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)