The Youth Are Future Leaders And Hope Of Our Country-Most Rev . Clement

YOUTH ARE FUTURE LEADERS AND HOPE OF OUR COUNTRY-MOST REV . CLEMENT

The Director of Center for Conflict Transformation and Peace Studies(CECOTAPS),Most Rev . Dr. Clement Aapegnua has reiterated the fact that the youth of today are the future leaders and hope of our community and country.
He said this while delivering a key note address during a parliamentary debate session organised by Damongo Youth Parliament (DYP) Sunday evening,November 19,2016,at the Damongo Lorry Station.

"The youth constitute 70% of Africa's population but are usually not consulted in decision making,'Our leaders should have confidence in the youth and invest in them because they are creative, innovative and energetic', they are the future leaders and hope of our country"-averred the peace expert.  (Slightly modified).

According to him, the youth are most of the time perceived as trouble makers, and hence are used to forment trouble.This in his view was not the case,as was seen in the significant role the youth played in resolving the Dagbon Conflict.
He emphasized that all efforts to resolve the conflict had proven futile until they were refered to use the youth chiefs.

He cautioned the youth not to allow themselves to be used by self-seeking politicians to foment trouble, violence and mayhem during this season of elections.And that we should engage in politics of ideas, and avoid insults, vulgar and fowl language.

The youth were encouraged to rise up and pursue their dreams.

He lauded Damongo Youth Parliament for the initiative and good works it has been doing for Damongo and beyond.

The about three (3)  hours debate was carried live on Radio for Peace and Development (PAD 95.1mhz).

By ANANPANSAH,B ABRAHAM (AB)
(Secretary-DYP/PAD FM NEWS DESK)
0241129910/020004844

US HAS SPOKEN;WHAT IS THE TREND ANALYSIS, PROPAGANDA-RECYCLED AND IMPLICATIONS FOR GHANA?

US HAS SPOKEN!WHAT IS THE TREND ANALYSIS, PROPAGANDA-RECYCLED AND IMPLICATIONS FOR GHANA?

Okay, let's say the United States of America (USA) has spoken .The controversial Republican candidate,Donald John Trump has been dully elected the 45th president.He takes over from Barack Hussein Obama's  led Democratic government.

The world they say is a global village, and whatever happens in America (a superpower) of the world impacts Ghana. (You remember the credit crunch in USA and the effects it had on our country).One can easily make mention of foreign policy, access to grant-in-aid,Ghana's relationship with US, security, trade, international protocols and conventions,and the propaganda-recycled as trend analysis and electoral fortunes.

The trends(refined propaganda):Americans have faith in two- party system-the Democrats who ideologically are more to the left and the Republicans who are more to the right.Those in the middle are the independents.The Republicans are liberal(economically left).The Democrats are in favour of governments intervention for the poor and needy.
The Democrats just like the NDC believe in the bottom-up approach(shifting the allocation of wealth from the haves to the have-nots) to development.The Republicans on the other hand believe in the Top-down approach, thus, the trickling down effect to development.

These parties in response to the needs of the people also flirt around these ideologies-the Democrats for instance have since moved from left-center towards the center.These ideological stance mostly reflect the economic and social policies of various governments.

Interesting enough, Ghana and USA have always voted along a particular line since 1992 based on their ideologies.In 1992 for instance,as USA voted for Bill Clinton(a Democrat),Ghana voted Jerry John Rawlings (a social democrat) and founder of NDC. Both candidates were retained in 1996.
In 2000,USA elected George Walker Bush (a Republican) and Ghana voted for John Agyekum Kuffour of NPP (a liberal democrat).Both candidates were retained in 2004.
Fast - forward,in 2008,USA voted for Barack Hussein Obama(a democrat) and Ghana voted for my late beloved prof. John Evans Fiifi Atta Mills of blessed memory of NDC (a social democrat).The historic visit of president Obama to Ghana as his first Africa country after his election just says it all.
Obama was retained in America in 2012.But following the death of prof.Atta Mills, his vice president John Dramani Mahama succeeded him and won the elections of 2012 on the ticket of NDC(Democrats).
In the just ended elections in USA, Donald Trump(a Republican) won against Hillary Clinton(a democrat), and Ghana is yet to decide.
Are we likely to see a change coming or change is happening already?

