World Vision donates medical items worth US$23,000.00 to East Gonja Municipal Health Directorate

World Vision donates medical items worth US$23,000.00 to East Gonja Municipal Health Directorate

World Vision Ghana has donated medical equipment valued at US$23,000.00 to the East Gonja Municipal Health Directorate in the East Gonja Municipal of the Savannah Region.

At a brief ceremony to hand over the items, the East Gonja Municipal Area Manager of World Vision, Patrick Maraa Tachin said World Vision was undertaking several interventions accross Ghana in the areas of education, advocacy, community engagement; health,water hygiene and sanitation (WASH).

This he indicated was aimed at ensuring livelihood empowerment  and supporting children to live life to its fullest.

The Items include: 

• 231 boxes of CPE (disposable gowns) medical gowns (4,620 pieces). 

• 154 boxes of isolation gowns (15,400 pieces).

• 4 boxes of Infantometers (8 pieces).

• 8 gallons of hand sanitizers.

• 630 pieces of 330ml container of hand Sanitizers.

According to him,the organization was currently carrying out community-based monitoring, community-led advocacy and research in the Municipality aimed at promoting child wellbeing and improved health outcomes, adding that, the donation of the Gift-in-kind (GIK) medical items was worth Twenty Three Thousand United States of America Dollars (US$23,000.00).

He explained that capacity building at the community level in Primary Healthcare and nutrition programmes are major areas of focus for World Vision Ghana.

To this end,he said the organization was therefore working closely with the health directorates within the respective programme areas to revitalize and strengthen Community Health Committees(COMM) under the Ghana Health Service community based Health Planning and Service (CHPS) programme through capacity building volunteerism in order to influence Social and Behavior Change Communication (SBCC).

Whilst acknowledging the effort by the various health directorates in ensuring child wellbeing,he reiterated the readiness of World Vision to support and partner the Municipal Assembly and its decentralized agencies and key stakeholders to improve the wellbeing of children.

The East Gonja Municipal Chief Executive, Richard Broni who received the items on behalf of the Municipal Health Directorate expressed gratitude to the organization for the kind gesture.

He believes the items when handed over to the health directorate will be put into good use in order to augment effort by government to ensure quality healthcare delivery in the Municipality.

Source: Alhassan Imoro/Kanyiti FM/Salaga

Damongo MP donates 10 Motorbikes to West Gonja Municipal Health Directorate

Damongo MP donates 10 Motorbikes to West Gonja Municipal Health Directorate

The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources and Member of Parliament (MP) for the Damongo constituency, Samuel Abu Jinapor, has donated ten (10) Apsonic Cross Country Motorbikes to the West Gonja Municipal Health Directorate.

This is help the facility enhance health care delivery in the area.

The legislator in a short address explained that, there are some basic needs of humanity that every policy maker and pubic servant must pay attention to, such as:the needs of education, health care and general social amenities in the range of water, electricity and sanitation.

He said irrespective of your social class,one cannot be productive without a good health care system, adding that,as a policy maker his donation to the sector is to enhance quality health care delivery in the Municipality.

According to him, the support was in response to a request made to him by the Municipal Health Director, Madam Gertrude Yentumi,when she visited his constituency office to lament over the inadequacy of means of transport for the directorate to carry out its mandate as a service;a plea he the ( MP) took very serious and did not sleep over.

The MP believes the motorbikes will enable the health workers to deliver quality healthcare services to the people in the constituency especially, those living in remote hard to reach farming communities.

He pledged his unalloyed commitment to augment effort by central government to deliver basic health care to the people, hinting that he will soon extend similar support to the Regional Health Directorate and the Ghana education Service. 

The West Gonja Municipal Health Director, Madam Gertrude Yentumi expressed gratitude to the Member of Parliament for the kind gesture.

She disclosed that for the short period she has been in the Municipality, She witnessed the handing over of a well furnished CHIPS compound at Mognori, the Renovation of a CHPS Compound at Achubunyo, the construction of a new CHPS compound at Kadendelempa and the renovation and drilling of a borehole at the Municipal Health Directorate all executed by the MP.

Madam Gertrude pointed out that transport has been identified as an essential resource and a vital tool for the delivery of health service and also, an important social determinant of health in the rural communities.

She added that, the availability of a reliable transport will impact on the ability of a person to access appropriate and well - coordinated health care.

"As a service, we preach universal health care but this can never be achieved without transport and in our case motor bikes. that is why we don't take this gestures lightly at all," she said.

She further explained that, in the past, their transport challenges made it difficult to reach all communities in need of basic health and promised that, the motorbikes will be put into their intended purpose with the necessary maintenance culture.

Kumatey Gorden

0243531604

West Gonja Municipal Assembly supports PWDs

West Gonja Municipal Assembly supports PWDs

Edited and posted by Administrator

The West Gonja Municipal Assembly has supported Persons with Disabilities (PWD) with over fifty ( 50 ) Wheelchairs to help  facilitate their mobility.

At a short handing over ceremony held at Damongo, the Savannah Regional capital, the Deputy Coordinating Director of the Assembly, John Osman, who spoke on behalf of the Municipal Chief Executive explained that the Wheelchairs initiative was by the Government of Ghana in partnership with the World Bank aimed at supporting Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) to enhance their personal mobility and reduce the struggle they go through in their daily routines.

He stressed that the donation of the Wheelchairs will go a long way to facilitate the day-to-day movement of the PWDs,which is a precondition for the enjoyment of their Fundamental Human Rights and living in dignity, adding that,"this intervention will assist the PWDs to become more productive members of the society".

The president of the Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in the West Gonja Municipal,Joshua Takura Dramani, expressed gratitude to the government of the New Patriotic Party for fulfilling its 2020 election manifesto promise of supporting PWDs in the country.

