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Namoo Sikabiisi residents seek urgent rehabilitation of deteriorating school buildings

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Residents of Namoo Sikabiisi in the Bongo District have appealed to the Member of Parliament for Bongo, Lawyer Charles Bawa-Dua, and the Bongo District Assembly to urgently rehabilitate the community’s deteriorating primary and Junior High School buildings.

The residents say cracks have developed in parts of the primary school building, while wooden supports holding the roof of the JHS have deteriorated, raising concerns about the safety of pupils and teachers.

The concerns were raised during a visit by the MP to the community, where residents also complained about inadequate furniture and other challenges affecting teaching and learning.

A community member and PTA Committee member, Isaac Nsoh Atanga, said both schools have deteriorated over the years despite several appeals to the relevant authorities.

According to him, several cracks are visible on the walls of the primary school, with residents concerned that parts of the structure could eventually collapse if rehabilitation works are not undertaken.

He said the condition of the JHS roof is equally worrying, explaining that some of the wooden supports have deteriorated and could give way or leave the roofing sheets vulnerable to strong winds.

Mr Atanga said the community has written several letters to the Bongo District Assembly and District Education Directorate seeking intervention, but little progress has been made.

He said inadequate furniture is another challenge confronting the schools, affecting both pupils and teachers.

According to him, an NGO previously supported the community with some furniture, but the number provided was insufficient to meet the schools’ needs.

Residents are therefore appealing to the MP and the Bongo District Assembly to support the rehabilitation of the school buildings and provide additional furniture and other teaching and learning resources.

Responding to the concerns, Lawyer Bawa-Dua said he had taken note of the challenges and would explore ways of mobilising support to address them.

He acknowledged the importance of education to the development of the community and assured residents that he would engage relevant stakeholders on the challenges affecting the schools.

A1 Radio | 101.1 MHz | Moses Anaba Azubire | Bongo

Nongre Tiitaaba Association rewards pupils in four Gowrie schools with exercise books

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The Nongre Tiitaaba Association in Gowrie Kasingo has presented exercise books to pupils in four basic schools in the Gowrie area in recognition of their academic performance.

The educational outreach, undertaken in collaboration with Assembly Member James Akuribila Nyaaba on Thursday, September 17, 2026, reached Gowrie Primary School, Kunkua Primary School, Tingre Primary School and Dabotin KG and Primary School.

According to the association, the exercise books were presented to pupils who performed well in their examinations as part of efforts to encourage them to take their education seriously.

The initiative also provided an opportunity for the association to introduce its activities to the beneficiary communities and engage school authorities, teachers and other community stakeholders.

The group said it hopes to build relationships with the schools and communities that could support future interventions in education and other areas of development.

Headteacher of Gowrie Primary School, Samuel Nsobila, expressed appreciation to the association for supporting the pupils.

He assured the group that the beneficiaries would make good use of the exercise books and appealed for further support to help the school acquire additional teaching and learning materials.

Salia Akolko, described as the father of the Nongre Tiitaaba Association, said the group was established to support its members while contributing to the development of communities in need.

He said supporting young people, particularly students, to pursue their educational goals is also one of the association’s priorities.

Assembly Member James Akuribila Nyaaba commended the association for the initiative and encouraged other community-based organisations to contribute to development in their communities.

The Nongre Tiitaaba Association said it intends to continue supporting education and other community development initiatives in the Gowrie area.

A1 Radio | 101.1 MHz | Moses Anaba Azubire | Bongo

Builsa South MP releases GH¢370,000 to fix deteriorated Builsa South roads

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The Member of Parliament for Builsa South, Dr Clement Abas Apaak, has authorised the release of GH¢370,000 from his share of the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF) to support the rehabilitation and maintenance of deteriorated road sections across the constituency.

The intervention covers seven road projects and is intended to address immediate transportation challenges while efforts continue to secure more comprehensive government-funded road projects for the constituency. (Ghana News Agency)

The Kanjarga–Fumbisi Road has received the largest allocation of GH¢100,000, while GH¢50,000 each has been allocated to the Doninga–Kanjarga, Doninga–Siniensi and Wiesi–Fumbisi roads.

Another GH¢40,000 has been allocated to the Uwasi–Fumbisi Road, with GH¢30,000 earmarked for the Nyambisa Road and Bridge.

An earlier GH¢50,000 released for emergency works on sections of the Uwasi–Fumbisi and Zamsa–Fumbisi roads brings the total intervention to GH¢370,000. (Ghana News Agency)

According to the MP’s office, the intervention follows concerns raised by residents, farmers, traders and transport operators over the deteriorating condition of roads in the constituency.

