MP Champions Campaign For Female Education As Part Of Independence Day Celebration

MP Champions Campaign For Female Education As Part Of Independence Day Celebration

The Member of Parliament for Damongo Constituency,hon. Adam Mutawakilu has led a campaign to support female education in his constituency.

The MP during the occasion of the Independence Day Celebration in the West Gonja District of Northern Ghana,donated a cheque of Ghc5,000 to aid the operations of CAMFED in the District.

In donating the cheque,the legislator launched a passionate appeal to all stakeholders to support CAMFED in a bid to help sustain its operations in the District.
This he said will go a long way to promote the education of the girl child in the District.

The MP made the donation in response to a request from the District Coordinator of CAMFED,Madam Hawa Kifantang.
He guaranteed that he was going to maintain this support throughout the year.

The District Coordinator of the programme received the cheque amidst loud cheers from the gathering.She expressed complete joy for the kind gesture by the MP.

Prior to this donation,the MP had sponsored Royals Club with Ghc3,000 to organize a Spelling Bee and advanced Ghc7,000 to the Ghana Education service to strengthen monitoring and evaluation.He made a payment of Ghc20,000 for student support and donated nine sets of Jerseys to Damongo S.H.S and another six sets to Ndewura Jakpa S.H.T.S.

Background:

Campaign for Female Education (CAMFED),Ghana was launched in the year 1998 in the three Regions of Northern Ghana.It operates in 31 Districts.CAMFED Ghana builds a network around the poor and needy but brilliant girl child with the aim of getting the best of education for them.

The West Gonja District has been part of the 31 beneficiaries of this girl child educational support.The package however is almost ended and it's expected that stakeholders within the District will contribute to its sustenance.

Source:Ananpansah B Abraham

Damongo Girl's Model Wins Maiden GNAT Preindependence Basic School Quiz Competition

Damongo Girl's Model Wins Maiden GNAT Preindependence Basic School Quiz Competition

Damongo Girl's Model J.H.S in the West Gonja District of Northern Ghana has been crowned winner of the just ended GNAT Preindependence Basic School Quiz Competition.
With a total of 40 points,they beat their close contender Jafo J.H.S which polled 32 points.

Canteen J.H.S came third(3rd) with a total of 26 points.St.Anne's J.H.S obtained 19 points to occupy the fourth(4th) position and Jakpa J.H.S comfortably occupied the firth(5th) position with 6 points.

All told,the competition was adjudged a massive success.

The District Chief Executive of West Gonja District,hon.Saaed Muazu in a speech showered high praises on the contestants for displaying such remarkable erudition throughout the competition.
The DCE said he had monitored the programme as it was aired on a local radio station(Radio PAD) before making it to the venue and was impressed at the performance of the pupil.
 
Using his own life story as an example,he admonished the students to shy away from the frivolous amusement and pleasures of today and work hard for a better tomorrow.
He motivated the students to keep hopes alive no matter the circumstances.
He congratulated the GNAT for putting together such a brilliant initiative.

The District treasurer of the GNAT in an address on behalf of the chairman commended the GNAT Youth Desk and GNAT Las for the initiative.
He urged students to learn something from the competition beyond the applause and cheers.And that the success of this maiden edition will pave the way for more of such programmes.

He remarked at last that the quiz competition has been successful and the intended objective duly achieved.

The organizers of the quiz(GNAT Youth Desk/GNAT Las) thanked the contestants for putting up a clean contest.They expressed confidence in the fact that an investment in the students was an an investment in teachers.And that today's students are tomorrow's teachers.They disclosed that plans were underway to strengthen the competition in the subsequent years.They commended Damongo Girl's Model J.H.S for emerging victorious in the maiden edition and wished the other contenders better luck next year.

In attendance were the DCE of West Gonja District,District GNAT executives,the assistant headmaster of DASS,the headmaster of Jafo J.H.S,the headmistress of Damongo Girl's Model J.H.S,manager of radio pad,teachers, students and the media.

