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Upper East Media Caucus Get – Together Held in Bolgatanga

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Media Personnel in the Upper East Region have held a get-together to fraternize, relive some glorious moments and to share and discuss relevant issues concerning the media fraternity in the Upper East Region.

The program which was the first of its kind in the region brought together journalists and presenters from across the media landscape in the region plus other stakeholders. Personnel from A1 Radio, Tanga Radio, Word FM, GBC Ura radio, Sahel FM, Gurune Style FM and reporters for print media outlets all graced the occasion.

Brain Child of the maiden edition of the program Albert Sore said the essence of the program is to bring together all media personnel in the region onto a common recreational platform to refresh, network and review the work and impact of the media in the region and to uphold the synergy that exists amongst persons in the profession in the Upper East Region.

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Amidst dancing, eating and drinking, some pertinent issues bothering on the profession were raised which included the need to trigger an agenda on topical developmental issues in the region which needs to be highlighted and prosecuted. There were calls for a conscious effort by all to improve the quality of reportage and on air presentations to meet the growing standard of the job.

Upper East regional correspondent for the Chronicle Newspaper William Nlanjarbor Jalula noted that inasmuch as the country is preparing to launch into a heated political season where those seeking political mandate will be crisscrossing one another and seeking for public attention through the media, it still behooves journalists to consider as paramount bread and butter issues and rather focus more on reporting on matters that are development oriented to culminate in the improvement of lives of the people in the region.

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Public Relations Officer for Shanxi Mining Company Ghana Ltd. Maxwel Wooma underscored the need for presenters to reinvigorate professionalism and maturity in their dealings on air in order not to fall short of meeting the demands of matured and discerning listeners. He opined that the almost readily available media platforms in the region has given many young people the opportunity to showcase their talent but many have failed as a result of their unwillingness to mature and rise beyond some infantile  way of hosting programs. This according to him is sinking some porosity in the profession and that must be checked through self-capacity building and conscious effort for maturity.

The get-together was held in the conference hall of the all new TAP HOTEL in Bolgatanga and had close to 50 people in attendance. The second edition is expected in January 2017.

By: Azongo Albert | A1RADIOONLINE.com | GHANA

 

Bolgatanga Gets New MCE

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President John Dramani Mahama has appointed Aboore Adongo Philip as the Municipal Chief Executive for the Bolgatanga Municipality in accordance with the Constitution and Local Government Act.

In a statement issued by the Communications Bereau of the Flagstaff House Wednesday evening, the President appointed eight Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives.

Philip Aboore Adongo until his appointment on Wednesday was the Municipal Director for the Non-Formal Education Division and also Constituency Organizer for the National Democratic Congress for the Bolgatanga Central Constituency.

The MCE position for the Bolgatanga Municipal Chief Executive became vacant after the former MCE, Hon. Edward Ayiriba Ayagle handed over to the Upper East Regional Minister, James Zuugah Tiigah on August 18th 2015.

Mr. Aboore’s appointment is expected to be approved by members of the Assembly within the next 21 days.

A1 Radio’s sources at the assembly said the approval of Mr. Philip Aboore Adongo as Municipal Chief Executive will be swift due to the long absence of an MCE which has stalled the work of the assembly over the past months.

By: Azongo Albert | A1RADIOONLINE.COM | GHANA

 

Bongo NHIS Manager Urge Service Providers to Submit Claims on Time

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Seidu Mahamadu Akugri - Bongo NHIA Manager
Seidu Mahamadu Akugri - Bongo NHIA Manager

Bongo District Manager of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), Mr. Mahamadu Seidu Akugri has expressed his displeasure over delays in submission of claims by health service providers accredited under the scheme remarking that the undue delays often affects the smooth procedure of paying claims.

Mr. Akugri revealed that some NHIS service providers across the Bongo District have since not submitted their claims to his office dating as far back as July, 2015.

Bongo District Manager who expressed his worry over the delay in claims submission at the scheme’s review meeting with service providers held in Bongo urged the service providers to diligently examine claims vetting reports issued by the scheme in order not to repeat mistakes that lead to deductions in claims.