He said he was happy that they, in the West Gonja Municipality, were benefiting from the initiative which he believes will help them a lot in their mobility and economic livelihood.

He however, lamented on the struggles PWDs go through in moving around their communities due to the lack of wheel chairs and other equipments that can enhance their walking, hearing and visual abilities. 

The president appealed to the government to come to the aid of their colleagues with hearing and visual problems by assisting them to get a fair share of the national cake. 

The Municipal Social Welfare Director, Anthony Dery, in an address stated that the selection of beneficiaries was done fairly accross the municipality. 

He disclosed that the population of PWDs in the municipality in need of Wheelchairs was on the high side making the selection process a bit cumbersome for stakeholders.

According to him, they  had to consider those that were more vulnerable and in need of the wheelchairs without any thought of political affiliation as others may perceived it to be.

He urged the beneficiaries to cultivate the habit of maintenance of the wheelchairs to ensure that they stand the test of time.

The Public Relations Officer for the PWDs in the Municipality,Abdul Fatawu Bakari, on behalf of his colleagues thanked the West Gonja Municipal Assembly and the government for the initiative and assured they were going to take good care of the Wheelchairs. 

Source: Ananpansah Bartholomew Abraham

11-member West Gonja Catholic hospital advisory board inaugurated

11-member West Gonja Catholic hospital advisory board inaugurated

An 11-member Advisory Board of the West Gonja Catholic hospital has been inaugurated by the Bishop of the Diocese of Damongo, Most Rev. Peter Paul Angkyier, who doubles as the Chief Executive Officer of the hospital and the chairman of the Ghana Prisons Council.

The Board,which was inaugurated in Damongo,the Savannah Regional capital, is being chaired by the Very Rev. Daniel F. Saaka with membership drawn from wide expertise, who are mandated for the next four years to ensure the development and further growth of the hospital and facilitate the delivery of quality health care to the sick in the West Gonja Municipal.

The other members of the Advisory Board are: Frank Ameyaw Korsah; hospital administrator(Secretary),Lawyer Terence Ninnang, Ananpansah Bartholomew Abraham; Assemblyman for the Canteen Electoral Area, Chief Tolodompewura Abdallah Mornoh of CHRAJ, Zaabelle Matthew;manager of PAD FM, Ernestina Yirkyio Ziem, Peter Velerian Baapele; a retired Physician Assistant, Mahama Abdulai of the West Gonja Municipal Assembly, Gertrude Yetumi; Municipal Health Director and Fr. Clement Majeed Bakari.

In an inaugural speech,the Bishop of the Diocese said what has always made the Catholic Hospital unique is the commitment and strong missionary spirit of the management and staff to offer service to the sick.

He said a significant part of the work of the church was the ministry of healing and care for the sick, adding that," the vision of the church has always been to offer quality services to the people of this area and beyond, especially the poor and the underprivileged of society".

The man of God,who doubles as the CEO of the hospital pointed out that the church over the years has always been faithful in its commitment of offering service to the sick amidst the numerous challenges affecting the hospital, including infrastructure, resource mobilization(both human capital and economic resources) and logistics.

He acknowledged successive management of the hospital for their invaluable contributions and dedication towards the development of the facility between 1954 and today, notably: the Sisters of the St. Anne's from Wimbledon-London (1955 to 1974);most of whom are now diceased,the Sister Servants of the Hospital Spirit (SSps 1977 to 1999) and the Sisters of Mary Immaculate (1974 to 1977,and June 1999 to 2021).

According to him,the recent impasse involving nurses,health workers and management, including the sit down strike by medical officers has negatively affected the public image of the hospital, stressing that, staff and management motivation should not just be of material benefit,but the service rendered to the sick.

The Bishop expressed confidence in the expertise of the newly constituted board to work hard in sustaining the operations of the hospital and surmounting the challenges.

"Given the composition of the Board,I believe that you have the needed expertise and professional skills to bring the hospital from its present status to the next level of being a tertiary health provider.

In choosing you to serve on the Board,we have great expectations of you to enhance the growth and development of the St. Anne's Hospital. Our expectations of you would include the following:

'to support management mobilize resources for the development of the facility,give strategic direction and support management to implement their strategic plan formulated in 2015, enhance the hospital's public image, ensure effective management and planning, network, lobby and promote effective collaboration between the hospital and other key partners in health," he stressed.

The Chairman of the Advisory Board,Very Rev. Daniel F. Saaka, thanked the Bishop on behalf of all members and said the new board was going to take counsel and learn from the experiences of the old board.

He assured that the advisory board was going to strengthen the policies of the hospital and support the strategic vision of the facility by creating the road to achieving the vision of becoming a tertiary health care provider.

"We are all aware of the challenges of the hospital and all of us have learned our lessons and experiences. 

The main reason for the impasse was because the policies of the hospital were not being followed. The new board will ensure the policies of the hospital are well understood and followed to the letter,"he said.

He admonished the workers of the hospital to follow the laid down channels of communication in the hospital in addressing their grievances, and reiterated the commitment of the new board to come after any worker who decides to jump the channels of communication in an attempt to sow seeds of discord.

According to him,the current impasse has broken relationships in the hospital where people now perceive each other as enemies, and pledged the new board was up on its feet to monitor things closely to prevent manageable issues from degenerating into serious matters.

Whilst calling on the board members to work together, he assured the staff of the hospital that the board was here to work for them and not against them, adding that," we are ready to accept the challenge".