All contestants were awarded at the end of the competition.

Source:Ananpansah B Abraham

GNAT HOLDS PREINDEPENDENCE INTER-SENIOR HIGH DEBATE

GNAT HOLDS PREINDEPENDENCE INTER-SENIOR HIGH DEBATE

The Ghana National Association of Teachers(GNAT) in the West Gonja/North Gonja Districts has successfully held its Preindependence Inter-Senior High School Debate.

The debate which was organized under the aegis of the GNAT Youth Desk together with GNAT LAS forms part of effort to prepare students to better commemorate the 61st Independence Day Celebration.

The bone of contention was,"The independence of Ghana is meaningless and not worth celebrating."

Three(3) Senior High Schools in the West Gonja District featured and took their turn to battle it out for the ultimate prize.These were:Damongo Senior High School,Ndewura Jakpa Senior High/Technical School and St. Anne's Girl's Senior High School.

At the end of the competition,St. Anne's Girl's Senior High School was crowned victor of the GNAT maiden Inter-Senior High School Debate-2018.
They obtained a total of 142 points to beat their close contender Damongo S.H.S who polled 136 points.
Ndewura Jakpa Senior High/Technical School couldn't survive beyond the first round.They dropped out of the competition at the end of the first round after obtaining a total of 133 points.

In a speech read on his behalf,the MP of Damongo Constituency,Adam Mutawakilu lauded the GNAT for the initiative.
He reiterated the fact that he was once a teacher and will always continue to remain a teacher."I was once a teacher and as the saying goes,'once a teacher always a teacher,"he said.
He further stated that he was once a member of the Ghana National Association of Teachers and is still proud to associate with the mother of all teacher unions(the GNAT).He recounted his many contributions towards uplifting the standard of education in the district including student support packages.Whilst stressing his unflinching support to the GNAT in changing the face of education in the district,he pledged a sum of Ghc1,000 in support of the organization of the debate/quiz.

The district treasurer of the GNAT,Laminu Iddrisu in a short message applauded the youth desk /GNAT Las for putting together such a meritorious initiative.He disclosed that the secretariat was ready to commit resources into such initiatives moving into the future.And that the youth desk/Gnat Las will be resourced as much as possible to effectively function and execute their core mandate.

The organizers of the debate(GNAT Youth Desk/GNAT Las) thanked the contestants from the three(3) schools for putting up a clean contest.They expressed confidence in the fact that an investment in the students is an an investment in teachers.And that today's students are tomorrow's teachers.They disclosed that plans were underway to strengthen the competition in the subsequent years.They commended St Anne's Girl's S.H.S for emerging victorious in the maiden edition and wished the other contenders better luck next year.

The debate which was massively attended had dignitaries such as the MP of the Damongo Constituency through his representative,district executives of the GNAT,the director and deputy director of CHRAJ,heads of various decentralized departments,peace corps,the headmistress of SAGGIS,teachers,students and the press gracing the occasion.

All contestant are scheduled to be awarded by the GNAT during the 61st Independence Day Celebration(6th March,2018) at the town park.

The second leg of the competition which is a Preindependence quiz/what do you know is scheduled for Monday 5th March,2018, at DASS Assembly Hall,9:00am.
It will feature five(5) basic schools from the West Gonja District:Damongo Girl's Model J.H.S, Jakpa J.HS, Canteen J.H.S, Jafo J.H.S and St. Anne's R/C J.H.S.

Story by:ANANPANSAH, B ABRAHAM

NPP Youth Explain Why They Hooted At Deputy Chief of Staff

NPP Youth Explain Why They Hooted At Deputy Chief of Staff

News of NPP youth hooting at the Deputy Chief of Staff,Samuel Abu Jinapor took political watchers and commentators by surprise.
The reason for the action of the youth has since been rife with rumors.

The deputy chief of staff was heavily booed and hooted when he made attempts to pay a call to the NPP constituency chairman elect for Damongo to congratulate him minutes after the declaration of polls.Nana Kwame,the chairman elect is believed to be the "darling boy" of the 2012 and 2016 parliamentary candidate of the party.

