1D1F:Assembly Cuts Sod For Construction Of Business Resource Centre In Damongo

1D1F:Assembly Cuts Sod For Construction Of Business Resource Centre In Damongo

The West Gonja District Assembly in the northern region of Ghana has cut sod for the construction of a Business Advisory/Resource Center (BAC) in Damongo.This falls in line with the One District,One Factory flagship programme of the Akuffo-Addo led government.

The District Coordinating Director,Mr. Salifu Mahmmod who represented the DCE at the ceremony,handed over the contract site and plan to Tonacom Company limited,the contractors,who are expected to complete the project within nine (9) months with funding from African Development Bank.
The director reiterated the fact that,it has always been the long term objective of the assembly to construct such a resource center to aid the growth of local businesses and create jobs for the teaming youth."We are so much interested in creating jobs for the teaming youth to improve the life style or welfare of the people for better future.The resource center will exist to assist in promoting economic activities towards job creation, improved efficiency, increased profit and poverty alleviation in the District,"he said.

According to him,the assembly was among the few beneficiaries of the project, urging the contractors to consider local content in employment and work within stipulated time in executing the contract, adding that all the due processes has been followed in securing the land and there was no fear of litigation now or in the future.
He urged the District Works Department to ensure value for money by strictly supervising the execution of the project,disclosing that the DCE was in Accra for an equally important assignment which includes securing a commercial bus for the assembly.

The presiding member (PM),Hon.Dramani Katribi thanked the Trade and Tourism ministry for choosing West Gonja District among the 30 Districts benefiting from the project across the country and three(3) Districts in the northern region.He craved for quality work from the contractor and preached the local content theory,calling on the contractor to consider the local labour in executing the contract.
As the Assembly person of the area,he promised to render his full support to the contractors to deliver quality work.

The consultant, Mr. Samuel Opata explained that,in line with government's policy of assisting Small, Medium and Large scale businesses geared towards the taking off of the One District- One Factory (1D-1F), the center will provide all the necessary support to people who want to start new businesses and help improve on the few existing one's.
He said,"The resource centers which were started sometime ago have been upscaled to Business Resource Centers.In the northern region, Damongo, Sagnerigu and Yendi are the proud beneficiaries of the lot-5 after they successfully went through the procurement process.The site was inspected on two different occasions. It has gone through the design face,accepted by the experts and the funding agency,African Development Bank".
He called on the assembly to provide the needed support to the contractor to enable him execute the job in time by holding regular site meetings with the right stakeholders.

The District Engineer, Mr Richard Atta Yawson,disclosed that he was going to work closely with the Works department to make sure the contractor delivers quality work within stipulated time.He reminded the contractor of the need to speed up work because of the rains, and never hesitate to seek for assistance when the need arises.

The leader of the construction company, Mr. Jonathan Dotse promised his outfit was going to deliver the project within the nine month contract period and will fall on the people for human resource and the assembly for the needed support.

The short ceremony was graced by the District Coordinating Director and his deputy, the Human Resource Manager and his deputy, representatives from the Planning Department,Procurement and Budget unit,Traditional council,the NPP among others.

732 students sit for BECE in West Gonja District

732 students sit for BECE in West Gonja District

The 2018  Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) has commenced in the West Gonja District in Northern Ghana in earnest with a total of 732 students from 23 public schools and one private school taking part.

This include 388 male students representing 53.005% and 344 female students representing 46.994%.
The total number of candidates(732) represent  0.001240 of the national average(590,000 students).

The District Examination Officer, Mr.Ananpansah Bartholomew confirming the numbers to Ghanaweb.com,disclosed that a total of six (6) students were absent after the roll call.This includes three(3) recorded death cases.

The District Chief Executive,Hon.Saaed Muhazu in a goodwill message cautioned the students against all forms of examination malpractices.
He asked the students to remain focused and obey all the rules and regulations governing the conduct of the examination.
He wished the candidates well and advised the teachers  leading the students to the exam centre to stay far away from the exam premises after presenting the candidates...

Students who qualify into Senior High Schools will be the second batch of beneficiaries of governments' flagship programme, free senior high...
Students according the Ghana Education Service will also be given three weeks after their examination to select their preferred choices of schools for placement.

