. Let the people of Savannah Region be seen as owning the region.

Ladies and gentlemen of the press, if by the 16th of December,2019, we don’t receive any positive response and reason to believe that the decision to decentralize was an afterthought but not intended; we will stage a massive demonstration to register our displeasure….

We are citizens, not spectators.

May the good Lord bless us all…
Long live Ghana!
Long live Gonjaland!Long live Savannah Region!
Long live Damongo Youth Parliament!
In one accord we remain faithfully yours,

ANANPANSAH,B ABRAHAM

(SECRETARY)
0241129910

MUMUNI MOHAMMED

(LEAD COORDINATOR)
0249077693

By SavannahNewsOnline.Com/Philip Liebs

Stop using state power to intimidate our members-S/R NDC to regional minister

Stop using state power to intimidate our members-S/R NDC to regional minister

The National Democratic Congress in the newly created Savannah Region has admonished the Savannah Regional Minister,Mr.Salifu Adam Braimah to desist from using state power and security to intimate residents of the region, particularly its members.

In a strongly worded statement copied to PAD FM's Ananpansah B Abraham,the Regional Communications Director of the party,Mr.Malik Basintale,alleged that,the Salaga South Constituency Communications Officer of the NDC,Abu Omega was among the list of persons arrested yesternight in connection with the burning down of an NPP office in Salaga South Constituency.

Among other things,he wondered why the suspects who were arrested in Savannah Region are being held hostage in the Northern Region "for so called close door investigations".

He disclosed that the legal team of the NDC was currently stepping into the matter and cautioned the minister to stop using state power to intimidate its members.

Read full statement below:

WORD OF CAUTION TO THE S/R MINISTER MR. ADAM SALIFU BRAIMAH

We have just been reliably informed that some persons were arrested last night around 2-am in the salaga south constituency.

Their arrest we are told has to do with the burning down of the NPP office in the salaga south constituency some months ago when they were deceived of attaining regional capital status by same NPP leadership.

We have been informed that our vibrant and humble constituency Communication officer Mr. Abu Omega has been picked up too by same operation.

Among the wonders are, Why will people be arrested for a crime in the Savannah region and quickly transported into the Northern region for "so-called" close door investigations.

You were not arrested for taking away our savannah RCC hilux pickup but instead cause the arrest of people who rebelled because they claimed you had deceived them?

Whiles our legal team steps into the matter, we send a strong caution to the S/R regional minister Adam Salifu Braimah to desist from using state power and security in intimidating indigenes of the Savannah region as we count on the police service to act professional in this matter.


Malik Basintale
S/R Communication Officer
National Democratic Congress.

Source:Ananpansah B Abraham

Let's fashion out modalities to ensure women access to productive lands-NorthCode Coordinator

Let's fashion out modalities to ensure women access to productive lands-NorthCode Coordinator

The Coordinator of Coalition for Development of Northern Ghana(NORTHCODE),Mr.Cletus Zume has called for a close collaboration among chiefs, land owners and MDA's to ensure access to productive lands and agricultural inputs by women.

In a press statement,he said it is worrying to note that,in our part of the country,access to land was mainly ascribed to men due to patrilineal descent and higher status accorded them by society.

According to him,land shortage,resulting from rapid urbanisation was cited as a major factor precluding women from effective land tenure security.
He said NORTHCODE was ready to work with its partner,BUSAC(Business Sector Advocacy Challenge Fund),among others to implement Women Land Bank Model as part of measures to tackle the challenge.

NORTHCODE launched a study as part of efforts to increase women access to productive lands and agricultural inputs.

Read full statement below:

Press Statement

NORTHCODE-GHANA

15th November,2019

 Implement land bank model for women by drawing useful lessons from failures of block farming

Coalition for Development of Northern Ghana (NORTHCODE-Ghana),is an NGO based in the Northern region.

NORTHCODE GHANA exists to empower the deprived and vulnerable people and communities in Northern Ghana to work for social and economic development and sound environmental practices for improved living conditions and poverty reduction. It hopes to achieve this through pursuing initiatives that promote human rights and citizenship and engagement with duty bearers. Achieving the mission will be through the recognition and exploration of societal diversity, variations in resources availability and allocation, adoption of integrated approaches and experiences to promote innovative solutions and societal responsibility.

As part of effort to increase women access to productive land and agricultural inputs for increased food production and income generation in Buipe,West Gonja,Mamprusi,North Gonja,Sawla/Tuna/Kalba and Bole Districts,Northcode Ghana, led by its Coordinator, Mr.Cletus Zume launched a study aimed at:

1.Understanding the socio-cultural underpinnings that militate against women access to, control over and use of productive land for agriculture purposes on a sustained period.
2.Examining existing local mechanisms and processes (if any) in land redistribution especially for vulnerable women.
3.Assessing the extent to which women are being considered in the provision of agricultural inputs and services by Departments of Agriculture and other Private Inputs Providers.

From the study, it was established that:

Control over land was mainly ascribed to men due to the higher status credited to them by society, the advantages accorded to men through the patrilineal descent system, the fear of loosing family land upon marriage of a woman to someone from outside her clan or lineage and their leadership roles at the household level.

The research also found out that,women generally had access to or control over smaller parcels of land relative to men. Specifically, respondents indicated that women average land holdings was about 5 acres or less.

Also,land shortage, resulting from rapid urbanization was cited as a major factor precluding women from effectively having land tenure security. This issue was more pronounced, however in the settler communities than in the village areas where land still abounds. Other socio–economic and cultural factors such as the perception of inadequate capacity to utilize land by women; customary practices of widowhood; customary beliefs on land ownership; and customary practices of inheritance were identified.

From the research findings,Northcode Ghana is thus recommending that:

Implementers of the women’s land banks model should take steps draw lessons from the successes and failures of that block farming scheme in order to avoid any pitfalls while capitalizing on its merits.

Also,NORTHCODE Ghana collaborate with Chiefs and Land Owners, MDAs and the Departments of Agriculture and other identifiable Inputs Dealers and Service Providers to fashion out modalities that ensure that selected women have access to productive land and other agriculture inputs and services in a sustained manner.

Key Research Findings
Although most Respondents were not familiar with the land banks concept as a means to addressing women’s needs in agricultural lands, they are nonetheless open to accepting the idea as a project strategy. This is probably aided by their familiarity with the block farming scheme that has been practised in the recent past under some agricultural projects.

NORTHCODE is proudly sponsored by BUSAC(Business Sector Advocacy Challenge Fund) in this crusade.

Signed:,

Cletus Zume

(DIRECTOR,NORTHCODE-GHANA)
0540912402/0208923936

Source:Ananpansah B Abraham(AB)

Pass amendment bill to allow election of MMDCEs'-Catholic Bishop urges parliament

Pass amendment bill to allow election of MMDCEs'-Catholic Bishop urges parliament

The Bishop of the Diocese of Damongo,who doubles as chairman of the Ghana Prisons Council has urged parliament to take urgent steps in passing the amendment bill of Article 243 (1) into law to allow for the election of Metropolitan,Municipal and District Chief Executives across the country.