Mr. Akugri admonished authorities to avoid focusing their attention only on the claims cash while ignoring vital information in the vetting reports such as reasons for particular deductions by the NHIS so as to avoid cuts in claims submitted.

While pledging the elimination of some challenges the scheme and its providers often faced as a result of the introduction of new payment policies such as the NHIS capitation, he commended the providers for standing by NHIS especially during trying times where claims redemption had delayed.

Mr. Akugri has therefore entreated staff of provider facilities to study documents on the NHIS capitation in order that they become abreast of its details and adapt to them accordingly.

Kasimu Abudulai who spoke on behalf of the Upper East Regional Director of the NHIA, Sebastian Alagpulinsa disclosed that effective 1st December, 2015, the National Health Insurance Authority announced the upward adjustment of prices of over 88 percent of the 522 medicines on the medicine list with just a few of the medicines having their prices remain the same. He noted that about 44 percent of the citizens in Bongo District were yet to choose their Preferred Primary Provider and therefore charged service providers to strengthen their efforts in getting more clients to choose them as the preferred providers since the more clients a facility has is directly proportionate to the capitation it will receive from the NHIS.

Assistant Claims Officer with Bongo NHIS, Abu Eric Kamboe in a presentation revealed that 28 accredited facilities were rendering services to clients of the Bongo NHIS comprising the Bongo District Hospital, Health Centres, CHPS compounds and a private chemical shop.

In order to enhance the NHIS system and injecting more efficiency into its work Mr. Kamboe reiterated the timely submission of claims from providers, prompt claims reconciliation by both the NHIA and providers and use of permanent staff for claims processing at the provider-end.

Some service providers during the review meeting expressed their displeasure that staff of the NHIS in the district were in the habit of visiting their facilities for inspection unannounced explaining such unannounced visits disrupts clinical services.

Meanwhile, a provider from the Beo CHPS compound appealed to authorities of the NHIS to set up a field registration centre at the area so as to get more clients onto the NHIS.

By: Joshua Asaah/A1radioonline.com/Ghana

 

Bolgatanga Residents Cry over Military Brutalities

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Library File

Some residents of Bolgatanga in the Upper East region have decried some brutalities visited on them by personnel of the Ghana Armed Forces during late hours of the night.

The security personnel were deployed to the Bolgatanga Municipality to curtail renewed clashes following some disturbances between two chieftaincy factions in the Bolgatanga traditional area some four months ago.

Some residents who spoke to a1radioonline.com have accused the military men of virtually mounting barriers on some roads around the Atulbabisi area during late hours of the night to stop and whip riders without crash helmets.

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According to them, the habit of the soldiers to immediately met out slaps and lash their victims with whips and sticks is unacceptable and a violation of their human rights. They opined that if the military men wish to venture into the arrest of riders without helmets, then they should instead hand over culprits to the police but not subject them to inhumane treatment.

A resident who narrated his ordeal on condition of anonymity said he was stopped by the men in uniform at about 10:20pm on Thursday because he was on a motor bike without helmet. He added that before he could utter a word, he was surrounded and given hefty slaps and whips before being released.

In what appears to be an incessant action by the military men, Upper East regional correspondent for the Daily Guide newspaper Ebo Bruce Quansah was also assaulted in a similar fashion by same military men during late hours of Sunday in an attempt to establish the authenticity of claims made by residents against the soldiers.

“Some guys called me and informed me when I was away so I promised to check as soon as I arrive. Unfortunately I just fell into their hands and they will not listen to anything. They started beating me with copper wires and big sticks. They just hit everywhere including my stomach, back and my head. Unfortunately as they kept shouting go go go, my motor bike had failed to start and every one of them started coming and just beating me. I thought I would even suffer some internal bleeding.” Mr. Ebo said.

The actions of the security personnel are generating anger amongst the residents who have threatened to use appropriate means to report them to the rightful authorities.