Amidst the growing speculations,it has emerged from reports and oral testimony that the action of the youth was borne out of certain comments Samuel Abu Jinapor had made at the DCE's residence.

Ahead of the polls,all delegates were moved to the residence of the District Chief Executive where they were served breakfast.
A practice most of the delegates and youth maintained was alien insofar as NPP constituency election in Damongo was concerned.Iddrisu Laminu who contested for deputy secretary had said that this was the first time such a thing was happening in the constituency.He explained that over the years,all delegates were moved to the venue of voting dawn where they are served breakfast and lunch through their zonal coordinators.

The drama started unfolding when Samuel Jinapor told delegates at the DCE's residence that he was clearly in support of the incumbent executives.He said chairman Mbemah together with all incumbent executives should be maintained.And promised to reward delegates if they work according to plan.He gave each delegate a package and promised to do more if they retained the old executives.
This pronouncement enraged the youth and some of the delegates and contestants who were on the side of Nana Kwame.

"Regional secretary has already said it,where I stand,when ask I say it...I don't discriminate...But for me,all those who were executives before we went for the election,you are those I love.You are those I support.I supported all polling station executives and God willing most of you won....And when they were conducting Electoral Area Coordinators election,I supported all 12 electoral area coordinators.Why?Because,I support current executives.

So why is it that when it comes to constituency election,they say we should remove some and replace some.Polling station executive election,we didn't do that.Electoral Area Coordinators election,it stood same.When it comes to constituency election,they say we should remove some and replace some...
For my seek,I plead with you that after counting at the end of polls,chairman Mbemah should still still be chairman,secretary should still be secretary,women organizer should be women organiser.Current executives with your power should still be executives,"he said.

He further stated,"I cannot tell you who to vote for...But left for me,polling station executives,electoral area coordinators,constituency executives,let's maintain them...If we are going left,let's go 100%.If we are going right, let's go 100%...Today,all of you,before you go and cast your vote,I have something small for you.Chairman Mbemah and secretary will hand them over to you.But if God wills and we go for the voting, and the voting goes as we have planned,and God agrees and you agree and it goes that way,you will hear from me...Every polling station,in the next two weeks will receive a bicycle.I hear you go for funerals and weddings.I will start with a bicycle but before voting commences,every polling station will have one brand new motorbike for your work.After voting,all of us will come back here.I have dedicated a cow in the custody of chairman....After the vote,we will be back here..."

Luck however eluded the deputy chief of staff when his preferred candidate for the chairmanship position failed to make it at the end of polls. In what can be described as an attempt to make amends with the youth chairman,Nana Kwame,he paid a call to him at his residence to congratulate him but was met with the heavy presence of the youth who were celebrating the victory.The unpleasant result was the hooting down of the deputy chief of staff.

The aggrieved youth had initially attempted denying him access to the voting grounds under the guise that he was not a registered voter in the constituency.It took the timely intervention of the security details at the gate for him to make his way through.

The NPP constituency election was sharply divided along two lines.The side of Winifred Mbemah was highly favored by the deputy chief of staff.Nana Kwame and his "battalions were however believed to be on the side of the 2012 and 2016 parliamentary candidate of the party,Albert Diwura Kassimu.

Source:Ananpansah B Abraham

Rainstorm plunges entire Bole into darkness

Rainstorm plunges entire Bole into darkness

An unusual rainstorm has plunged the entire Bole in the Bole-Bamboi district of Northern Ghana into total darkness.

The rainstorm which occurred between the hours of 8:30pm and 10:00pm Monday night caused a lot of destruction.

The hardest hit areas are the Bole Health Centre and Kurabaso Primary School where the roofs of both buildings got totally ripped off.

The strong winds pulled down a mosque at Yelwe near Atta 130's house.The old roofs of the Ghana Commercial Bank story building in the district got ripped off as well.