Source: Ananpansah Bartholomew Abraham

Russia-Ukraine war likely to affect food security in Africa - PhD candidate

Russia-Ukraine war likely to affect food security in Africa - PhD candidate

A Ghanaian based Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) student with the department of economics (International Trade) at the University of International Business and Economics in Beijing, China,  Zankawa Sanusi Kris has observed that the current impasse between Russia and Ukraine has the potential of gravely affecting food security in the African continent.

Commenting on the global sanctions imposed on Russia as a result of the armed hostility, He observed that  Russia was currently one of the biggest exporter of fertilizer and Africa countries that largely depend on agriculture to feed their citizens among others are going to have their food systems dislodged.

"Russia is one of the world’s biggest exporters of fertilizer, this war has the potential to dislodge some of Africa’s countries’ food systems, particularly those that are largely dependent on agriculture to not only feed citizens but also to manage their economies. 

This also has the potential to increase prices, further exacerbating food insecurity on the continent rolling back some of the important gains made during the previous decades," he said.

He said most African economies rely on diesel as a critical input to agriculture and manufacturing, with Russia and Ukraine accounting for around 30% of the global wheat exports, and Ukraine accounting for 15% of corn exports,and the disruption to supply due to sanctions and the war will push up the prices of wheat and corn.

Africa in his view, import most of the wheat it consumes and Egypt,Ghana and Nigeria will most likely be affected due to its high dependency on imports from both countries.

He added that, some African countries that consume corn mainly in southern Africa might not feel any significant impact since much of their consumption is locally grown. Nevertheless, as prices globally go up a host of other goods and services will be affected.

According to him,the war was currently forcing African citizens to dig deeper into their pockets as many countries are already walking a tight robe as fuel prices surge. Globally, he noted the effect will largely be on commodity prices such as crude oil and wheat.

"The sanctions on Russia will most likely lead to supply chain disruptions driving up commodities prices, and in turn inflation, causing spiraling crude oil and cereals prices for governments and consumers across the continent.

Notably, the cost of crude oil has been on an upward trajectory signaling a record price jump of over 80%, the highest price since 2014 after the announcement of Russia’s invasion. The demand for specific energy products as such diesel and other middle distillates is highly correlated to the economic cycle since they are mainly used in freight transportation, manufacturing, farming, and mining," he pointed out.

He said energy products tend to be the biggest import so a price increase, it has a material effect on the import bill and by implication the trade balance and current accounts, revealing that, petroleum imports accounts for 17-20% of imports in Nigeria, Kenya, Egypt, and Ghana in 2019. 

Mr. Sanusi further observed that,the adverse effects posed by the suspension of Russia’s export of natural gas to Western Europe as part of the sanctions due to war will open the door for other oil exporters. Nigeria,noted particularly, already has an agreement with Niger and Algeria to ship liquefied natural gas through the Trans Sahara gas pipeline to Europe.

He said African financial markets will get much tighter making it difficult for many countries to get financing in the international markets as the US and European Union considering locking Russia out of the Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication (SWIFT) – the network used by banks for cross-border payments making it difficult for many African countries to trade with Russia.

He admonished African countries to rake in some gains from the shortages and the price increase by consolidating their fiscal policies and diversifying their investments through Stabilization Funds or Sovereign Wealth Funds to cushion them from future economic shocks and adverse commodity price volatility. 

Source: Ananpansah Bartholomew Abraham

We're coming after you - MASLOC CEO to loan defaulters

We're coming after you - MASLOC CEO to loan defaulters

Edited and posted by Administrator

The Chief Executive Officer for the Microfinance and Small Loans Center(MASLOC) has hinted that her outfit will soon embark on an exercise to recover all loans owed MASLOC by beneficiaries.

Hajia Abibata Shanni , the CEO, made this disclosure during an engagement with the Media at Damongo in the Savannah Region.

According to her, part of the visit was to afford her and her entourage the opportunity to engage with the necessary stakeholders, familiarize with the region and to ask for the support of the people in order to recover loans from clients.

She said the occasion also offers a unique platform to outline to the people of the region the core mandate of MASLOC, which includes, the disbursement of loans, vehicles, tricycles among others.

She was in the company of the Deputy Director in charge of Finance and Administration,Kwabena Asamoah,the Northern Sector Area Manager, Musah Mutawakil and the managers in charge of Savannah, Northern and North East Regions. 

"MASLOC is currently embarking on loan recoveries across the country with sensitization and education on our core mandate. We continue to appeal to clients and the general public to repay their loans before we can roll out another set of disbursement to potential beneficiaries," she said.

She reiterated on the need to cooperate with MASLOC especially, on loan repayment to enable more people benefit from  the scheme, adding that, there has been a drastic reduction in the interest rate on loans given to their clients as part of ongoing efforts to reduce the debt burden on clients,which mostly leads to default payment. 

She stressed that,the recovery rate of a region will determine how much funds should be sent to the region for disbursements.

The CEO held separate   meetings with the staff and management of the Savannah Regional MASLOC office to among other things,discuss issues confronting them especially, in the areas of loan recoveries and staff welfare.

Kumatey Godwen

0243531604

We've achieved 50% active membership enrollment in 2021 - S/R NHIA Director

We've achieved 50% active membership enrollment in 2021 - S/R NHIA Director

The Savannah regional manager of the National health insurance Authority, Mr. Dauda Mahama has disclosed that, the savannah  region has achieved a 50% active membership enrollment in the year under review stating that, the region had a projected population of 653,266 to have been covered out of which a total of 329,445 was achieved presenting the 50% achievement.

Mr. Daudu Mahama made this known during the 2021 annual performance review meeting held on Thursday 10th March, 2022 at Damongo in the savannah regional capital. The exercise which is a routine activity on the calendar of the National Health insurance Authority where operational activities regarding memberships of all categories among others are peer reviewed with District Managers and staff.