By: Azongo Albert | A1RADIOONLINE.com | GHANA

 

EC must focus on what’s Important and Not what’s Convenient – Prof. Mike Oquaye

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Prof. Mike Oquaye
Prof. Mike Oquaye

Former Second Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Prof. Mike Ocquaye has asked the Electoral Commission to address pertinent issues with regards to electoral reforms rather than shifting attention by embarking on an inspection of constituency offices of political parties.

This remark comes in at a period when the Electoral Commission is considering to bar political parties from participating in next year’s elections if they do not meet the requirement of having an appreciable nationwide presence.

Speaking on A1 Radio’s Day Break Upper East show Wednesday, Prof. Mike Ocquaye said although it is constitutional for every political party to be present in most constituencies, the most pertinent issue in the country at the moment is the need for electoral reforms especially the need for a new voters’ register.

He said the commission had a whole year and has more years ahead to do the inspection of constituency offices and that it was of no importance currently as the need for the implementation of electoral reforms should be paramount especially the need for a new voters’ register.

“Yes it is a requirement and the political parties are expected meet them. They sat there for 365 days and they have more days ahead of them to visit these constituencies. I am saying there is something that is vital and crucial facing the nation today for which we formed a committee on it. All the political parties agree that the voters’ register is flawed and that is what the EC should look at. The issue is what should be done with the flawed register?” he said.

He lamented the lack of allocation for the voters’ register in the electoral commission’s budget presented to the parliament for approval saying “what is even more frightening is, you put a budget before parliament and that budget does not contain matters relating to the voters’ register. So you begin to ask, is that a move to sidestep such important matter. Anyone who does this does not have the betterment of the country at heart.”

Prof. Mike Oquaye also questioned the modus operandi of the manual verification which he said is not enough to settle the nagging issue of persons not being able to vote as a result of rejection by the verification machine.

He called on the commission to prioritize in its dealing the most important issue to address is implementation of electoral reforms stating that “it is good to do what is important than what is convenient”.

He reiterated his call for a West Africa electoral commission which he believes will put to rest the issue of people of other nationalities voting in Ghana.

By: Offei-Akoto Ayeh | A1RADIOONLINE.com | GHANA

 

Serial Callers in Upper East Region Raise Concerns over Neglect

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Serial Callers and Communicators for the ruling National Democratic Congress and the biggest opposition party, New Patriotic Party in the Upper East Region are decrying the utter neglect of them by party officials in the region.

The communicators say they have always used their own meager resources in communicating and defending their party’s policies and programs and making their party attractive to the people of the Upper East Region as party officials sit unconcerned.

They made this disclosure when they spoke to A1 radio’s Azongo Albert on the stations flagship program, Day Break Upper East, Wednesday.

According to them, the impression bundled about that they receive some remittances and offers from leadership of their parties for frequently calling into political programs on Radio and Television stations in and outside the region is false. They disclosed that they receive “no pesewa” from anyone as a form of appreciation and motivation to keep communicating for their parties but their commitment is born out of love for the parties and believe in their ideologies.

Abdallah Jonathan, member of the NDC communication team who doubles as the Bolgatanga Central constituency secretary mentioned that, although in the past the communicators of his party were somehow motivated, currently they have been left to their fate to sell their party with their own resources.

He noted that some communicators have had to absent themselves from political discussions on radio stations in the region because sometimes, they face difficulty in even raising cash to fuel their automobiles.

He mentioned that they have selflessly defended and marketed their parties and that regional executives of the party in the region should accord them utmost respect and also motivate them to do more for the growth of their parties.

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A popular serial caller by name Landlord said it is disheartening when as serial callers and communicators; they court a chunk of enemies for themselves but are neglected by officials of the party whose course they are fighting.

On his part, Abu who communicates for the New Patriotic Party said apart from the party’s deceased Regional Chairman, Adams Mahama, none of their party officials seeks the welfare of the communicators.