Communities such as Sawaba,Mempeasem,Jakala among others saw the roofs of many houses being pulled with accompanying lost in valuable properties.

A lot of trees also went down.

Some VRA extension poles and wires have been pulled down causing the blackout. It can be confirmed that the entire Bole District is still in darkness at the time of filing this report.

Confirming the incident in an interview with Ghanaweb's northern regional correspondent,Akilu Gideon,a local reporter with Bole based Nkiligi FM disclosed that the extent of damage caused is massive.He mentioned that the people are in dire need of support and are gripped with fear since it was the first time the district was experiencing such a thing.

Meanwhile,the NADMO office in the district is ascertaining the extent of damage caused for appropriate action.

Many have however started blaming the leaders for being the cause of the rainstorm.In their view,the leaders failed to bring an end to the illegal logging activities which increased with impunity in and around the district.This they say is now exposing the district and others to the vagaries of the weather.

Source:Ananpansah B Abraham

Armed military men brutalize civilian

Armed military men brutalize civilian

Armed military men have inflicted severe wounds on a civilian in Damongo in the West Gonja District of Northern Ghana.

The incident occurred around the Catholic Guest House junction a few kilometres away from Damongo township between the hours of 1:00pm-3:00pmTuesday afternoon.
This was after the victim,Jyimah Ibrahim popularly known as Kashinteng,a well known businessman and wielding engineer in the district had stopped by on a drive to ease himself.

The military men numbering three(3) where believed to be traveling from Tamale to Wa when they spotted the victim.
Dressed in their military uniforms with a military van,they drove by and stopped to interrogate him.

Upon stopping,they asked who the owner of the packed car was and the victim owned up.They further queried whether that was the proper way of packing....And before the victim could say jack,one of the military men forced opened the door of his car and found a single barrel and a pistol therein.He yelled for the attention of his colleagues that the victim was carrying a weapon.

One of the military men immediately corked his gun and ordered the victim to go on his knees(kneel) to which he obliged.He ordered for a thorough search of his car under the guise that he was a criminal.The car of the victim was ransacked.All his phones were seized.A cash sum of Ghc2,800 was confiscated from the victim.

The victim attempted explaining that he was not a criminal and that the weapons were dully registered.He tried to show them the registration documents to the weapons but the military will have non of that.
He was hit severally on the head with a wheel spanner until blood started oozing.

They pressed on the victim to accept that he was a criminal to which he insisted he was not one.They ask him to lie flat on the ground.He was handcuffed.

The military men then threatened to carry him along to Wa if he doesn't own up or do something.The victim explained that there was a police command in the district and he was willing to submit himself to any kind of investigation.The military declined to refer the victim to the district police command for investigation with the reason that the police are always in bed with criminals.

They drove the victim pass the district and the District Police Command and stopped a few kilometres to a near by community called Laribanga.They ask the victim to "talk like a man" else if the case gets to Wa,it will become a very big case.
They further threatened to take his weapons to which he declined.

They proceeded with the victim until another well known civilian(name withheld) in the district chanced upon them.Upon seeing the local business mogul in that state,he tried intervening but the military insisted they have to carry the victim to Wa.
He confirmed that the victim was a well respected businessman in the district and not a criminal as purported.

The military still failed to see reason.At a point they demanded the Intervening civilian pay a sum of Ghc5,000 before they release him.The intervening civilian after a long thought and upon persistent quest by the military men gave out an undisclosed sum to the military on the blind side of the victim.
The military afterwards took Ghc1,000 from from the Ghc2,800 they initially collected from the victim before setting him free.

The victim was immediately driven to the West Gonja Catholic hospital where he was treated and discharged.

Narrating his ordeal in an interview with Ghanaweb.com,the victim who felt traumatised feared the military were not out to protect the country.He wondered why after taking money they set him free without carrying out any investigation as they initially insisted.He confirmed he has since reported the matter to the West Gonja District Police Command.