Source:Ananpansah B Abraham

N/R:Anti-Snake Venom Supposed To Be Free Cost Patient Ghc1,600

N/R:Anti-Snake Venom Supposed To Be Free Cost Patient Ghc1,600

The plight of patients suffering from snake bites in the Northern Region of Ghana seem to be sweeping forward...There is always a surge in the cases of snake bites during the rainy season due to the flooding of burrows of snakes.

It is well to note that,most of the cases of snake bites in Northern Ghana are from rural areas due to farming activities as well as sheanut("Northern cocoa") picking.Poverty in these areas for the want of better words ran rife.

Anti-Snake serum also known as anti-snake venum is the single most effective antidote for snake Venom.Not only is the Antivenom expensive but it's in short supply most of the time, a situation clearly evident in the West Gonja Catholic hospital in the Northern Region.Worthy of note is the fact that, the vaccine is a program drug supposed to be administered for free,but in most of the cases,it passes through the system and end up in private hands somehow and sold to patients at cut-throat prices.

Checks at the hospital show that a total of 51 known cases of snake bites and four unknown cases have been recorded so far in 2018. Out of the 51 known cases, four deaths have been recorded.
This is against a total out-patients morbidity rate of 101 and in-patients morbidity rate of 68 recorded in the whole of 2017.There were two(2) in-patients related deaths within the same period.
2016 saw a total of 69 out-patients cases and 49 in-patients cases being recorded.
In 2015, the in-patients mobidity rate was 80 and out-patient mobidity was 77.A total of 2 in-patients mortality cases were recorded.

Remy Nyewie,the Administrator of the hospital feared it was early days to be recoding such figures in 2018.The hospital according to him,is challenged in containing majority of the cases due to the short supply of the Anti-snake serum,revealing that they had made an initial requisition for the Anti-Snake Serum but only received 40 vials whilst within the same period, Bole Government hospital was given 100 vials.
On May 23, they requested again for 150 vials from the Regional Medical Stores but have since received only 10.A number he said was woefully inadequate considering the number of cases they record on a daily basis.A single patient he further stated can take the whole of the 10 vials.

He lamented that their status as CHAG (Christian Health Association of Ghana) could be what is affecting them,adding that patients have had to be referred to get the vaccine from outside due to its short supply at the facility.He added that the vaccine is supposed to be administered for free and not for sale.

Nzemba Moses is from Bawuna, a farming community in the North Gonja District of Northern Ghana.He is currently taking care of his middle aged brother on admission for snake bite at the hospital and narrated his ordeal to Ghanaweb's Ananpansah B Abraham.
According to Moses,they were initially compelled to message for 2 vials of the vaccine in Tamale at a cost of Ghc600 because the hospital had run out of stock.A further request for 2 vials cost them Ghc500, and a third request for 2 vials again cost them Ghc500.This adds up to a total cash amount of Ghc1600.He disclosed he and his other brother had to 'squeeze' the money to message for the Anti-Snake Venom from their little savings and borrowing from relatives and friends.

Out of financial frustration,Moses wrote to the hospital requesting that his brother be discharged so they can go home and continue with the local treatment.His reason being that they had spent enough and were cash-strapped, and couldn't afford even a single night of the bed fee in the facility any longer.

Stephen Kubbour,a staff nurse at the hospital explained his decision could be dangerous,since the venom in the body of the patient needed to be cleared, explaining that if that is not done, a little cut can cause him to bleed to death due to poor blood clotting.

Moses however, wouldn't take that for an explanation due to the financial burden and frustration.
The story of Moses and his brother, Mahama Baffo (the victim of the snake bite) is just one out of the many.

The affected patients when spoken to, appealed to the government to respond promptly to the requisition of the hospital management and check the leakage of the vaccine in the open market.

The checks of this writer reveals that the vaccine,even though,needed most at the rural areas considering the season which happen to be their season of gathering is rather prioritised in terms of supply at the centre and hardly gets to such areas most needed but rather finds its way to the open market for sale.

Source:Ananpansah B Abraham

CAYDA Donates Text Books,Assorted Items Worth Thousands Of Ghana Cedis To Canteen J.H.Ss

CAYDA Donates Text Books,Assorted Items Worth Thousands Of Ghana Cedis To Canteen J.H.Ss

Canteen Yaara Development Association (CAYDA),a youth group located in Damongo in the Northern Region has donated standard text books and other assorted items worth thousands of Ghana Cedis to Canteen Junior High Schools (Block A and Block B).