In a brief welcome address, the regional manager, Mr. Daudu Mahama admonished all District Managers and staff to accept criticism of any sort especially in their  service delivery and see the critics as the basis for improvement towards the theme which is "sustaining the gains for universal health coverage".

He explained that, the savannah region had a projected population of 653,266 out of which 329,445 active membership was achieved at the ending of the period 2021 representing 50% of their set target.

On mobile renewals, Mr Daudu Mahama revealed that, a total of 224,146 target population was allocated to the region of which the region was able to meet a total of 114,731 representing 51%.

He outlined some challenges being faced by the Authority in the region stating that, illegal payments from service providers, NHIS members waiting to be sick before the renew their membership, poor network connectivity in some communities, service providers not renewing their credentials on time, the difficulty in merging members NHIS cards with the Ghana card due to personal Data mismatch among others as some of the challenges crippling their operations.

Mr. Daudu Mahama however reminder the District managers and staff of the NHIA of some of the innovations of the Authority that are critical in their quest to achieve Universal health coverage ( UHC ) such as the mobile renewal system, their online credential portal for providers and linking the NHIS card with the NIA card by dial *929# to get their cards merged to be able to access health care  and that, by 30th June, 2022, SSNIT will only transact business with those who have linked their Ghana cards.

The claims processing centre Manager in charge of the Northern regions, Mr Isaac Akonde in an interview with this source on co - payments and illegal payments by health care providers explained that, irrespective of the reason, "an illegality is an illegality not withstanding how much one can justify it"  and that, every service provider has a service fact that the have signed with the NHIS to provide a certain set of services to it's members where the NHIS will intend reimburse them for those services rendered. 

Mr. Akonde added that, any service provider who has a reason why their services rendered to clients are not matching with the cost of providing those services should engage the National health insurance scheme and not to ask for money from the poor clients for which reason the NHIS exist.

The claims processing centre manager reteraited that, it is illegal to demand for money from its members because once the services are covered by the national health insurance scheme, service deliveries are suppose to be free for the members of the NHIS and any reason why the provider thinks that the need extra money or need certain services that the think are expensive than what the NHIS is paying, there is an avenue to engage them than transferring the cost to the poor patient who are usually very vulnerable.

He noted that, most of the services the NHIS is rendering is for the core poor most of whom struggle to even get transport to the facilities only to be asked to pay things most of which are covered by the NHIS because the patients are vulnerable and are unable to challenge the health care provider end up socuming to some of those things.

Mr. Akonde further explained that, some of the service providers complaint of delays in paying their claims, a reason the sometimes had to charge clients for the services rendered and however noted that, the situation is at the heart of the Authority and has come to the notice of the executive management who are doing alot to curbe it by ensuring that claims are duly paid on time and that, the Authority has a way of dealing with service providers found culpable of the act.

Kumatey Gorden

0243531604

Let’s collaborate to ensure sustainable management of natural resources – Assistant Park Manager

Let’s collaborate to ensure sustainable management of natural resources – Assistant Park Manager

Edited and posted by Administrator

The Assistant Park Manager of the Mole National Park, Bona Keyiir has called on members of the Community Resource Management Areas(CREMA) and the general public to collaborate and network to promote community development and sustainable management of the natural resources.

At a two day exchange learning program of the Savannah Integrated Biodiversity Conservation Initiative (SIBCI) held at the conference room of the Mole National Park  in Damongo, Savannah region,he said there has been a frantic efforts to recognized the rights of local communities in Natural Resource Management.

This he said was manifest in the Forestry Commission shifting focus of its management systems to ensure more dialogue with stakeholders particularly,local communities that rely on the forest.

According to him,the CREMA model provides a number of benefits to communities, including improving environment security and land use practices by farmers,a greater understanding of the importance of natural resources to community livelihood,the ability of communities to control access to resources by external user groups and individuals and the development of secondary and tertiary industries at the local level ( tourism and support services).

He lamented on the extreme logging, poaching activities in the park's immediate vicinity,crop raiding, grazing by domestic animals,land conversation along the boundaries of the park,the inability of some communities to implement sustainable use of biological resource schemes and insufficient finances for the building infrastructure and other tourist sites as major challenges endangering the survival of the park.

The Assistant Park Manager called on community members to double up their efforts in preserving and regulating the park's natural resources locally and internationally,adding that,"we must work together to keep our wild life species and our common resources".

As part of the initiative, Community Resource Management Area(CREMA) members and participants went on a two-hour safari drive tour of the Mole National Park, allowing them to sight see and learn more about the wildlife environment they had been protecting for years. 

The tour was led by the tour guides of the  Mole National Park with a historical narration of the Mole National Park and the dynamics of each animal as well as some of the park's distinctive trees.

Community members and participants were ecstatic and awed by the tour, which afforded them the opportunity to see species of animals they had never seen before. 

Members expressed delight in the whole experience and extended gratitude to the European Union for funding SIBCI, which was implemented by the Nature and Development Foundation (NDF), Wildlife Society and the Mole National Park.

Some of the community members in an exclusive interview with this writer said the projects have benefited their livelihood in the village. 

Madam Memuna for instance, indicated they have been able to pay their children's school fees, meet household expenses, and improve the price of Shea nuts, resulting in increased revenue for the women in the community. 

She urged community members to assist CREMA members in their duties.

Abubakari from Mognori recounted the numerous benefits the youth have derived from the initiative. He said through the factory and Cano tour savings, they are able to pay for their children's printing fees, repair broken down boreholes, and repair their canoes, among other things.

Edwin Gogu/0203175690

Accept posting to rural areas - GHS council to health workers

Accept posting to rural areas - GHS council to health workers

The Ghana Health Services council has called on health professionals to accept posting to any part of the country, especially the deprived communities.