Speaking at the launch of the Diocesan Regional Sensitization on the forthcoming referendum on the election of MMDCEs',he bemoaned the lack of consensus by MP's in approving the bill, adding that,they the Catholic Bishops were unhappy about the development.

"We the Catholic Bishops are following with keen interest,the debate on the bill before parliament to amend article 243(1) leading to the election of MMDCEs' and we are not happy with the trend so far. It is our hope that both parties in parliament will build a consensus to pass the bill by obtaining the two-thirds votes.This is what the church and other religious bodies are expecting from our politicians on behalf of the Ghanaian people,"he said.

He disclosed that,even though,the referendum is expected to take place in December 2019,just about a month from now,not much is heard about it in public discourse.
According to him,the Tamale Ecclesiastical Province has already initiated a project on citizens participation in local governance,which offers an opportunity to organise about ten (10) town hall meetings in the four regions of the north.He said the church was very much concerned about good governance and will always endeavor to make its voice heard on issues of national importance according to the social doctrines of the church.

He said the Ghana Catholic Bishops Conference will as usual offer its support to government,the Electoral Commission,the NCCE and other stakeholders in the efforts aimed at creating awareness and understanding of the issues at stake before,during and after the referendum.This is to enable the citizens to make informed decisions and choices.

He advocated for "yes" votes in the upcoming referendum.

The Savannah Regional Minister,hon.Salifu Adam Braimah,disclosed that,government is committed at empowering the people to elect their own leaders at the grassroot level.He wondered why Ghanaians can elect their Members of Parliament and president,but can't elect the people that directly affect their lives.

He said the district level election is already partisan,adding that, it's possible for either NDC or NPP MMDCEs' to work with the president towards a common goal.
He called on the NDC to state their position on the election of MMDCE's,whilst exhorting the NCCE to intensity their campaign towards achieving a higher voter turnout.

The District Director of the National Commission on Civic Education(NCCE),madam Janet Ameseya,deplored the low voter turnout that always characterise the district level elections.To this end,he said the commission has resolved to embark on public engagement to whip up the interest of the citizenry and achieve a higher voter turnout of 40% of registered voters' in this all important national exercise.

He said the referendum is not about amending article 243 (1) as perceived by some sections of Ghanaians and the media,but rather,the decision of whether to allow or disallow the participation of political parties in district level elections as determined by article 55 (3).
The amendment of article 243 (1) to allow for the election of MMDCE's is to be done by parliament acting on behalf of the people.
The election of MMDCE's he said,will make them more accountable to the people and curtail the winner takes all politics.

Mr.Sualisu Biuwurbi,the Savannah Regional Secretary of the NDC disclosed that,by the end of this month,the NDC will come out with its official position on the election of MMDCEs'.He however stated that,the NDC was the first political party to talk about the election of MMDCEs' under president John Evans Attah Mills of blessed memory.And that,the election was to be partisan,with a total review of the Local Government Act which was to be placed under the direct supervision of the president.

In his personal views,there could be pros and cons in the election of MMDCEs' which needs serious consideration and analysis.
He said there should be a cost effective way of electing people at the local level and reducing the over partisanship in our body politics.

It can be confirmed that,a local radio station,PAD FM, which extensively covered the program has lined up series of activities both in the electoral areas and on radio,aimed at helping the electorates to make informed decisions on 17th December,2019.

The function which was held at the Peace and Unity centre at Damongo and chaired by Chief Abdallah Tolodompewura,brought together the clergy,youth and women groups in the church,opinion leaders,the media among others.

Source:Ananpansah B Abraham (AB)

Damongo:Applications for transfer of votes in limbo as network adapter,UPS devices breakdown

Damongo:Applications for transfer of votes in limbo as network adapter,UPS devices breakdown

The applications for the transfer of votes and proxy voting has been brought to a standstill in the Savannah Regional Capital, Damongo.

This follows a total breakdown of a network adapter and an Uninterruptible Power Supply/Uninterruptible Power Source(UPS) devices.

The network adapter is used to communicate over a network and generate Internet Protocol(IP) address,whilst the UPS is used to "bridge the gap" and protect critical loads from main supply problems,including spikes,fluctuations, voltage dips,complete power failure using a dedicated battery.

Prospective voters,who wish to transfer their votes to their respective electoral areas to enable them vote in the 2019 referendum and District Assembly Elections have been left disappointed as a result of the situation,which has been pending for three days now.

When contacted,the District Electoral Commissioner disclosed that,the matter has dully been reported to Accra for further action.
He disclosed that,until the matter is tackled from above,there is little they can do at their level to salvage the worrying trend.

Residence who are worried over the situation have appealed to the electoral commission to come to their aid in order not to disenfranchise prospective voters.
They stated that,a national exercise of that character shouldn't have commenced without checking on the functionality of devices at the district,wondering how they will catch up with the rest of the districts across the country.

The Electoral Commission (EC) opened applications for the transfer of votes and proxy voting on Friday,October 25, 2019.
The applications will be received at all of EC’s district offices across the country until Sunday,November 4, 2019.

All security personnel who wishes to take part in the special voting,but do not have their votes in their respective districts are expected to do so,from 25th October,2019,to 4th November,2019.

Source:Ananpansah B Abraham (AB)

IDIF:Damongo to get $50K Cassava Processing Factory-DCE discloses

IDIF:Damongo to get $50K Cassava Processing Factory-DCE discloses

The District Chief Executive of West Gonja,hon. Saeed Muhazu Jibreal has revealed that the West Gonja District is set to get a $50,000 Cassava Processing Factory as part of the One District,One Factory flagship program being implemented by government.

In response to a question from a blogger/freelance journalist,Mr.Ananpansah B Abraham on the progress of work on the IDIF in the district at a meet the press series,he said 50 out of 189 applicants are to be selected to own and manage the factory.

According to him,the delay in the implementation of the program in the district is as a result of the lack of investor,adding that,the district has eventually been chosen to benefit from a $50k African Development Bank IDIF project.

"Under the IDIF,every district was tasked to send a proposal to the central government to sell to prospective investors.But unfortunately,we haven't had an investor because of where we are....We put forward a Cassava processing Factory to process gari, starch and many other products...What we did was to resend the proposal and God being on our side,about three months ago,I was called to Kumasi to attend a workshop under the African Development Bank.West Gonja has been chosen as one of the beneficiaries of a $50,000 IDIF under the Ministry of Special Development Initiative,"he said.

Under the One Village,One Dam initiative,he disclosed that dams have been constructed in the Kpiri,Mognori,Murugu and Laribanga communities.He further stated that,he has become aware of the broken down bridge under the IVID at Kpiri and that,the situation has been reported to feeder roads to ensure that a proper bridge is constructed for the people.He said the contractor has also been instructed to reconstruct the dam.

On electricity extension,he said his administration has extended electricity to some communities in the district and that,effort is being made to connect more communities, including Canteen New Town and Frafra settlements to the National Grid.