He mentioned that the utter neglect of communicators for the parties was dangerous for the growth of the party in the region. He questioned how effective they can be when individuals who are expected to make the parties attractive are themselves hungry and unattractive.

He charged party Gurus and especially party executives and representatives in the region to take it upon themselves to see to the welfare of their communicators because they will be of much importance in the upcoming year.

By: Offei-Akoto Ayeh | A1RADIOONLINE.com | GHANA

 

CSO’s In SADA Zone to Storm Flagstaff House over Absence of Budgetary Allocation to SADA

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Civil Society Organizations (CSO’s) in the SADA ecological zone have resolved to stage a demonstration in Accra and march to the flagstaff house over the absence of budgetary allocation to SADA in the 2016 budget.

The coalition which comprises of civil society organizations in the Upper East, Upper West, Northern, Brong Ahafo and Volta regions says the failure of government to include some allocation to SADA in the 2016 budget is a smack of disregard and unwillingness of the government to meet the purpose of interventions SADA is expected to bring.

SADA is currently running its projects with support from donor partners including the World Bank. Budgetary allocation to the authority was conspicuously missing in the 2016 budget presented to parliament by the finance minister Seth Tekper.

In an interview with Azongo Albert on A1 Radio’s Day Break Upper East Show on Tuesday, spokesperson for the coalition Bismark Ayorogo Adongo said President John Dramani Mahama since assumption into office has not made any financial commitment to SADA and this is worrying considering his status as a President from the north. He added that budgetary allocation to the authority in 2013 never came into fruition as no monies were actually given to the authority. He described it as an insult when government made an allocation of an amount of Gh₵ 400,000 to SADA in 2015 after an outcry by civil society organizations and some members of parliament which was woefully inadequate as compared to allocations made by previous governments which was not below Gh₵ 25 million. The inadequate amount according to him was not even disbursed to the authority.

“Budgetary allocation to SADA is not a function of choice by any government. It is not whether government wants to allocate resources to SADA or not but government is enjoined by law to make the allocation. We are referring to article 36 of the 1992 constitution and section 18 of the SADA Act 805 which mandates government to make an allocation” he said.

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Ayorogo expressed disappointment at the inability of President Mahama to facilitate and ensure proper support and functioning of the authority since he hails from the north.

He said “Even if President Mahama hates the people of northern Ghana where he comes from, but the people of Ghana through parliament came out with Act 805 which mandates government to make annual budgetary allocations to SADA. So if we have our own uncle or brother there trying to engage in lawlessness or illegality then it’s unfortunate. It is the people of Ghana who are saying allocate those resources to SADA and so you have no right to say that you will not allocate resources to SADA.”

Though he acknowledged that the authority is receiving funding support from donor partners to run its projects and activities, government has the sole responsibility of improving the lives of its people and so leaving SADA to be funded by donor partners is a shed of responsibility and breach of the law.

The planned demonstration which is scheduled for January 2016 will draw huge numbers of people including notable individuals and popular persons including musicians from the SADA ecological zone onto the streets of Accra and will end at the flagstaff house.

By: Azongo Albert | A1RADIOONLINE.com | GHANA

 

Vision Empowerment Youth Association Celebrates 5th Anniversary

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Vision Empowerment Youth Association (VEYA), a youth group in Bolgatanga has organized a cleanup exercise in the Bolgatanga municipality as part of activities to mark the 5th anniversary of the association under the team “Keeping the dream and the peace alive.”

According to them, the theme of the celebration signifies a caution to the youth across the region and beyond to ensure and uphold peace as the country prepares to conduct its 2016 general election.

Chairman of the association Nuhu Anas, stressed that politicians mainly use the youth to cause conflict during and after elections because the youth have allowed them to do so. He however advised the youth not to engage in anything that will dent the image of the country.

According to Mr. Nuhu, Vision Empowerment Youth Association is a non-partisan group which seeks to ensure the welfare of its members and others. He further called on other organizations to emulate the good examples they have exhibited since the association was formed 5 years ago.

He also expressed delight at some of the positive initiatives the association has embarked on since its formation five years ago.