This, the council said would enable them to embrace deprived area incentives and transfer their know-how and expertise to underserved areas in order to help bridge the gap in health professionals distribution accross the country.

In a message on behalf of the council at the Annual Savannah Regional Health Sector Performance Review Conference held at the Unity Centre in Damongo,Dr. Kenneth Appiah said the council as part of its oversight role will ensure the appointment of qualified officers to fill vacant management positions at all service levels in order to critically strengthen leadership and governance capacity.

According to him,the Council intends to support management to prioritize staff welfare and motivation especially, in the areas of suitable accomodation and incentive packages.

This in the view of the council will inspire the staff to enable them deliver the best possible health service to the people of the country and achieve the Universal Health Coverage Road Map.

"We shall support management to prioritize staff welfare and motivation to enable the staff deliver the best possible health service for the people of the country. We shall press for full implementation of deprived area incentives including provision of suitable accomodation to attract health professionals to deprived areas. 

Our dear health workers are encouraged to embrace these incentives and accept posting to any part of the country," he said.

The council member challenged health professionals to rise above the challenges of COVID-9 and strive in greater effort to improve the public image of the service by removing the perception of poor customer care.

He called on the District Assemblies, corporate bodies and philanthropists to come to the aid of the service, particularly in the area of accomodation.

Whilst, commending the region's effort and remarkable achievements over the years,he called on all health professionals to rededicate themselves to the mandate of the service and work diligently towards the achievement of the goals and objectives the service has set for itself.

Dr. Chrysantus Kubio,the Savannah Regional Director of Health Services bemoaned the unwillingness of medical officers to accept posting to the infant Savannah Region.

This he said was hampering against the effort of the service to ensure a responsive and resilient healthcare delivery system that meets the health needs of the people in the region.

He disclosed that 85% of medical doctors posted to the region in the year under review failed to report.

"In the year under review,the region received 1,133 new staff,out of which 225 failed to report, representing 20% posting rejection rate. Going into specific professions, Medical Officers rejection rate was 85%. This calls for stakeholder deliberation at the various Municipal and District Assembly levels to device means and attract these critical staff to accept posting to our region,"he said.

According to him, region still depends on its mother region,the Northern Regional Health Directorate Medical Stores for support, encouraging well meaning individuals,the District Assemblies and Organizations to come to the aid of the service interms of logistics.

The Savannah Regional Minister, Saaed Muhazu Jibreal commended all the health staff and development partners for the immense contribution and hard-work which resulted in the modest gains in the health indicators in the year under review. 

He said there can be no meaningful socio-economic development in any country where there is high disease burden,stressing that," health is wealth". 

The minister decried the perceived negative attitude of some staff towards clients and work,adding that, the ongoing industrial unrest at the West Gonja Hospital by Medical Officers is a case in point.

According to him, government was making effort through the Ministry of Health to address the transportation needs of health facilities in the new regions.

The conference brought together key players in the health sector and their partners, including all health directors in the various municipalities and districts in the region to assess the overall health performance as a region,discuss priorities and commit to working together to further enhance improvement in the objectives the service has set for itself under the theme," ensuring comprehensive service delivery in the midst of a pandemic".

Source: Ananpansah Bartholomew Abraham

We shall prioritize staff welfare and motivation- GHS council

We shall prioritize staff welfare and motivation- GHS council

The Ghana Health Service Council has said it would support management to prioritize staff welfare and motivation especially, in the areas of suitable accomodation and incentive packages.

This, the council said will inspire the staff to enable them deliver the best possible health service to the people of the country and achieve the Universal Health Coverage Road Map.

In a message on behalf of the council at the Annual Savannah Regional Health Sector Performance Review Conference held at the Unity Centre in Damongo,Dr. Kenneth Appiah said the council as part of its oversight role will ensure the appointment of qualified officers to fill vacant management positions at all service levels in order to critically strengthen leadership and governance capacity.

The council member challenged health professionals to rise above the challenges of COVID-9 and strive in greater effort to improve the public image of the service by removing the perception of poor customer care.

Whilst calling on the District Assemblies, corporate bodies and philanthropists to come to the aid of the service, particularly in the area of accomodation for staff,he encouraged health professionals to accept posting to deprived communities,adding that," we shall press for the full implementation of deprived area incentives, including provision of suitable accomodation".

He commended the region's effort and remarkable achievements over the years and called on all health professionals to rededicate themselves to the mandate of the service and work diligently towards the achievement of the goals and objectives the service has set for itself.

Dr. Chrysantus Kubio,the Savannah Regional Director of Health Services bemoaned the unwillingness of medical officers to accept posting to the infant Savannah Region.

This he said was hampering against the effort of the service to ensure a responsive and resilient healthcare delivery system that meets the health needs of the people in the region.

He disclosed that 85% of medical doctors posted to the region in the year under review failed to report.

"In the year under review,the region received 1,133 new staff,out of which 225 failed to report, representing 20% posting rejection rate. Going into specific professions, Medical Officers rejection rate was 85%. This calls for stakeholder deliberation at the various Municipal and District Assembly levels to device means and attract these critical staff to accept posting to our region,"he said.

According to him, region still depends on its mother region,the Northern Regional Health Directorate Medical Stores for support, encouraging well meaning individuals,the District Assemblies and Organizations to come to the aid of the service interms of logistics.

The Savannah Regional Minister, Saaed Muhazu Jibreal commended all the health staff and development partners for the immense contribution and hard-work which resulted in the modest gains in the health indicators in the year under review. 

He said there can be no meaningful socio-economic development in any country where there is high disease burden,stressing that," health is wealth". 

The minister decried the perceived negative attitude of some staff towards clients and work,adding that, the ongoing industrial unrest at the West Gonja Hospital by Medical Officers is a case in point.