A total of 6,225 farmers in the district he said,were supported with subsidized agric inputs from 2017 to 2019 under the Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJ) initiative,whilst 25,000 certified improved cashew seedlings have been distributed to 446 farmers alongside with capacity building under government's Planting for Export and Rural Development programme.

As part of effort to reduce graduate and youth unemployment,he disclosed that,the National Builders Corps(NABCO) has since its inception in 2018,recruited a total of 409 graduates.The Youth Employment Agency,its twin sister from avaliable records,has recruited 453 young people under its various modules from 2017 to 2019.

Throwing light on the implementation of the Free SHS program in the district,he said so far,Ghc724,222.3 has been disbursed to cater for 2,527 students.The implementation of the LEAP programme has also seen a total amount of Ghc2,580,484 disbursed to cater for 11,347 beneficiary households,whilst 101 schools have been covered under the School Feeding Programme from 2016/2017 academic year to 2018/2019 academic year.

An account of Common Fund,GetFund and other donor sponsored projects such as the construction of KVIP toilets,drilling and construction of boreholes,completion of classroom blocks with ancillary facilities,procurement of electricity service poles and extension of electricity,major rehabilitation works, construction of CHPS compounds among others were given.

The District Coordinating Director,Mr.Petro Philimon in a welcome address indicated that,the meet the press which is a directive from the Minister of Local Government is aimed at disseminating government information and to receive feedback from citizens at the district level.
He reiterated that,the initiative which is first of its kind in the district,will go a long way to deepen democracy at the periphery through dialogue and accountability.

The common agenda of the district assembly in his view,is to eradicate poverty, diseases and hunger from the district.

Present also were:the District Police Commander,chiefs and opinion leaders, heads of institutions, students and the media.

Source:Ananpansah,B Abraham (AB)

Declaration of intent to contest as Assembly Man For Canteen Electoral Area-#WinWithAB

Declaration of intent to contest as Assembly Man For Canteen Electoral Area-#WinwithAB

Our help (And Victory) is in name of the Lord,the Maker of heaven and earth.
Fellow Canteen Yaara,compatriots,dear friends,ladies and gentlemen;my name is ANANPANSAH B ABRAHAM (AB) and I bring you warm salutations!

I have reflected soberly on the many loud and silent voices of members of our community. I have prayed fervently about the task ahead and my responsibility therefrom.
I have consulted widely with elders,opinion leaders,the gallant youth and women(my mothers), fathers,"children of our great community.
And haven't aggregated all these views and sober voices,I hold a strong conviction that I owe it a duty to God,my community and humanity to avail myself for the service of the community(the great CANTEEN) with you, for you and for us (in the larger interest).

In the spirit of service,winning with you and community development; I,ANANPANSAH B ABRAHAM (AB)(PROUD CANTEEN YAARO) solemnly declare my intention to contest for the position of Assembly Man for the Canteen Electoral Area.#WinWithAB.
MOTTO:Reformer with Results-Ready,Able,Willing.
CORE VALUES:Committed to community,dedicated to progress,accountable,action oriented, approachable, trusted voice, proven youth leadership,reviving communal labour....
#WinWithAB.One Canteen.One Destiny.Stronger Together!

As a Servant-leader,my years of dedicated community service coupled with my work as a community development advocate and development journalist put me in a better position to appreciate the many challenges and problems of our community and people.

From the last District Assembly Elections of which I contested and lost to the glory of God,I gathered momentum and motivation to engage more with the community...I advocated more for our community knowing very well the God-given mandate I owed the great Canteen beyond winning an election.My advocacy(voice) has brought a lot of change in the community. And I have a lot of achievements to count in due course.I have been actively involved and in fact,in most cases,led the charge in every aspect of development within the community (Canteen).

It's my firm resolve to make Canteen Electoral Area a shining example.I am committed to the development of our community and dedicated to its progress.I am ready to work and maintain a close collaboration with all development agents/agencies within and without the community.I have started a journey of reviving the spirit of Communal Labour in our community with the support of the youth.And I am passionate about consolidating that.
It is my vision to unearth the many potentials of the youth and women of our community through self-help projects and programs.It's time to get a working Area Council within the Canteen Zone.Unit Committees through regular meetings and engagements,must be empowered to work for the community.I am ready,willing and able to inject the fresh energy and voice needed to realise all these and more.We shall surely see visions!

A campaign based on issues and the many success stories is my hallmark.It's a campaign far removed from petty name-calling and mudslinging.I am prepared and ready to run a clean campaign .It's all about AB's vision of a reformed Canteen Electoral Area.We are a blessed people in a promising community.We have no reason to lug behind.

I am a calm voice of reason.I bring on board a new vision.New Direction.Proven and responsible leadership.Service with excellence.Common sense solutions.The choice is yours to get results with #AB.

I appreciate the groundswell of support,love and prayers for team #AB by the teaming youth,women and well-meaning members of our community.This is by dint of our hardwork and dedication to the progress and development of our community over the years.This enthusiasm will surely manifest ransomely at the polls.Insha Allah!

To win with you,I will need and value your prayers,counsel and support in whatever endeavor.

Brief Profile:

ANANPANSAH B ABRAHAM (AB);born,bread and buttered at Canteen,Brigade Line is a Teacher by profession,a Trained Community Radio Journalist/Advocate, professional Blogger/Writer.

He is a multiple award winner.His works as a community development and youth advocate have earned him many awards and recognition.

He had his early education at Canteen and St.Anne's respectively.
He holds a 3-Year Diploma in Basic Education from Bagabaga College of Education,a 4-Year Bachelor of Science in Public Administration from the University of Ghana and an international certificate in Community Radio,Youth and Advocacy from German Based DW Akademie.

FOR DEVELOPMENT AND PROGRESS,
VOTE ANANPANSAH B ABRAHAM (AB) As Assembly Man For Canteen Electoral Area

MOTTO:Reformer with Results-Ready,Able,Willing.
CORE VALUES:Committed to community,dedicated to progress,accountable,action oriented, approachable, trusted voice, proven youth leadership,reviving communal labour....
#WinWithAB.One Canteen.One Destiny.Stronger Together!

#Sanctioned by:Campaign Coordinator,Social Media Campaign Coordinator,Youth Working Team,Counsel of Elders.

For Sponsorship/Support/Counsel Call Or Watsappp 0241129910/0200794844

Site all decentralised departments of RCC at Damongo-Yagbonwura demands

Site all decentralised departments of RCC at Damongo-Yagbonwura demands

The Overlord of the Gonja Kingdom,Yagbonwura Tutumba Boresa I,has enjoined the Savannah Regional Minister to ensure that all the decentralised departments of the Regional Coordinating Council are located at the Regional Capital,Damongo.

Ghanaian Times and Daily Graphic publication of September 24,2019,advertised for the construction of regional offices in a decentralised manner for all the six newly created regions.

In the Savannah Region,of the four departments;North Gonja District will be hosting the Regional Health Directorate,Feeder Roads Department will be situated at Salaga in the East Gonja District,Regional Agricultural Directorate will go to Bole, whilst Damongo,the Regional Capital will host the Regional Education Directorate.