The donation was done by members of Canteen Yaara Development Association Educational Committee(CAYDA EDUCOM) led by its chairman,Mr.Kichana Emmanuel on behalf of the association.
The committee donated among other things;2 standard graph boards,several copies each of standard text books and past question books covering all the subjects examined at the basic level(Mathematics, English language, Integrated Science, Social Studies, BDT, and R.M.E),200 exercise books,a bundle of HB pencil crayons,liquid black board paint, chalk....

In a short speech,Chief Abdallah Tolodompewura(Mornoh) disclosed that the donation was part of a comprehensive plan by the association to contribute to the development of Canteen and improve the standard of education in the community.He said it was a way Canteen Yaara home and away could give back to society what society has given to them.
He admonished the students,especially the final year students to make good use of the opportunity provided despite the limited time to change the results of this year's BECE in both schools.Lamenting that last year's result was not anything good to "boast home about and glorify.

The chairman of CAYDA EDUCOM,Mr.Kichana Emmanuel cautioned the students against misemploying the items donated,adding that the students should endeavor to handle the text books properly to the benefit of not only them but future generations.
He said quantifying the donated items in monetary terms meant a lot of money.And the onus was on students to utilise the books at best.
The group according to him is just complementing the effort of the education office to deliver good education to the community.

The Assistant Director in charge of Basic Schools,Mr.Asumah who represented the District Director lauded the association for the donation.He disclosed that it has been a long time he has seen such a thing,where a group of individuals come together to support the educational pursuit of their community. He said he was aware the association was already implementing free extra classes for the final year students.But like Oliver Twist,he appealed to the association to do more....The District Director according to him had wished to be present himself but for other schedules.
He appealed to the teachers and the students not to let the association down but convert the support to good performance.

The assemblyman for the area, hon. Adam Gadafi used the opportunity to advise the students to take their studies very serious.He applauded CAYDA for the initiative.

In briefing the gathering about the progress of the CAYDA Extra Classes, the Secretary of CAYDA EDUCOM,Ananpansah B Abraham disclosed that the extra class was progressing in earnest.
He further stated that plans were far advanced to write a standard mock from next week onwards.The extra class which will continue to run until the final year students exit according to him,has been moved to the afternoon to make way for the regular school session.
The community as well as the students and teachers have been supportive in the course,he said.

In attendance were the chairman of CAYDA EDUCOM Mr.Kichana Emmanuel,Chief Abdallah Tolodompewura(Mornoh),AD in charge of basic schools,Mr.Asumah,hon.Albert Diwura Kassimu,the assembly man for Canteen Electoral Area,Adam Gadafi,the Secretary of CAYDA EDUCOM, Ananpansah B Abraham,Mr.Abu Jajah,a member of CAYDA EDUCOM,madam Namnata,a member of CAYDA EDUCOM,the headmasters of Canteen J.H.S. Block A and Block B and Canteen Primary Block A and Block B,teachers,opinion leaders, parents and students.

The about thirty minutes ceremony was carried live on Radio for Peace and Development (PAD 95.1mhz).

Canteen Yaara Development Association (CAYDA) is a youth group inaugurated in the latter part of 2017 to champion the developmental course of Canteen.The association aside the today's donation was currently sponsoring extra classes for all final year J.H.S students of Canteen.

Sealed by:
ANANPANSAH B ABRAHAM
(SECRETARY-CAYDA EDUCOM)

KICHANA EMMANUEL
(CHAIRMAN-CAYDA EDUCOM)

Source:Ananpansah B Abraham (AB)

Canteen Yaara Development Association Commences (Free) Extra Classes For Final Year Students

Canteen Yaara Development Association Commences (Free) Extra Classes For Final Year Students

Canteen Yaara Development Association (CAYDA),a youth group in Damongo,the Northern Region of Ghana has successfully commenced "free" extra classes for final year students preparing to write this year's Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE).

The beneficiaries of the package which full cost is being absorbed by the association include all final year students of Canteen Junior High School(Block A and Block B);and any other interested final year J.H.S student resident in Canteen but schooling outside the community.

The extra classes is part of a comprehensive package being rolled out by the association under its Education Committee (CAYDA-EDUCOM).The aim is to change the face of education in Canteen and arrest the falling standard of education in the community.