Let's probe the issues further:
You have been following the debate on social media.The NPP sees the turn of events in America as a hope for a change in Ghana.So I ask:is trend analysis really anything to go by?
But have you realised the trend was truncated somewhat in 2008 following the death of prof. Mills? At least, a candidate has changed.Have you also noticed that there is a "JOHN" in the name of Donald Trump?

Most of the opinion polls in the run - up to the elections in USA predicted victory for Hillary Clinton. Such predictions where overturned.
In Ghana, most of the opinion polls are predicting victory for Akuffo-Addo. If trend analysis is anything to go by,is change coming or change is happening?Are these also trends that could "play out"?Interesting, I guess!
Such trends I think could be propaganda-recycled or turn out to be the realities.You can also be your own judge in such propaganda instances.
The trends may be similar but the conditions and situations in both countries may differ.So discard the "trends propaganda" and concentrate on selling your messages to the people. 

Implications: Donald Trump from his campaign and public auterances seem anti - African .Our leaders must therefore brace themselves for the times ahead.The man has made his point clear:I'm going to hand America back to Americans.He emphasised this in his victory speech:after expressing a desire to rebuild infrastructure, making it "second to none". Trump went on to say, "We will get along with all countries that are willing to get along with us. We must reclaim our country's destiny.

We(Ghana) should anticipate a drastic cut in grant-in-aid from USA,hard-line immigration laws(mass deportation of illegal immigrants-thus,putting an end to "birthright citizenship"),his stance on trade(he has blamed China for the economic woes of USA -Who knows:he might blame Ghana next), his perception on global warming(how does he intend to tackle the canker after describing it as a hoax, and intends cutting funds away from EPA?).What about his racial profiling, especially against Muslims?
These are all issues we should be on a look out for.

The fact is,the man is likely to be tough on third world countries.And we must be prepared to take our destiny into our own hands(after all, Ghana is capable of managing its own affairs).

With barely twenty - seven (27) days to go to the polls in Ghana, one can only cross his/her fingers, pray for peace and accept whatever the outcome of the election might be.
The watchword is "PEACE".
May God bless.
Read more on ananpansah-ab.blogspot.com

By ANANPANSAH, B ABRAHAM (AB)
University of Ghana Business School (UGBS)/Radio Presenter
0241129910/0200704844

CANTEEN YAARA UNITED FOR ALBERT EMBARKS ON A CLEAN UP CAMPAIGN

CANTEEN YAARA UNITED FOR ALBERT EMBARKS ON A CLEAN UP CAMPAIGN

A group calling itself Canteen Yaara United for Albert this morning embarked on a clean up and keep fit campaign across Canteen Electoral Area in the West Gonja District of Damongo Constituency.

The group which saw the activities as a civic responsibility and claimed neutrality,expressed utmost trust in the potentials and ability of the parliamentary candidate of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) hon . Albert Diwura Kassim, and has therfore decided to embark on these activities as a show of love and support for him.

They believe a clean society is just next to a godly and a wealthy society,the credence of which is found in the age long adage that a healthy nation and people is a  wealth nation and people. And that they were trusting God to deliver victory to hon. Albert and the NPP come December 7.

The parliamentary candidate who joined the exercise together with his youth organiser hon.Nana Kwame was full of appreciation for the group, and prayed for unity and peace ahead of the elections.

By ANANPANSAH, B ABRAHAM (AB)
(PAD FM news desk)

Farmers Day Celebration:Focus On Local Government Development And Export Promotion In Ghana

Farmers Day Celebration:My Focus On Local Government Development And Export Promotion In Ghana

It's an undeniable fact that the behavior of government institutions affects business performance on the international arena.
Such behavior which creates an enabling environment can impact positively on the performance of firms on the global scene.

Over the years, however, the focus has always been on the role of public sector at the national level in promoting export in Ghana obviously due to the international nature of export promotion issues such as international negotiation and diplomacy  which are within the remit of central government.
Somehow, the place of local government in the development and promotion of export business has been overlooked in academic and its related discourses.

Is it right therefore to conclude that local government does nothing to promote export in Ghana?
If so, where lies the faith of the fact that most of the non-traditional export commodities of Ghana (agriculture, manufacturing and handicrafts) come from the rural areas of the country!Yes, most of the non-traditional export commodities(the main export commodities of Ghana) come from the rural areas.And one would have expected local government to take the lead in export promotion activities in Ghana.It's either local governments are ignorant of this potential source of development or they are in simple terms non-proactive in that regard!