In an interview with PAD FM after a close door meeting with the Regional Minister,the Registrar of the Gonja Traditional Council,Mr.Abutu Kapori disclosed that it will be a betrayal of trust if Yagbonwura accepts a region with such dispersed departments.

According to him,the Overlord has directed the minister to relay to government that he has not accepted and will not accept such an arrangement.

"Yagbonwura wants all the regional departments to be sited at Damongo....This was the reason why he demanded for the region.Yagbonwura says if he was to be aware that this was the way the region was going to be structured,he wouldn't have demanded for it.When you look at the youth that came to my palace to protest against the decision,they are made up of different tribes.The teaming youth have indicated that they will feel highly betrayed and disappointed if the Overlord accepts such a decision, since that was not the region they fought and voted for,"he reiterated.

He appealed to the youth to remain calm whilst Yagbonwura intercede on their behalf to resolve the standoff.

The Regional Minister assured Jira that as a messenger,he will accordingly carry his concerns to the president.

The youth of Damongo under the auspices of Damongo Youth Parliament(DYP) in an earlier meeting with the Regional Minister and his entourage at the RCC maintained their earlier stance.They believe dispersing the coordinating departments will unnecessary increase administrative cost and affect the efficiency and effectiveness of these departments in coordinating development within the region.

"They said the decision to decentralise beyond the unsubstantiated justifications is an afterthought. According to them,instead of decentralising departments, let's rather concentrate on decentralising development and improving the working of the various district assemblies in the region.

We are fighting for the best interest of the entire region and not for an individual or some groups of people.We are the voices that must own the region and we must stand for the region for the seek of posterity,"Mr.Ananpansah B Abraham,one of the youth leaders disclosed in an interview with Akilu Gideon of PAD FM.

Meanwhile,the chairman of the liaison committee that canvassed support for the creation of the region believes the Overlord is not being given the right briefing.He argues that, the decentralisation is a state policy and once we're in a unitary state and not a federal state, the people of the Savannah Region must not be seen as taking a position that flouts state policy.

He stated that,practical decentralisation such that various departments are spread across the districts was key in the argument for the creation of the Savannah Region. And that the impression should not be created as if the Regional Minister was behind the current policy.

Most social media commentators have however,described his stance and arguments as flawed and lame, since the region must be owned by the people.

Source:Ananpansah B Abraham

NPP primaries:I swear to God;I will descend heavily on NDC destructors-DCE vows

NPP primaries:I swear to God;I will descend heavily on NDC destructors-DCE vows

The District Chief Executive for West Gonja,hon.Saaed Muhazu Jibreal has vowed faithfully,to deal with a stonyheart,any member of the opposition NDC who is contemplating destructing the upcoming NPP parliamentary primaries.

Ahead of the primaries scheduled for Saturday September 28,the NPP in Damongo constituency decorated the premises of Damongo SHS,which is to serve as the venue,with NPP flags and paraphernalias.

A situation which has since aroused political cross fire within the constituency with the NDC describing the action as a blatant disregard for the GES directive which bans political activities in Senior High Schools across the country.They expressed a determination to visit the premises to see things for themselves,calling on the appropriate authorities to investigate the matter and take the necessary action.

The DCE who got wind of the happenings,said on a local based radio station,PAD FM that,as chairman of the District Security Council,he will not countenance any attempt to destabilise Damongo and the district at large.He appealed to the NDC to stay away from the premises of the NPP primaries in their own interest.

He disclosed that,there was going to be heavy security presence and surveillance at the venue to deal compassionately with destructive NDC lawbreakers.

"I am asking:is this the first time a political activity is being held at DASS.Is NDC saying they've never held a program at the school...But I want to throw a caution,if you think you can take the law into your hands and fuel tension, I'll let the law take its course.You can be anybody,I won't joke with you.The NPP has the right to use the facility...What is the noise about this whole thing? I insist and I repeat myself; anybody who takes the law into his hands and goes there to cause any destruction, I swear to God that the law is going to take its cause,"he fumed.

He further stated,"NPP is having its program and non NPP members must stay off!....I have called the Regional Police Commander.I have called the District Police Commander and we are going to put surveillance there for 24-hours.Anybody who goes there to cause mayhem will he held responsible".

Meanwhile,the NPP in a press conference accused the incumbent MP as being behind the diabolic machinations to run down the their yet-to-be endorsed parliamentary candidate and destruct Saturday's primaries.

According to them,it's evident that former president Mahama was never denied access to the school premises as the NDC wants the unsuspecting public to believe.

They believe the current action of the NDC is aimed at covering up the incompetence of their parliamentary candidate,describing him as a massive failure.

Source:Ananpansah B Abraham

Branding of Damongo SHS in NPP colors blatant disregard for GES directive-NDC

Branding of Damongo SHS in NPP colors blatant disregard for GES directive-NDC

The Savannah Regional Communication Bureau of the NDC is raising red flags over the flooding of Damongo Senior High School in NPP colors.

Ahead of their parliamentary primaries scheduled for Saturday September 28,the NPP in Damongo constituency decorated the premises of the school with party flags and paraphernalias arousing political cross fire within the constituency.

The NDC in a press conference addressed by its Communication Director,Mr.Malik Basintale describe the action as a blatant disregard for the GES directive banning political activities in Senior High Schools across the country.

Recounting history, he said former president Mahama was ever denied access to the same facility in the name of implementing the so called GES directive.

He called on the appropriate agencies to investigate the matter and take the necessary action,since the action of the NPP was distracting academic work in the school.

Read the full statement below:

PRESS CONFERENCE BY THE SAVANNAH REGIONAL -NDC ON THE BRANDING OF DAMONGO SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL IN NPP COLORS, THE ABUSE OF POWER AND FLOUTING OF GES BAN ON POLITICAL ACTIVITIES ON SECOND CYCLE INSTITUTIONS BY THE NPP.

26TH SEPTEMBER, 2019.

Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen of the press.

Permit me to thank you on behalf of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) for honoring our call even with the urgent nature of our invitation. As the fourth arm of governance, we appreciate your sense of duty whenever we call upon you and we wish to continue in that beautiful relationship we have been enjoying with you especially here in the Savannah Region.

Friends from the Media
Todays Press conference will be brief and straight to the point as we wish to expose and set the records straight on one of the hypocritical attitudes of the Akufo-Addo led Government that may soon undermine the beautiful democratical adherence we have been enjoying since the fourth republic.

We may all remember sometime back in August Last year(2018) that a letter was issued by the Ghana Education Service signed by the Head of public relations Unit, Cassandra Twum Ampofo, directing all Headmasters not to allow for political activities on various Senior High schools after a National Organiser aspirant Mr.Joshua Akamba of the NDC visited a Senior high school in the tempane district where students out of disappointment in the Failed promises of this Government decided to pour out their grievances of unhealthy living conditions in their institution. Mr. Akamba was immediately invited to the BNI quarters for questioning as to why he was found engaging in a political activity on that institution and a subsequent attempt to charge him before court for prosecution.