According to him, government was making effort through the Ministry of Health to address the transportation needs of health facilities in the new regions.

The conference brought together key players in the health sector and their partners, including all health directors in the various municipalities and districts in the region to assess the overall health performance as a region,discuss priorities and commit to working together to further enhance improvement in the objectives the service has set for itself under the theme," ensuring comprehensive service delivery in the midst of a pandemic".

Source: Ananpansah Bartholomew Abraham

I'm emboldened by overwhelming grassroot support to contest as Savannah Regional Women Organizer- Hajia Ubeda

I'm emboldened by overwhelming grassroot support to contest as Savannah Regional Women Organizer- Hajia Ubeda

A gender activist of the ruling New Patriotic Party in the Savannah Region,Hajia Nurudeen Ubeda has said she is inspired with courage by the unflinching grassroot support she was receiving from the women wing of the party in the region to throw in her bid as the Savannah Regional Women Organizer.

According to the gender activist,her many years of dedicated, selfless and diligent service to the NPP exposes her to all the practical grassroot experience and know-how to better advocate for the growth of the women in the party, especially in the Savannah Region.

In an exclusive interview with blogger, Ananpansah B. Abraham,  the patriotic Hajia Ubeda indicated that,in the spirit of patriotism inborn in her,she was ready to serve the party with compassion,dilligence, insight and focused attention,adding that,"breaking the eight through the women wing is possible with the right touch of leadership".

"The primary focus of leadership at all levels is solving problems. With this in mind, I, Hajia Ubeda, remain your best bet for the position of the Savannah Regional Women’s Organizer, because I can be trusted with your mandate.

I am the people's Hajia, as I am known by all patriots.

The analytical and theoretical thinkers of the great man theory of leadership affirmed that the traits of leadership are in intrinsic, in simple terms great leaders are born with the potentials of leadership. 

"I always get enveloped when I remember of Deepack, when he speaks of spirituality in leadership. As he puts its…”Enlightened leadership is spiritual if we understand spirituality not as some kind of religious dogma or ideology but as the domain of awareness, when we experience values like truth, goodness, beauty, love and compassion also intuition, creativity, insight and focused attention". 

I was born a patriot and in the spirit patriotism I shall serve you". She said.

She recounted her many years of dedication and voluntary leadership to the NPP; serving as the Director of Operation and Events Organizer of the youth wing, served as a member of the Savannah Regional NPP strategic Health Committee, served as the Coordinator of NAADA Ladies Foundation in Damongo constituency, served as Savannah Regional Coordinator for Women's Maiden's inter alia.

When given the mandate,the gender activist promises to support the party by instituting practical and principled leadership inspired by courage, vision and integrity. A vision that will lead to the introduction of policies that will empower and transform the women in the party both economically and financially.

Some influential women of the party this writer interacted with attested to the hardwork and leadership qualities of Hajia Ubeda and are ready to support her in the bid to become the Women's Organizer of the party.

Source: Ananpansah Bartholomew Abraham

Birthday Appreciation: An Overrun of Joy To Say Thank You

Birthday Appreciation: An Overrun of Joy To Say Thank You!

Out of the abundance of joy in the heart of the son man; I seize this moment to thank the all merciful God for blessing my new age with true loving friends and family...

The plentitute of calls, messages,intentions, warm and well wishes lingers on to shape my life a lifetime. Yes, words are indeed free but priceless!

The gifts amazingly just withered and whizzed away in a jiffy,but the lasting memory rekindled by your well wishes bear a flame of true affection into the unforseable future.

Friends and family,you are my new found love.

Your unfailing wishes are a keepsake henceforth,and epitomizes his grace and raise in my life.

Who am I? A mere mortal to say I don't owe you continuous appreciation and God's intervention in our individual situations in life.

Basically,it was a day spent doing some donations especially, to children that I could reach.

Infact,at a point, I felt terrible about not growing any younger.

But you gave me the fortitude and hope to fill the void.( You rid me of my blues)...

My life is a balance sheet.

You are the assets.

Another chance of life to say thank you to God for the prayers answered.

We have achieved a lot over the years to be grateful to God for.

We have been challenged a lot to rise above life challenges and the forlorn hopes.

The future and our generation still demands our utmost best.

And with the continuous blessings of life; we will not falter or go to sleep until we impact the world positively in our own small way. # To serve the least amount these!

All thanks for you added the spark to my birthday celebration.

Lest I forget; belated birthday to my new age.

May this age be a blessing to humanity (service to the least among these).

To do the little things and do them well!(Amen)

How can we shamefully surrender when we are gracefully surrendered?

Still we christen the way,

forward!

Still we soldier on!

Shalom!

Ananpansah, Bartholomew Abraham (AB)

(Assembly Man For Canteen Electoral Area)

0241129910/0200704844

85% of medical doctors refuse posting to Savannah Region - health director bemoans

85% of medical doctors refuse posting to Savannah Region - health director bemoans

The Ghana Health Service in the Savannah Region has bemoaned the unwillingness of medical officers to accept posting to the infant region.

This it said was hampering against the effort of the service to ensure a responsive and resilient healthcare delivery system that meets the health needs of the people in the region.

At an annual Regional Health Sector Performance Review Conference held at the Unity Centre in Damongo,the Savannah Regional Director of Health Service, Dr. Chrysantus Kubio disclosed that 85% of medical doctors posted to the region in the year under review failed to report.

"In the year under review,the region received 1,133 new staff,out of which 225 failed to report, representing 20% posting rejection rate. Going into specific professions, Medical Officers rejection rate was 85%. This calls for stakeholder deliberation at the various Municipal and District Assembly levels to device means and attract these critical staff to accept posting to our region,"he said.