It's or should be stated with emphasis that local governments that are aware of their responsibilities, have a positive orientation towards their goals, and which have the capacity, are better positioned to champion the course of export promotion and development activities in Ghana, if for nothing at all, for employment creation and revenue mobilisation.

Local governments in Ghana have the potential and can be positioned well to promote export business, especially so when there is a reduction in financial grants from external sources and there is pressure on local governments to generate revenue internally to improve the standard of living of the local people.
In Denmark for instance, owing to the high degree of administrative decentralisation with clarity of roles and responsibilities as well as guaranteed financial resources and human resource system,export promotional services are provided by both the central government and local government with direct and active involvement of business communities and associations. The state shares with local government the responsibility for determining the broad policies on export promotion.(See export promotion in Logoster Commune and Aalborg Commune in Denmark).Local government is truly decentralised and financially independent in that country.

Our own assemblies can be empowered to chalk such a milestone through public policy and advocacy that will make them face squarely their obligation towards export promotion. National government should be willing to share the responsibilities of export development and promotion with local government.

Learning from the experience of Denmark, local government in Ghana can contribute meaningfully towards export promotion by networking and disseminating trade information and sales leads, organizing international trade shows/trade missions sponsored locally,organizing workshops on export topics, facilitating land acquisition processes,permits which provide the legal basis for doing business should be granted with dispatch,promoting tourism,prudent environmental management, marketing facilities and marketing of localities, liason with business, export marketing consulting services, promotion of export trading companies ad infinitum.

In this way, local government can support their businesses to export or to expand their operations, where they already exist and accrue the benefits therefrom...

May I use this opportunity to wish all the industrious farmers of our dear country, especially those at the local level whose efforts are least recognised and rewarded a happy celebration.
May the good lord continue to bless us all.

(A write-up culled from Richardson Azunu,Export Administration ,published by ICDE-University of Ghana, Legon, February, 2010.)

By ANANPANSAH, B ABRAHAM (AB)
(University of Ghana Business School and a passionate Community Radio Youth Advocate)
0241129910/0200704844

Decentralisation Concept:Key actors of the Assembly and their functions

Decentralisation Concept:Key actors of the Assembly and their functions
The decentralisation concept has since its inception brought much meaning to democracy by formerly devolving powers, functions,responsibilities and resources from the central government to actors at the lower levels.It creates a framework for citizens participation in decision making and the administration of their own affairs.

The District Assembly(the mainstay of decentralisation) is the highest political,decision making, legislative, planning and budgeting authority at the lower level.
There are certain primary actors within the Assembly whose role is critical for the smooth operations of the Assemblies and the realisation of the true essence of the decentralisation process.
These key actors comprise the following:
(a) The Metropolitan, Municipal or District Chief Executive (MMDCE)
(b) The Presiding Member (PM)
(c) The Member of Parliament (MP)
(d) The Metropolitan, Municipal or District Coordinating Director (DCD)
(f) Assembly Members (both elected and appointed)

The  functions and duties of these key actors are clearly spelt out under chapter twenty of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana as well as other legislations.

The District Chief Executive (DCE):
Article 243 of the Constitution provides that there shall be a District Chief Executive for every district who shall be appointed by the president with the prior approval of not less than two-thirds majority of members of the assembly present and voting at the meeting.
The DCE who is the chief representative of the president in the district perform the following functions:
-Presides at meetings of the Executive Committee of the Assembly;and in his absence,a member of the executive committee is elected by members present to preside at same;
-Be responsible for the day-to-day performance of the executive and administrative functions of the District Assembly;
-Be the Chief representative of the Central Government in the district;
-Chairs the Entity Tender Committee.
The DCE holds office holds office for not more than two terms (each consisting of a four year duration); and shall be removed from office through a vote of no confidence, supported by the votes of not less than two-thirds of members voting.
He can also be removed from office by the president.The office of a DCE equally becomes vacant if he resigns of dies.