Mr. Dominic Ndego, the Headmaster of that institution was also Reprimanded outrightly by this government even at the backs of public and legal defence for the headteacher.

Ladies and gentlemen, this was quiet surprising to the general public most especially to political parties who contested before and in the 2016 elections because the Habit of costantly visiting senior high schools to hold political activities and campaigns was one very known to the NPP especially with the then running mate Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia who was seen on several occasions visiting senior high schools around the country and giving them unimaginable promises on a daily basis. This attitude wasnt different with some other big-wings of the NPP such as Hajia Alima Mahama among others. Evidence to all the above will be provided in visual form for substantiation.

Friends from the media, a test to the directive given by this government in banning political activities on various second cycle institutions was seen when the former president of Ghana H.E John Dramani Mahama was embarking on his campaign to lead the NDC as flag bearer into the 2020 elections.

A letter was issued on behalf of the former president John Dramani Mahama in February this year 2019 seeking access to the Damongo Senior High school Assembly Hall where the program was to be held. Exactly 24 hours to the program a reply was given from the school authorities highlighting the ban of Political activities on various institutions and denying us access to the facility.

Friends from the media, Two days ago, the entire savannah region woke up to see the same Damongo Senior high school in full NPP gown as though the school had been auctioned to the NPP as a branch of their headquarters in damongo. The entire school currently has been branded in NPP colors and Posters/banners of Samuel Abu Jinapor and preparations by national, regional and constituency executives of the NPP are seriously ongoing there destructing academic work on the institution. This constitutes an infringement on the rights of the students, an abuse on the academic discourse and a violation of same GES directive re-implemented months ago.

The same Damongo Senior High school that was used as a test grounds in implementing the GES directive when the H.E John Mahama was visiting few months ago today is being used as the ultimate venue for the NPP’s Saturday primaries. What a shock!

We call on all the GES, civil society groups and all agencies concerned to investigate this matter and the necessary actions taken as prescribed. we can’t pride ourselves as people who practice democracy and the very actors of government who are supposed to uphold the dictates of the law being the lead culprits in flouting and abusing the same law.

We thank you all for coming.

-signed-
Malik Basintale
(Savannah Regional Com Officer-NDC)

Source:Ananpansah B Abraham

No amount of money sharing can win you Damongo seat-NDC chides Deputy Chief of Staff

No amount of money sharing can win you Damongo seat-NDC chides Deputy Chief of Staff

The National Democratic Congress in the Damongo constituency has taken a swipe at the NPP's parliamentary candidate,Lawyer Abu Jinapor,describing his chances of winning the Damongo seat as very thin on the ground.

In a statement signed by its Communication Director, Mr.Mumuni Yahaya,the NDC said it was reckless for the "sole tyrant of a candidate who works at the flagstaff house to flood his posters at undesignated locations,such as sign post and speed limits.

This they said was endangering the lives of drivers and pedestrians as it reduces visibility and breaches major traffic regulations.

According to the NDC,the Damongo seat is very safe and in good custody of the incumbent MP,hon.Adam Mutawakilu,adding that,"no amount of money and Kenkey sharing can safe the face of NPP from defeat in the constituency".

Read full statement below:

For immediate release

NDC Damongo Constituency Communication Bureau

16th September,2019.

Desperation clouds right reasoning of Damongo sole NPP candidate as reckless posting of posters endangers lives of passengers and pedestrians

The attention of the Communication Bureau of the National Democratic Congress of Damongo constituency has been drawn to the reckless posting of NPP parliamentary candidate's posters at unauthorised locations ahead of their parliamentary primaries.

These posters and flyers which have been flooded along the major streets and towns of Damongo constituency,have carelessly been mounted on sign posts and speed limits that are supposed to direct pedestrians and motorist.

Specific mention can be made of Buyanto,Achubunyo through to Tailorpe along the Damongo to Tamale road.

This unfortunate development is posing a danger to drivers and users of the road alike,as it reduces visibility and breaches major traffic regulations.

Drivers, pedestrians and residents alike have raised red flags about the situation and as a responsible opposition, we deem it very necessary to call on the appropriate authority to act as a matter of public interest.

All effort to get the 'Buipe borger who is soo desperate to capture power in Damongo at the drop of blood to take off these posters has proven futile.

It's important to note that,this singular act is not only against traffic regulations, but is highly illegal and breeches common sense.And the NPP Candidate who is tauted to be a lawyer should have known better...Does he expect us to elect him as an MP with this attitude of blatant disregard for the common law.

It's important to also remind the sole NPP candidate(or so he calls himself), who has succeeded in buying himself into the constituency that,the road which he is consciously making unsafe today with his desperate tactics was constructed by the NDC administration.

Also,the modern streetlights which came along with the said road project have become dysfunctional for months now without any effort to replace the faulty lamps.

We are also aware that an amount of 40 million dollars which was designated after the construction of the road (Damongo-Fulfulso road) for routine maintenence work has since been squandered by the current administration without a single of such maintenence work happening.

It should be a worry to the NPP that this "sole tyrant of a candidate who works at the flagstaff has shown clearly that he has no faith and hope in the chances of his boss, Nana Akuffo-Addo. Reasons why he is going round campaigning and trying to buy the conscience of the people to vote for him as MP and endorse John Mahama, the NDC candidate as president.This is a sign of ungratefulness!

It's important to remind the NPP and its "Money bag " that,posters don't win elections.The Damongo seat is safe and in good custody of hon. Adam Mutawakilu (Galus).

No amount of money sharing and Kenkey sharing can safe the face of NPP from defeat.The people of Damongo constituency are worth more than money.It seems the whole money in the flagstaff house is brought to Damongo,but that will not still safe NPP from a humiliating defeat in the constituency.

We can assure the NPP and their desperate candidate that we'll resist any attempt to endanger the lives of constituents in their wild thirst for power.

We wish to once again call on the appropriate authorities, particularly, the MTTU department of the Ghana Police Service,city authorities to act urgently on the matter in the larger interest.

Signed:

Mumuni Yahaya (aka Kiyoyo)

Communications Officer, NDC

0241279158


Source:Ananpansah B Abraham

36-year-old farmer allegedly beats wife to death

36-year-old farmer allegedly beats wife to death
 

A 36-year old farmer at NyangeKoraa,suburb of Sawla-Tuna-Kalba District of the newly created Savannah Region has allegedly beaten his wife to death.

The enraged man identified as Samba Sochira,36,swat her with blows to her untimely death after she ostensibly tried to prevent him from marrying a second wife.

The duo according sources have been battling with matrimonial issues,ever since,the man made known to his wife,his intentions
to marry a second wife.

Adjoa Lupo,22,finally gave up the ghost Saturday,September 14,at the Sawla Polyclinic after suffering from a state profound unconsciousness.

The situation has since sent shivers down the spines of residents who are wondering the motivation behind the action of the man.

Worried residents who spoke on grounds of anonymity said,Samba Sochire married a second wife which has since strained his relationship with the deceased wife,after she aggressively objected and tried to block the second marriage to futility.