When queried as to whether he was able to make up the victims or the number on the military van,the victim disclosed that he was only able identify one of the men who was driving the van as Bissi as written on the tag of his military uniform. He also said that the number on the military van was 69 WA.He prayed justice is served in this matter to serve as a deterrent to others.

When contacted,Chief Inspector Gbeve of the District Police Command confirmed the matter has been brought to their attention and was under investigation.He was unable to disclose further information on the matter since it was still under investigation.

Source:Ananpansah B Abraham//Ghanaweb.com

Kwame Aboagye elected chairman of NPP, Damongo Constituency

Kwame Aboagye elected chairman of NPP, Damongo Constituency

Aboagye Kwame has been elected chairman of the ruling New Patriotic Party(NPP) for the Damongo Constituency.

He obtained a total of 177 votes out of the total votes cast of 305 to beat his close contender,Winifred Mbemah,the incumbent who polled 127 votes. Kumatey Alex had no vote(0).One (1) rejected vote was recorded.

The other positions and the respective votes obtained by the individual candidates as declared by the electoral commission are:

1st VICE CHAIRMAN;

1.Braimah Adam-118.
2. Siakoni Robert Vug-41
3.Issifu Soalehu Denkari-31.
4. Musah Issahaku-113.
1 rejected.

2nd VICE CHAIRMAN;

1. Mbonwura Jimah Awudu-142.
2. Salia Mukaila-59.
3. Mahama Seidu Alex-103.
1 rejected.

SECRETARY;

1. Ayuba Seidu-151.
2.Karim M. Kusubari-153 .
1 rejected.

DEPUTY SECRETARY;

1.Sumani Inusah -162.
2.Iddrisu Laminu-142.
1 rejected.

ORGANIZER;

1.Abu Jaja-156.
2. Mumuni Seidu-30.
3.Zibo Rauf-118.
1 rejected.

YOUTH ORGANIZER;

1.Issahaku Majeed-102.
2. Yakubu Yussif-101.
3.Zakaria Wahab-9.
4. Atta Zack-89.
Rejected 4.

WOMEN ORGANIZER;

1.Helen Azara Natomah-113.
3.Ayi Mahama-107.
3 Afisah Jakpa-83.
2 rejected votes.

TREASURER;

1. Ali Abubakari -157.
2. Alhassan Abdul Mubasir-23.
3. Ansumah Dabor-122.
3 rejected votes.

Sumani Inusah,the deputy secretary elect thanked the delegates for the confidence reposed in him.He assured that they were going to work to secure a permanent constituency office for the party.This he said would be a right step forward in making the party attractive to the grassroot.

Laminu Iddrisu,who also contested for the position of deputy secretary but lost said he was happy because of the little change that had occurred with the chairman and secretary position. Election he said was about choices and not about somebody someone wants.
He was however not happy about the interference in the election by some bigwigs.This he believed affected the chances of most of them.

The election was generally peaceful except for some few disturbances that heralded the process especially at the entrance to the election ground.

The process became confrontational from the start when the youth largely supporters of Nana Kwame were blocked at the entrance from gaining access to the venue to witness the election by the police.The police insisted that without accreditation,no one will be allowed access to the voting grounds and its vicinity.A directive which the youth said was alien and a marked departure from the past insofar as the internal election of the NPP in the constituency was concerned.

They accused the deputy chief of staff, Samuel Abu Jinapor for being behind such a directive and the heavy security presence which they said was meant to scare them.

The aggrieved youth also said they were not comfortable with his presence since be had no direct stake and a voting right in the constituency.
They insisted he must also show his card before they allow him access to the venue...And attempted preventing him from entering but for the
timely intervention of the security.

They believed he should have remained neutral throughout the process instead of taking sides with the incumbent who was also seeking reelection.

What got many people talking after the election was the hooting down of the deputy chief of staff when he had attempted to congratulate Nana Kwame at his residence.The youth who went ballistic,hooted at him until he left the scene.

Source:Ananpansah B Abraham