The Presiding Member (PM):
Article 244 stipulates clearly that the District Assembly shall have a Presiding Member who shall be elected by the Assembly from among its members. The PM must be approved by at least two-thirds of all members of the Assembly and holds office for a term of two years and may be eligible for re-election after the end of his/her term of office.He/she is not a member of the Executive Committee.
The Presiding Member is responsible for the following functions:
-Presides over meetings of the General Assembly;
-Control deliberations of the house and ensure good conduct and behaviour of members;
-Chairs the Public Relations and Complaints Committee,Audit Report Implementation Committee and the Credit Approval Committee of the Assembly.
The Presiding Member shall cease to hold office whenever the Assembly by a majority of at least two-thirds of all members of the Assembly vote to remove him from office.

The Member of Parliament(MP):
The member of parliament is a representative of the people of the Constituency within the district in parliament and serves an important link between parliament and the Assembly.He is a member of the District Entity Tender Committee.
An MP perform the following functions:
-Guide the Assembly on laws passed by parliament to ensure that the byelaws of the assembly are not in conflict with national legislation;
-Advocate for the people in parliament with a focus on solving their identified needs;
-Attends Assembly meetings and brief the Assembly about proceedings in parliament;
-Provide useful feedback on programmes and projects of interest to the Assembly.
A member of parliament holds office for a fixed term of four years and may be eligible for re-election.

The District Coordinating Director(DCD):
The DCD is the Secretary to the Assembly and the head of the District Coordinating Directorate. He is also a member of the Local Government Service.They Coordinate, monitor,harmonise and evaluate plans, programmes and performance of the Assembly.
The District Coordinating Director is responsible for the following functions:
-Supersee the day-to-day administration of the Coordinating Directorate;
-Responsible for the implementation of decisions and plans of the Assembly;
-Responsible for effective budgeting and planning;
-Secretary to the District Assembly,Entity Tender Committee and the Executive Committee;
-Initiate, execute, monitor and evaluate development plans and programmes of the Assembly.
The DCD is not appointed but gets into office through qualifications and technical competence.

The Assembly Member:
The Assembly Member serves as a liaison between the Community and the Assembly. He is a community developer and participates in the activities of the Assembly such as attending meetings and contribute to decision making at the Assembly.
He basically discharge the following functions as prescribed by Act 462:
-Serves on at least a committee of the Assembly and participates in Committee Meetings;
-Educate the electorate on Assembly projects as well as government policies;
-Maintain Close contact with the electorates and consult them on regular basis;
-consult electorates before each Assembly Meeting on issues to be discussed in the Assembly;
-Collate the views, opinions, proposals and other matters affecting the electorates and present same to the Assembly.

Subsequent editions of this write-up will feature other important aspects of the District Assembly under the decentralisation concept.
The writer is a teacher and a student at the University Of Ghana Business School pursuing BSC in Administration with a major in Public Administration.
Read more of his works on his personal blog:ananpansah-ab.blogspot.com
May the good lord bless us all.

By ANANPANSAH, B ABRAHAM (AB)
University of Ghana Business School (UGBS)
0241129910/0200704844
Connect with me on Facebook at Critical Political Thinker

My Radio;My Voice And Right To Development

Take Away My Radio And You Take Away My Voice And Right To Development

The plea for an egalitarian society remains a mirage so long as the people have no voice and an opportunity to voice out issues that affect them directly.The voice of the people indeed is the voice of God and is sine qua non for the development of any meaningful society.

In all wisdom and ensuing from the above, the introduction of the district assembly concept was not born out of emotions but in careful furtherance and realisation of the need to give the people a voice in the administration of their own affairs . It's to consolidate our democracy and emphasize the participatory approach to development.After all, democracy and power belongs to the people.

Arguably,the various assemblies agonized with several shortcomings have not over the years adequately represented the real and felt needs and voices of the people as much as patented parochialism.

It's therfore natural to have other pronounced avenues of representing the voices of the people in the governance of local affairs as a means of expanding participatory democracy sprung up in communities.
One of such weighty avenues has being COMMUNITY RADIO.

Community radio is a third model of radio limited by guarantee that serve geographic communities and communities of interest.
They are owned, operated and influenced by the communities of interest they serve.And by nature and legal limitations are nonprofit, nonsectarian and focus on providing individuals,groups and communities a unique community space to tell their own stories, share experiences and collaborate to further community development.It's also a major avenue for preserving our rich cultural heritage.