Close neighbours of the duo disclosed that,no day passes without a verbal conflict ensuing between the couple as a result of the matrimonial acrimony.

The District police Commander,ASP Degrapht Armah Agyei confirmed the incident to Yagbon News.

According to the  Commander,the suspect has been apprehended and in the custody of the police assisting in investigations.

A post- mortem performed on the deceased revealed that she suffered a hypovolemic shock due to internal bleeding thus,a rupture spree depicts.

Investigation is still ongoing to unravel the truth of the matter.

The deceased has been released to the family for burial.

Source:Ananpansah B Abraham

Savannah Region:youth protest decision to site regional departments outside capital

Savannah Region:youth protest decision to site regional departments outside capital

A section of the youth in the newly created Savannah Region under the auspices of Damongo Youth Parliament is protesting the decision by government to situate critical regional departments outside the Regional Capital.

There was uneasy calm after news broke that the Savannah Regional Coordinating Council intends to site three of the four regional departments secured for the region outside the Regional Capital,Damongo.

According to the information gathered,the Regional Health Directorate bearing any last minute changes,will be sited at Salaga in the East Gonja District,the Regional Agric Office will be at Bole in the Bole District, whilst the Regional Feeder Roads Department will be situated at Daboya in the North Gonja District.
Of the four so far,the only office to be located at the Regional Capital, Damongo,is the Regional Education Directorate.

This distribution however,is not going down well with the youth,since,they hold the conviction that;it will increase administrative cost,create room for poor coordination among major departments in the region and promote inefficiency in central administration.

In a protest match by Damongo Youth Parliament,the youth at the Jakpa Palace registered their displeasure before Yagbonwura and his elders,demanding a reversal of the decision.

Mr.Ananpansah B Abraham,a leader in the parliament for instance argues in an interview on PAD FM that,all regional departments with direct links to the central administration or bureaucracy of the region must be located in the regional capital for easy administration,adding that,"the RCC and its departments are to coordinate development in the region and must not be dispersed".

He said they are not against the decentralisation of departments or development to the other districts,but looking at the larger picture, any attempt to dislocate certain core departments of the RCC far away from the centre will slow down the pace of central administration and coordination and affect the development of the entire region.

The Yagbonwura who spoke through his chief linguist warmly received the youth,assuring that their voices were going to count.
He said they also heard the news through a local radio station,PAD FM.

A meeting between the youth,the Overlord and the Regional Minister was convened where His Royal Majesty echoed the voices of the youth.
He said proverbially that,you cannot give a bull to a landlord as a gift and dictate to him how to distribute the meat after killing it.
In effect,the blueprint being used to distribute the regional departments in a bid to develop the infant Savannah Region does not settle down well with the masses and the Traditional Council.

The Regional Minister,hon.Salifu Adam Braimah in a response,which was further carried in a press briefing said he was only implementing the vision of the president for the six new regions.
He disclosed that unlike the older regions,it was the intention of government to decentralise development and government instalments in the new regions to the other districts.This paradigm shift which was announced before the creation of the region he reiterated,was to promote even and equitable distribution of the regional cake.

He said now that the matter is before the chief petitioner,His Royal Majesty Yagbonwura Tutumba Boresa 1,useful suggestions can be made to the president on the road map for Savannah Region.

Yagbonwura has thus disclosed that,since he does not rule the kingdom alone,a meeting of all paramount chiefs in the Traditional Area will be held on Thursday August 12,2019.A decision on the matter will be taken therefrom and conveyed to the president through a delegation.

The youth group satisfied with proceedings thus far,is scheduled to announce its next line of action very soon.

Source:Ananpansah B Abraham

Arrest and prosecute NYA CEO,two deputies-NDC youth

Arrest and prosecute NYA CEO,two deputies-NDC youth

The youth wing of the NDC in the newly created Savannah Region is clamoring for an immediate arrest and prosecution of the Chief Executive Officer of the National Youth Authority and his two deputies.

The youth front in a statement signed by its Regional Youth Organiser,Mr.Mahama Inusah describes as regrettable the extent to which the NYA is joining in the "relay race of corruption and stealing of state resources.

President Nana Addo Danquah Akuffo-Addo dismissed Mr.Emmanuel Sin-Nyet Asigri,CEO of NYA and his two deputies;Mr.Richard Ebbah Obeng and Mr. Bright Acheampong over stated acts of corruption and procurement breeches at the authority.

Termination letters directed to the trio by the Minister of Sports,hon. Isaac Asiamah instructed them to handover to the Director of Projects of the Authority,Mr.Emmanuel Anaman-Mensah and cease to act not later than close of business on Wednesday,September 4,2019.

The NDC believes however that,the three gentlemen do not deserve any terminal benefits or facilities as stated,adding that,"We'll take the next step if the president refuses to heed our call".

Read below the full statement:

Press Release

For Immediate Release

4th September, 2019

SAVANNAH REGIONAL NDC YOUTH WING DEMANDS THE IMMEDIATE ARREST AND PROSECUTION OF THE CEO AND DEPUTY CEOs OF NYA.

The NDC Youth Wing in the Savannah Region has taken note of developments in the National Youth Authority in respect of procurement breaches and violations of the laws of Ghana. We regret to add our voice to the many calls made by well meaning Ghanaians on President Nana Addo and the NPP government to act swiftly and genuinely to redeem the image of the National Youth Authority which we fall under.

It’s regrettable that an institution such as the NYA which is suppose to be an embodiment of the youth of Ghana has also joined the relay race of corruption and stealing of state resources. Our expectations as a youth wing has been that, the upcoming generations will take inspiration from such an enviable institution, unfortunately, due to the institutionalization of corruption by the Nana Addo led government, the NYA has just cut their share of the corruption cake. The dismissal of the trio is an admission of crime and crime comes with punishment within the remits of the laws of Ghana.

The Savannah Regional Youth Wing of the NDC is therefore demanding an immediate arrest and prosecution of the dismissed Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Youth Authority (NYA), Mr Emmanuel Sin-nyet Asigri and his two deputies Mr. Richard Ebbah Obeng and Bright Acheampong. We also demand that the directive given by the Ministry of Youth and Sports to the effect that the trio should proceed to take home taxpayers money as their benefits after committing a crime such as stealing and misappropriation should be withdrawn with immediate effect. Any dime paid to the trio would amount to further stealing and misapplication of state funds.

We will take the next step if President Nana Addo refuses to heed our call.

Thank you.

-Signed-
Alhaji Mahama Inusah
(Reg. Youth Org. S/R)

Contact: 024 401 6423


Source:Ananpansah B. Abraham

Presidency now organised crime agency for looting and milking Ghana "dry"-Sammy Gyamfi

Presidency now organised crime agency for looting and milking Ghana "dry"-Sammy Gyamfi

The National Communication Officer of the National Democratic Congress(NDC),Mr.Sammy Gyamfi has revealed  that,the Akuffo-Addo led NPP administration has reduced the seat of government to an Organised Crime Agency for looting and milking Ghana dry.