He said the region still depends on its mother region,the Northern Regional Health Directorate Medical Stores for support, adding that, the Savannah Regional Coordinating Council has however allocated 10-acre land in the long term for the construction of a Regional Medical Store, mechanical workshop and equipment workshop.

The region according to him,took delivery of two state-of-the-art District Hospitals and a Polyclinic in Buipe,Sawla and Bamboi respectively, vaccinated 23% of the regional targeted population against COVID-19 and successfully controlled the yellow fever outbreak in the region by vaccinating a total population of 241,777;which is 100% of the at-risk population targeted for vaccination during the outbreak. 

He commended their partners and the Member of Parliament for the Damongo Constituency for the support over the years and used the occasion to encourage all well meaning individuals and organizations to come to the aid of the region Interms logistical support.

The Savannah Regional Minister, Saaed Muhazu Jibreal commended all the health staff and development partners for the immense contribution and hard work which resulted in the modest gains in the health indicators in the year under review. 

He said there can be no meaningful socio-economic development in any country where there is high disease burden,stressing that," health is wealth". 

The minister decried the perceived negative attitude of some staff towards clients and work,adding that, the ongoing industrial arrest at the West Gonja Hospital by Medical Officers is a case in point.

According to him, government was making effort through the Ministry of Health to address the transportation needs of health facilities in the new region.

In a brief message,the Ghana Health Service Council urged all health workers to rededicate themselves to the mandate of the service and work diligently towards the achievement of the goals and objectives the service has set for itself.

The conference brought together key players in the health sector and their partners, including all health directors in the various municipalities and districts in the region to assess the overall health performance as a region,discuss priorities and commit to working together to further enhance improvement in the objectives the service has set for itself under the theme," ensuring comprehensive service delivery in the midst of a pandemic".

Source: Ananpansah Bartholomew Abraham

Let's be united for Development - Abu Jinapor

 Let's be united for Development - Abu Jinapor

The Member of Parliament (MP) for the Damongo constituency and Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Lawyer Samuel Abu Jinapor has called on the constituents of Damongo and the entire people of the Savannah Region to be united for the development of the Region irrespective of their ethnic,  political and religious affiliations.

The Lands and Natural Minister made the call at the forecourt of his Constituency office when he organized a Launch for heads of departments, religious leaders, Security services, Civil society groups and the leadership of the various political parties after the 65th independence day celebrations at Damongo in the Savannah region on the 6th of March, 2022.

Abu Jinapor explained that, it is  important for all to appreciate the fact that, we need to be united as the saying goes that ” United we stand, divided we fall” for the development of the infant savannah region and as well see it the business of all and that, their political colours, tribal and religious difference are secondary to the ultimate goal of being united  for the development of the constituency and the region.

The mp indicated that he is member of parliament for all in the Constituency and praying that, MP’s that will come after him will emulate and continue to bring the people together with such events at least once a year which he believes will strengthen the unity and togetherness of the people to have the savannah region grow like the others regions. 

The thank the people for honouring his invitation to be part of the occasion.

The Savannah Regional Minister Mr Saeed Jibril Muhazu in an address urged the people to appreciate the efforts of the Damongo and continue to pray for him as there are many people out there who the capacity to help others but are not willing to do so explaining that, Hon Samuel Abu Jinapor is a blessing to many in the Savannah region and Ghana as a whole with an enviable track record of benevolence.

The regional Minister also used the occasion to called the religious leaders to continue to pray for the young politician to be able to do more for the people of the Savannah region.

Hon. Muhazu added that, the people of the Damongo Constituency and the Savannah Regional coordinating council are indebted to him and grateful to him for the kind support given to the RCC in that made this year's independence day celebrations a successful one. 

KUMATEY GORDEN

0243531604

Gonjaland Youth Association calls on stakeholders to arrest falling educational standards

Gonjaland Youth Association calls on stakeholders to arrest falling educational standards

The Gonjaland youth Association ( GLYA ) has on Friday 4th March, 2022 organised  a stakeholders consultative forum on education at Damongo in the savannah regional capital to discuss and to find solutions to the  falling  standards of education in the savannah region. 

The vice president of the savannah regional house of chiefs and paramount of the Build traditional area, Buipewura Abdulai  jinapor II in an address explained that it was overwhelming and brain cracking in the history of the savannah region to have such a timely stakeholder consultative forum engagements to discuss and to find lasting solutions to the falling standards of education in the region as the region is highly sick in the educational sector considering it's educational  performance  in the past years. 

The paramount chief for the Buipe traditional  area further explained that, it is important as son's and daughters of Gonjaland to have a collective interest in brainstorming to prescribe an antidote in other to bring to speed and to improve on the educational  standards in the region. 

He added that, several scholars have made statements  that education remains as the developmental machinery of every society and that, the savannah region is not an exception of this statements as it is said that, "education is a human right with immense power to transform" on whose foundation rest the cornerstones of freedom, democracy, and sustainable human development. 

Buipewura Jinapor II indicated  that, education in the savannah region remains as an invaluable asset  to propel and to enhance the general well-being of the region and Ghana at large and therefore urged the sons  and daughters of Gonjaland not to put the education of the region on a silver platter. 

He urged the young ones in the region to adopt  the culture of choosing mentors through whom the can imulate as a guide for directions and that, it's apparently reasonable to take advantage of positive technology by focusing on modern learning  processes and disassociate themselves from social vices  such as unprescribed  drug usages among others. 

The vice president of the savannah regional  House of chiefs also used the forum to charge the Regional minister to with immediate effect put up a consultative and research committee to research  into the causes and reasons for the abysmal  performance of students in the region and assured  him of the backing  of the traditional  authorities. 