He added that their doors are open to individuals who are more committed as they are to champion the course of the association for membership.

By: Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen | A1RADIOONLINE.com | GHANA

 

Police Visibility on the Road Is Not Intimidation but Protection – DCOP Afeku

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Upper East Regional Police commander DCOP Simon Yao Afeku
Upper East Regional Police commander DCOP Simon Yao Afeku

Upper East Regional Police Commander, DCOP Simon Afeku, has asked residents of the region not to see visibility of Police Personnel on their roads as a form of intimidation but rather a way of ensuring a crime free and accident free yuletide.

According to him, the festive season is when criminals want to cash in hence the need to nip indiscipline issues in the bud by deploying of a chunk of their personnel onto the roads and other volatile areas in the region.

He mentioned that his outfit had already deployed personnel to all parts of the region especially to areas where human activities will increase as a result of social and religious gatherings such as churches, clubs and parties.

He cautioned road users against reckless riding and driving and called on passengers and all individuals to report anybody who rides or drives recklessly in order to prevent unwanted deaths this festive season.

He urged the people of the Upper East region to exercise their civil right of cautioning drivers and also report drivers whose reckless driving should be brought to book but advised that they respect all road regulations.

DCOP Afeku called on everyone in the region to ensure personal security saying “this is the period when armed robbers want make a lot of money so those who handle cash and other valuables should take caution. Don’t let us provide the opportunity to greedy criminals to carry out their criminal trade.”

He warned against people staying out of their houses late into the night saying that at least one individual should be left at home to ensure maximum security for their houses.

He indicated that his outfit will work closely with other security agencies to ensure crime free holidays but called on residents to assist the police to flush out criminals by providing the police with accurate information.

He used the opportunity to wish all residents of the region a merry Christmas and a crime free New Year.

By: Offei-Akoto Ayeh | A1RADIOONLINE.com | GHANA

 

Don’t Take the Laws into Your Own Hands – DCOP Simon Afeku

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Upper East Regional Police commander DCOP Simon Yao Afeku
Upper East Regional Police commander DCOP Simon Yao Afeku

The Upper East Regional Police Commander DCOP Simon Afeku has appealed to residents of the Upper East region to hand over persons caught in crime to the police for an action to be taken instead of meting out instant justice on them.

The Upper East region in recent times has been inundated with violent attacks visited on residents by criminals and snatching of motor bikes especially during late hours of the day. The situation has angered many residents who have resolved to mete out instant justice to persons caught stealing by lynching them.

The latest incident was the killing of a man in his late twenties two weeks ago in the central business district of Bolgatanga when luck run out on him after snatching a motor bike from a resident.

But speaking exclusively to a1radioonline.com, Upper East regional police commander DCOP Simon Afeku said the yuletide season comes with its attendant problems which includes a relative increase in acts of crime. He noted that criminally minded persons will want to cash in during the yuletide and hence the need for residents to be cautious, vigilante and take their personal security seriously.

He however sounded a word of caution to residents to avoid lynching persons caught stealing but rather hand them over to the police for necessary action.

“In supporting us, nobody should take the laws into his hands. We know that this is the time there is some relative increase in criminal activities like stealing, snatching of motor bikes and fraud activities. If you arrest a criminal don’t apply that lynching or mob action in dealing with that criminal. You are just doing your work by assisting to arrest that criminal. Do hand him over to the police for the police to deal with” he said.

DCOP Afeku added that in as much as the police are employing all available legitimate means and resources to protect lives and property during the Christmas season, it is incumbent on residents to ensure personal safety by avoiding the keeping and exposing of large sums of money and valuables.

According to him, avoiding the use of obscure routes especially during late hours and being weary of close associates such as drivers and house maids is significant for ensuring personal safety and security.

He advised that “don’t let us provide the opportunity to greedy criminals to be able to carry out their trade. Let’s ensure a high level of personal security”

By: Azongo Albert | A1RADIOONLINE.com | GHANA

 

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