In a series dubbed,"Moment of Truth,"monitored by Ghanaweb's Ananpansah B Abraham,he said the "Donkomi" Contracts for Sale Documentary has exposed big time,the weakness of the current government in fighting corruption.

According to him,corruption is now pervasive and deep-seated in Ghana,adding that,"Akuffo-Addo government has turned the whole government apparatus into an organised crime agency for the sole purpose of looting and milking the state dry without shame or conscience."

Among other things,the NDC demanded the immediate dismissal of A.B Adjei;the CEO of the Public Procurement Authority(PPA),the dissolution of PPA board for complicity and the arrest and prosecution of Mr.A.B.Adjei.

Read the full statement below:

A MOMENT OF TRUTH PRESS CONFERENCE ADDRESSED BY THE NATIONAL COMMUNICATION OFFICER OF THE NDC, COMRADE SAMMY GYAMFI ON THE PPA- “DONKOMI” CONTRACTS FOR SALE SCANDAL

28/08/19

Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen of the press. I welcome you all to today’s edition of “Moment of Truth”. On behalf of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), I would like to thank all of you for your diligent pursuit of the truth in our governance and development process.

Friends from the media, we have invited you here to address you on the damning revelations of corruption contained in the “Donkomi -  Contracts for Sale" exposé by freelance Journalist, Manasseh Azure Awuni. We particularly commend your colleague, Manasseh Azure Awuni for defying the odds to conduct this splendid expose’ which has brought to light yet again the naked rape of the public purse by the Akufo-Addo government.

Truth, they say, cannot be suppressed. Try submerging it in water and it will emerge more forcefully than before. Try burying it in the sand, and it will sprout like a seed. This is what the Akufo Addo government has refused to see; the reason for which the government keeps getting exposed and embarrassed almost every single day.

Ladies and Gentlemen of the press, we do know from the “Donkomi” Contracts for Sale Documentary, that Talent Discovery Limited (TDL), a private company incorporated as recently as June 2017 and partly owned by an appointee of President Akufo-Addo, Mr. A.B Adjei, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Public Procurement Authority (PPA), has been shortlisted and awarded at least 14 contracts by several Ministries and state Agencies in the last two (2) years. Even more worrying is the fact that, 13 of these contracts were awarded under restricted tendering to TDL in violation of Section 38 of the Public Procurement Law. We also know, that these contracts were in turn fraudulently sold by TDL to other companies with the acquiescence and/or approval of the awarding MDA’s and State Agencies.

Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, the NDC is unsurprisingly scandalized by these chilling revelations contained in the "Donkomi - Contracts for Sale" Expose’ which shows how pervasive and deep-seated corruption has become under the Akufo-Addo government. This scandal further reveals, how officials of the Akufo-Addo government have turned the whole government apparatus into an organized crime agency for the sole purpose of looting and milking the state dry without shame or conscience.

It is important to state, that the PPA scandal goes beyond the person of Mr. A.B Adjei and his fraudulent TDL Company, who are now being used as a smokescreen to conceal a whole syndicate of organized crime in the high echelons of this government. We say so because the contracts which have been awarded to TDL in the last two (2) years emanated from, and in fact, were awarded by several Ministries and State Agencies such as the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Roads and Highways, Ministry of Works and Housing, Ministry of Special Development Initiatives, Ministry of Inner Cities & Zongo Development, Cocobod, Ghana Water Company Limited, the Bank of Ghana, just to mention a few. It is evident from the “Donkomi” expose’ that these State Institutions threw the national interest to the dogs and kept shortlisting and awarding various juicy contracts to TDL under restricted tender even when they knew that the company was not executing the contracts. It is therefore clear to us, that behind this whole scandal is a long chain of MDAs and various state actors who either initiated, aided, facilitated and/or abetted the corrupt activities of TDL. Therefore, to narrow this down to Mr. A.B Adjei is to attempt to solve a deep-rooted problem from the top.

Friends from the media, it is clear from the “Donkomi” documentary that the group of people who are currently governing our beloved Ghana have no interest in addressing the socio-economic challenges that confront Ghanaians other than their selfish, narrow and parochial interest. As such, instead of awarding contracts to credible, competent and deserving companies, the Akufo-Addo government chose to award as many as 14 contracts to a phoney company, TDL whose intention was never to execute any of the awarded contracts other than selling same to other Companies with questionable capacities. This perhaps explains why the Akufo-Addo government has failed woefully to deliver any significant infrastructural developments in the country despite being the most resourced government in Ghana’s history.

The NDC is deeply worried and appalled at the alarming rate and increased spate of corruption under the watch of President Akufo-Addo. Ladies and gentlemen, you would recall how in the run up to the 2016 General Elections, then Candidate Akufo-Addo promised Ghanaians that he was going to protect the public purse if elected, and indeed rode on the back of an anti-corruption campaign into office. However, since assuming office, President Akufo-Addo has forgotten about his solemn pledge to fight corruption and has rather elevated the canker to an unprecedented level.

Ladies and gentlemen, the conduct of Mr. AB Adjei as captured in the “Donkomi” documentary is only a reflection of the grand corruption and in some cases daylight heist that is being practised at the topmost echelons of the Akufo-Addo government. Under the almost three (3) years tenure of President Akufo-Addo, it’s been one stinky corruption scandal after the other with no end in sight. The NPP’s famous campaign rhetoric of ID1F has now metamorphosed into One Day, One Fraud, thereby creating a traffic jam of corruption cases in the minds of Ghanaians.

According to the Center for Democratic Development (CDD), Ghana has lost a whopping 9.6 Billion Ghana Cedis to corruption since President Akufo-Addo assumed office in 2017. Surprisingly, this amount far exceeds the amount of GHS3.6 billion which has so far been invested in the main flagship program and much-touted Free SHS program of the Akufo-Addo government.

Today, President Akufo-Addo prioritizes the promotion of corruption and spares no opportunity to defend the corrupt activities of his errant appointees. He has perfected the act of being a clearing agent of corruption in his government. His failure to live up to his much-vaunted anti-corruption credentials and punish corruption on the part of his appointees is what has emboldened many in his government to engage in corruption with such brazenness and boldness.

Aside normalizing the practice of corruption in his government, President Akufo-Addo himself is not left out of the ongoing rot in his government, as evidenced by the executive approval he gave for the fraudulent and highly inflated mytelineous deal through which Ghana would have lost a whopping $800m but for the vigilance of the NDC minority caucus in parliament.

These are the reasons why Corruption has become a very attractive and profitable venture in Ghana today, as it is one's surest ticket to promotion under President Akufo-Addo. In fact, it is safe to conclude that the fight against corruption has been lost under the watch of President Akufo-Addo.

Distinguished friends from the media, part of the reasons why President Akufo-Addo is to be blamed for the stinky PPA scandal is the very appointment of the PPA CEO, Mr. A.B Adjei. Ladies and gentlemen, the mandate of the PPA is to curb fraud and corruption in the procurement of goods, services and works by Public Institutions. Hence, persons who are appointed to head that sensitive institution must be men of high and unimpeachable integrity.