The Savannah regional minister,  Hon. Saeed  Muhazu  Jibriel also in an address said, the bedrock upon which the development  of nations is built is based on education and that, there is the need for the son's and daughters of Gonjaland to be worried about the abysmal and regrettable decline  in the standards of education in the region. 

He noted that, on the 25th of August, 2021, he initiated discussions on how to quickly  address  the poor performance of students in second cycle institutions. 

Hon. Saeed added that, all is not well in the educational sector in the region considering  the performance of students which is sliding  down hill and the earlier the stemmed the declension for the better.

The minister disclosed that, he has charged all Municipal and District Chief Executives in the region to dedicate 60% of their internally generated funds on education with the initiation of an annual teachers awards scheme which will begin this year and called on the traditional authorities in the region to support teachers in their traditional areas to  able them discharge their duties effectively.

The Ag. Savannah regional education Director, Hajia Katumi Natogmah Attah in a presentation gave an overview and statistics of the performance of students in the region and explained that, the regional and district education offices are responsible to cordinate, support and  supervise all teaching and learning activities to ensure effective and efficient education delivery that should gear towards achieving access and quality educational system in the region.

Hajia Katumi also outlined a number of challenges faced by the service that is affecting teaching and learning including inadequate teachers and logistics in the region which is having effects on teacher - pupil ratio, poor attendance and punctuality. 

The acting Director used the forum to advocated for the need for all stakeholders to come onboard to support the mandate of the Ghana Education Service to be able to deliver effectively the learning outcomes of all learners in the region.

The President of the Gonjaland Youth Association, Lawyer Mohammad Amin expressed gratitude to the various stakeholders and speakers at the forum and explained that the abysmal performance and fallen standards of education in the region is worrying to the Gonjaland Youth Association and that, the association is hopeful that the forum will help bring a lasting solution problem.

The president of the Gonjaland youth Association added that many more of such engagements will be held in the coming weeks to help find solutions to the situation of the abysmal performance of students and the  fallen standards of education in the Savannah Region.

Kumatey Gorden

0243531604

NCCE holds symposium with tertiary Students on violent extremism & youth radicalism

NCCE holds symposium with tertiary Students on violent extremism & youth radicalism

The National commission for Civic Education ( NCCE ) has held a symposium with tertiary education students at the Damongo nurses Training college at Damongo in the savannah region on Thursday, 17th February, 2022.

In a welcome address, the Ag. Savannah regional NCCE Director, Mr Issaka Zitor explained that, the NCCE as part of it's planned activities under the preventing electoral violence and providing security to the Northern boarder regions of Ghana project, is implementing symposias with tertiary institutions in the five (5) northern regions of Ghana through out in the month of February, 2022.

Mr. Zitor added that, the boarder goal of NORPREVSEC is to fight against transnational organized crime while promoting respect for human rights and the rule of Law.

The Ag. Director said the symposium seeks to equip participants with the relevant information on violent extremists and youth radicalism to guard them against being recruited to perpetuate violence in the savannah region and Ghana at large and to also create the platform for dialogue among Stakeholders on the responsibility of addressing the tensions being created by activities of violent extremists or terrorist groups in the Sahel region and preventing likely spill over in Ghana.

Mr. Zitor further explained that, by adopting the the 1992 Constitution, the people of Ghana have subscribed to the tenets and practice of democratic governance.

Mr. Zitor also indicated that, all citizens have the power to exercise political control through their involvement in the governance processes especially where there is democracy.

He adviced the tertiary students by the words " words are like bullets, and your mouth is like a gun. when you shoot a gun, the bullet is going to come out, is there any way for you to take that bullet back, No" .

Deputy Director for the NCCE in charge of operations, Mr. Samuel Asare Akuamoah on his side explained that, the symposium was meant to create the awareness among the citizenry on the potential risks faced by the country saying, the recent incidents of political instability in countries that share border with Ghana are of a major threat to the country’s peace and security, Mr Samuel Asare Akuamoah said.

He added by saying “The current security situation in Ghana’s neighbouring countries such as Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger and others are worrying and that it is the responsibility of  everyone to prevent the disruption of our democracy,” he said.

Mr Akuamoah said this at a symposium on violent extremism at the Damongo nurses training school in the west Gonja Municipality in the Savannah region which was attended by the students of the school, unemployed graduates and National Service personnels who were taken through a presentation on violent extremists activities.

Mr. Akuamoah also explained that, the event forms part of a national campaign against violent extremism which is being carried out by the NCCE, in collaboration with the Ministry of National Security with funding from the European Union (EU).

National Security Coordinator for the Savannah region, Mr. Bismark Seidu in a presentation cautioned the youth to use the groups to fight violent extremism and not to allow themselves to used to perpetrate crimes by jihadist movements groups and violent extremist groups.

He further urged Ghanaians to be security-conscious at all times and  to notify security agencies of any suspicious individuals living among them.

He bemoaned the participants to stay vigilant on strange happenings around them and also urged them to form groups to create jobs for themselves and not to be used for violent extremists activities.

He added that, violent extremism activities such as radicalism, terrorism etc poses a lot of threats on the lives of the people and on our way of life and that, it is the responsibility of the Ghanaian government to put measures in place to preserve the safety and security of the citizenry by implementing a national frame work on preventing violent extremism and terrorism in the country and in the Sahel regions.

Mr. Bismark further explained that the ministry of National security is a national institution that works for the nation and for the society.

The symposium was financed by the european union in collaboration with the ministry of National security and the NCCE.

Present at symposium were the Ag. Municipal NCCE director, Chief Abdallah Ahmed who chaired the occasion, the principal of the Damongo Nurses training college and other heads of departments.

Kumatey Gorden

0243531604