My inflated and buoyant spirited communism was wherefore deflated and turned into a sentimental melancholy when I learned with regret that the only community radio station (Radio For Peace and Development-95.1mhz) serving as a voice to the marginalised in Damongo has suspended its operations out of a necessary evil "We've being put on prepaid metering system".And the question remains, are we taking the real development avenue of the people away from them?

It's insightful to note that as per the revenue generation code of the station, the little revenue that the station can generate is just little enough and can only be adequate for sustenance of the station with communal support.As stated, the station is the property of the community.
Is it conclusive thereupon that as a people (community) we have not been able to sustain our own? Could the station be exempted from such a metering system in the interim on consensus?Should this be a concern to every well meaning member of the community?What can we as a people do to keep the station running so our voices can be alive?

Well, I'm just a concerned member of my community who is highly convinced that the fall of the radio station is the fall of the community at large.
It's an onslaught on participatory democracy, and a crucifixion of the voices of those that matter most in development, "the people".And it's a way of taking the development of the people away from them.

I'm worried though alone, I don't have the power.But together I know we've the power to get the station working again for the larger interest.
May God bless us all.

NB.I stand with the people (community) and the views above represent my personal views and not the that of the radio station.
Read more on ananpansah-ab.blogspot.com

By ANANPANSAH, B ABRAHAM
A Community Radio Youth Advocate
0241129910/0200704844

Damongo Youth Parliament Decries Child Inimical Game of Jackpot

Press Release
19/08/2016

Damongo Youth Parliament Decries Child Inimical Game of Jackpot

As children of society, our forbearers brought us to the know that, "it takes a whole community to raise a child".We also hold the strong conviction that there is hardly a bad child. We can only have bad elders, leaders, teachers, stakeholders inter alios that let children down...

It's against this backdrop that we write with a heavyheart to matriculate our consummate disapprobation of the rather approbiously infamous game called "Jackpot" which is coined colloquially as "Kolom" in Damongo township.

It's well to note that this game which has gained notoriety to the level of a blasphemy is developed by Chinese and introduced in unsuspecting communities such as ours to further break down the moral fiber of society.
Kolom as the children affectionately call it is a game of chance not mind in which children curiously deep coins into a slot machine, and only pray for the machine to roll out some or more of the coins as a win for them. Those coins remaining in the machine belongs to the owner.And tricky enough, the machine is preset to allow the unsuspecting children to win but not beyond a certain amount.It's a well rehearsed synonym for gamble or "Chacha".

Ad nauseam,It's or should be established that this uneducational game exclusive of the fact that it teaches children nothing in real sense, push them to steal from their parents and other available sources just to play the game.Our source has also revealed that most children forsake their household chores and academic work and make all the available time for this game.Not to overstate,by this game,children are being taught to sacrifice the value of hard work for easy cut to success in life and money. And we believe this is how future armed robbers and societal liabilities and nuisance are natured. 

It,however,flies in the face of reason that despite all the glaring odds associated with this game, stakeholders and authorities appear unaware or should we say unconcerned about the inroads it's making into our society.
It's equally crestfallen and we need not remind whoever sanctioned the operation of this game in the district that s/he is doing a great disservice not only to the future of the district but to these innocent kids.

We have also made our checks and are altogether aware that this game didn't start from West Gonja District. It's important to note that it has received wide societal disapproval and ban in some towns in gonjaland such as Buipe, Salaga and Busunu...So,is it the case that the the west (West Gonja) always deserve the bad and rejected?

We must state here and now that we're not oblivious of the fact that children at a certain age learn at best through games among others.But there can be more educational oriented games that this children can be introduced to.And we, as a youth can be of great help in that regard. Indeed, most of us have tried introducing such games in the past before and are still willing to do so if deemed necessary.

We wish on a very humble note to appeal to the appropriate authorities to act and redeem the image of our dear community for the seek of posterity.
We can't promise anything for now, but we can promise that if nothing is done to arrest this situation,we will not pause but apprehend all available medias to drum home a justified cause for community and country.

Long live the people of Damongo; long live gonjaland; long live Damongo Youth Parliament and may the good Lord continue to shower His blessings on us all.

Signed:Executive Board, Damomgo Youth Parliament (DYP)
Issued:ANANPANSAH, B ABRAHAM (AB)
0241129910/0200704844