As you may be aware, Mr. A.B Adjei was indicted and dismissed together with others during his days at the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) for financial misappropriation of about $72 million as far back as 2003, thereby bringing into question his integrity and moral standing. This begs the questions as to why of all the distinguished people in the NPP, it was Mr. A.B Adjei that President Akufo-Addo could appoint to the crucial and highly honorable position of CEO of the Public Procurement Authority. Obviously, a man of such low moral standing cannot be expected to be above-board in his dealings at such a critical entity.

What has suddenly happened to the deafening chorus of “We Have The Men" by the NPP in opposition? Or was it the President’s own penchant for corruption that drove him to overlook the competent men and women in the NPP and rather appointed a man already tainted with graft and sleaze, whom he thought could help him perpetuate his corruption and state capture agenda? Your guess is as good as mine.

Friends from the media, the NDC is irked by the funny and puny knee-jerk reactions taken by the President since this matter broke. The President has resorted to his usual face-saving gimmicks by suspending the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the PPA pending investigations by the Special Prosecutor and CHRAJ into the matter. The NDC holds the view, that the suspension of Mr. A.B Adjei to all intents and purposes, is not deterrent enough. We think that the damning acts of corruption which Mr. A.B Adjei is captured in the “Donkomi” documentary as engaging in including his own confessions should have at worst, been met with an outright dismissal for other actions to follow.

We believe that this suspension of Mr. A.B Adjei is yet another ruse which is only meant to deceive Ghanaians into seeing his government as one that is committed to the fight against corruption. But, the good people of Ghana are discerning and will not be hoodwinked by this face-saving gimmick. They know too well how similar cases of suspensions under President Akufo-Addo ended with a recall and sometimes promotion of such errant appointees.

Furthermore, we ask why the Governing Board of the PPA, an accomplice in this grand corruption is still in place? Ladies and gentlemen, it is important to state, that the suspension of the CEO of PPA is meaningless unless it is linked to the immediate dissolution of the PPA Board. We say so because, it was the PPA Board which despite knowing that Mr. A.B Adjei is a shareholder of TDL, went ahead to approve the award of as many as 14 contracts to the company under restricted tender in flagrant disregard for the Public Procurement Law and in contravention of all acceptable principles of fairness and openness.

The PPA Board failed in their duty to observe the provisions of the Public Procurement Law and the rules against conflict of interest, but rather aided and abetted the corrupt activities of Mr. AB Adjei and his TDL. The complicity of the PPA Board in this scandal is beyond doubt and obvious even to the uninitiated. For the board of  the PPA to claim that they don't play a role in the award of contracts is very unfortunate, as this constitutes an abdication of their fiduciary role as a board. What are they being paid for?

We submit that the continuous stay in office of the PPA Board is a clear testament of the fact that President Akufo-Addo has no genuine interest to unravel the full extent of this scurrilous sandal and is not committed to the fight against corruption. This fact becomes even more glaring when the lackluster disposition of President Akufo-Addo on this matter is juxtaposed with the alacrity with which he dissolved the governing Board of the Ghana Cylinder Manufacturing Company (GCMC) who ironically, were fighting against the procurement violations and corrupt deals of the CEO of the company, Madam Frances Essiam.

Also, we wish to ask why the Ministers and relevant officers in charge of procurement in the Ministries of Works and Housing, Roads and Highways, Education, Special Development Initiative, and the Heads of COCOBOD, GWCL, BOG, etc are still at post. We know that the procurement processes relative to the 14 contracts which have been awarded to TDL emanated from and were actually awarded by these State Institutions. We also know, that TDL illegally sold these contracts to other companies with the acquiescence or approval of some of these Ministries and State Agencies.

The NDC holds the view, that all Ministers and state actors who in one way or the other initiated, facilitated or participated in the award of contracts to TDL and the subsequent sale of those contracts to other companies must be suspended forthwith. The scope of investigations into this scandal must be expanded to include all these complicit MDA’s and State Agencies. Only then, can we stand a chance of unraveling the full extent of this stinky corruption scandal.

However, the critical question we have to ask ourselves is whether or not Ghanaians can trust President Akufo-Addo to deal decisively with this matter given how similar cases have been handled with flippant disregard for accountability by him in the past. If for nothing at all, we know that the suspension of the former Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports, Hon. Pious Hadzide in the matter of the Australian Visa fraud scandal and the complaint filed by the President to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) against Mr Kwesi Nyantakyi following Anas’ Number 12 Expose’ yielded no results whatsoever. They were all a camouflage which were meant to dissuade Ghanaians from talking about those scandals at the time. The NDC will therefore not be surprised if the clearing agent does so again.

If we may ask, since when did the President start believing in the competence and decisions of CHRAJ? Not too long ago, President Akufo-Addo disregarded adverse findings made by CHRAJ against his cousin and Finance Minister, Hon. Ken Ofori Atta over the issuance of the 2.25 Billion Eurobond. Does it not smack of odious hypocrisy for him to now petition CHRAJ to investigate the latest PPA scandal? What is the guarantee that this time around he will accept and act on the findings and recommendations of CHRAJ?

Besides, ladies and gentlemen, given recent complaints by the Special Prosecutor about how appointees of President Akufo-Addo have been frustrating and sabotaging his mandate, the NDC doubts whether anything good can and will come out of the investigations of the Office of the Special Prosecutor into this matter. We do not think that the SP will get the needed cooperation from the relevant MDAs and state actors to conduct credible investigation into this matter, especially now that several of these persons and institutions stand indicted in this scandal.

CONCLUSION
Distinguished friends from the media, it goes with saying that the PPA ''Donkomi - Contracts for Sale" scandal is yet another classic in the Akufo-Addo government's league of rotten skulduggery to ever hit our nation. Perhaps even more disturbing is the President's numbness to the rising spate of corruption in his government. In the circumstances, we believe that once again, President Akufo-Addo is demonstrating bad faith to his own avowed fight against corruption in this matter. We are therefore calling on the President to for once demonstrate his so-called moral high ground on the subject of corruption by taking the following immediate and uncompromising actions to save his sinking reputation;

1. We demand the immediate dismissal of Mr. A.B Ajei for this egregious crime, rather than the mild suspension that has been handed to him.

2. We demand the immediate dissolution of the PPA Board for complicity, and abetment of this heinous crime, or for sleeping on their job.

3. The suspension of all actors in the various MDA's and agencies who played various roles in aiding and abetting the procurement of dubious contracts by TDL pending a forensic investigation into this matter.

4. We demand the immediate arrest and prosecution of Mr. A.B Adjei,
as well other officials of TDL such as the General Manager, Directors and other stakeholders of the company.

Anything short of the above decisive actions will go a long to fortify wide public opinion which was recently amplified by Dr. Nyaho Tamakloe, that corruption under Akufo-Addo is the worst ever, and that President Akufo-Addo will go down as the most corrupt President in Ghana's history.

We thank you for your attention and may God bless our homeland Ghana.

Signed.
SAMMY GYAMFI
(NATIONAL COMMUNICATION OFFICER, NDC).

Source:Ananpansah B Abraham (AB)