Students under the package will receive weekly motivation,including text books.Teachers will be motivated on a monthly basis.

The teachers recruited for the classes are regular teachers of canteen J.H.S (Block A and B) and some teachers from the community.

The focus in the interim is on the final year students due to the limited time at their disposal.Then gradually,the primary schools and subsequent batches would be phased-in in a comprehensive and well planned package.

Prior to starting the extra classes,the Education Committee of Canteen Yaara Development Association(CAYDA-EDUCOM) had series of meetings with stakeholders ranging from teachers,school authorities,parents,pupil,opinion leaders where the idea was overwhelmingly endorsed.

The Circuit supervisor of Canteen Circuit and a rep from the education service in the district have been part of these meetings.

Canteen Yaara Development Association (CAYDA) is a youth group inaugurated in the latter part of 2017 to champion the developmental course of Canteen.

Parents are entreated to advise their wards to take advantage of the classes and be serous in that regard.

Sealed:
(CAYDA-EDUCOM official communication),

Ananpansah B Abraham (AB)
(Secretary-CAYDA EDUCOM)

Kichana Emmanuel
(Chairman-CAYDA EDUCOM)

Story filed by ANANPANSAH AB
(Village Writer)

N/R:GNAT organizes entrepreneural/business management training for young teachers

N/R:GNAT organizes entrepreneural/business management training for young teachers

The Ghana National Association of Teachers(GNAT),Northern Region has successful trained young teachers in the region in Entrepreneurship and Business Management.

The training was held at GNAT Hall in Tamale,the Northern Region of Ghana with the aim of equipping young enterprising teachers with the requisite skills to start their own businesses or manage existing ones'.The training also falls in-line with the GNAT Youth Policy.

The one-day Business Management training under the auspices of Northern Regional GNAT Youth Desk,saw 14 GNAT Districts across the region with a total of  29 participants undergoing the training.

Speaker upon speaker,the young teachers were advised to plan today and live a life beyond retirement.Participants were also taken through how to start, sustain and run an entrepreneurial business.

The Deputy Regional manager, National Board for Small Scale Industries(NBSSI), Mr.Mohammed in a presentation reiterated the fact that there were many opportunities for young teachers to start and manage their own businesses. What the teachers needed to do was to prepare a comprehensive business plan and seek for the right funding.

He mentioned specifically of sources of business financing such as Rural Enterprise Programme(REP), Angel Investors,Virgin Capital, NBSSI, MASLOC,National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Fund (NEIF), Skills Development Fund (SDF),MTN Group Venture Incubation Programme,African Women Development Fund for Social entrepreneurship inter alia as opportunities opened for young teachers with business ideas.

Depending on only one stream of capital(salary) to him is dangerous in this era of heightened entrepreneurship and globalisation.Young teachers must endeavor not to die with those rich business ideas.

Mr .Charles Atiah,the CEO of the award winning Dream Consult and Suppliers in a presentation on Entrepreneurship and Business Management advised the youth in the teaching fraternity to have a vision,never ever think small, ignore the naysayers, work hard and give back.

These he said were the five rules that made Arnold Schwarzenegger's who he is today.

Starting a business according to him is like going into labour:"Don't wait till old age when you don't have energy to push.Give the business the time a nursing mother gives to her baby,"he added.

He advised young teachers against bloating their payslips with unnecessary and unproductive loans.

The regional GNAT chairman,regional GNAT Secretary,Regional youth coordinator and 14 District youth coordinators were some of the GNAT officers present for the training.

Source:Ananpansah B Abraham (AB)

Fire officer gunned down in Damongo

Regional News of Sun, 15 Apr 20188

Fire officer gunned down in Damongo

A station officer at the Sawla Branch of the Ghana National Fire Service has been shot dead in Damongo, the West Gonja District of Northern Ghana.

Elliasu Cosmas Mahama was on his way from his yam farm when he met his untimely death.

The fire officer though stationed in Sawla has his family in Damongo and usually visits them during the weekends. He was on such usual visits and decided to get some yam from his farm, and was hit by a stray bullet whilst on his way back.

The body has been deposited at the West Gonja Catholic Hospital and will be transported to Kpembi for burial.

The matter has been reported to the Damongo Police station.

Residents who are alarmed following the sad story are calling for security to be beefed up in the town.

Story by Ananpansah B Abraham (AB)