Dr Apaak said his decision was also informed by his assessment of the difficulties residents face using the affected roads.

“Good roads are essential for development. They connect our people to opportunities, markets, schools, and healthcare facilities,” he said.

Dr Apaak acknowledged that major road projects fall under the responsibility of central government agencies but said available resources could be used to address immediate challenges while larger interventions are pursued.

He said he is engaging the Ministry of Roads and Highways, Ghana Highway Authority, Department of Feeder Roads and other relevant stakeholders to secure more comprehensive road rehabilitation projects for Builsa South. (Ghana News Agency)

The MP is also pushing for faster progress on the Builsa South section of the Chuchuliga–Sandema–Wiaga–Fumbisi–Wiesi road. Work had resumed on sections of the wider road project earlier this year after years of delays. (Ghana News Agency)

According to his office, the Doninga–Sandema Road is also expected to receive attention, with a contractor expected to move to site soon.

Dr Apaak is further engaging the Roads and Highways Ministry over the rehabilitation of feeder roads across the constituency.

The immediate interventions are expected to improve movement along the affected routes, particularly for residents, farmers and traders who depend on them to access communities, farms and markets.

A1 Radio | 101.1 MHz | Moses Apiah | Bolgatanga

David Asanga Awine declares bid to return as Bongo NDC Communications Officer

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David Asanga Awine has declared his intention to contest the Communications Officer position of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Bongo Constituency, a position he says he previously held from 2018 to 2022.

Mr Awine said his decision to seek the position again follows consultations with party stakeholders and more than two decades of involvement in the NDC.

According to his declaration, he began his political activities as a party activist at the Asogta Market Square in the Tarongo/Atiabisii Electoral Area in 2006 and has since served the party in various capacities.

His previous roles include serving as a party agent during the 2008 elections, an executive member from 2008 to 2012, Constituency Communications Officer from 2018 to 2022 and a member of the party’s Research Committee in 2024.

Mr Awine said his years of service have given him an understanding of the party’s structures, grassroots organisation and the demands of leadership.

“This journey has given me more than experience. It has given me a deep understanding of our party structures, a genuine appreciation of grassroots politics, and a clear understanding of what effective party organisation requires,” he said.

He said his decision to contest was reached after consultations with party stakeholders and careful consideration of how he could contribute to strengthening the NDC in the constituency.

Mr Awine is seeking the support of party executives, elders, grassroots members, government appointees, former appointees and other stakeholders ahead of the opening of nominations.

“The work ahead requires unity, experience, organisation and renewed energy,” he said.

He pledged to strengthen the party’s structures, consolidate its gains and contribute to the growth of the NDC if given the mandate.

A1 Radio | 101.1 MHz | Moses Anaba Azubire | Bongo

165 Binduri BECE candidates remain without SHS placement over reported missing Maths scripts

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At least 165 candidates from six Junior High Schools in the Binduri District remain without Senior High School placement following the reported disappearance of their 2026 BECE Mathematics objective answer sheets.

The affected candidates are from Benguri JHS, Christian Academy, Yaligun JHS, Amazing Grace JHS, Good Friends International JHS and Gumyoko JHS. Earlier reports identified the same six schools and 165 candidates as affected by the unresolved Mathematics results.

Parents say attempts to check the placement status of their children continue to return a “pending” notification while other candidates have received placements and begun reporting to their respective Senior High Schools.

The affected families have followed up with education authorities at the district and regional levels but say they have not received a definite timeline for when the outstanding results and placements will be resolved.

The problem has been linked to the Mathematics objective answer sheets of the 165 candidates, which parents say they were informed could not be traced after they followed up with authorities in Bolgatanga.

The Binduri Constituency Youth Wing of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has consequently called on the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), Ghana Education Service (GES) and Ministry of Education to urgently resolve the matter.

Binduri NPP Youth Organiser Awini Abdulai Akologo said the affected candidates should not be disadvantaged by a situation beyond their control.

“Every effort must be made to locate the missing papers or provide a fair and timely remedy for the affected students,” the youth wing said.

Parents are particularly concerned that the candidates completed all their examination papers but have been unable to progress to Senior High School alongside their peers because their Mathematics results remain unresolved.

Earlier reports quoted parents as saying they were informed that the Mathematics objective answer sheets could not be located and would have to be found and marked before the candidates’ results could be completed.

Binduri District Director of Education Thomas Awuni said he has written to the officer responsible for the Computerised School Selection and Placement System (CSSPS) over the matter.

However, the affected families are yet to receive a definite date for when the candidates’ placement status will be updated.

For the parents, the concern is now not only about the reported missing scripts but also the time their children are losing as other first-year students begin Senior High School.

They are calling on WAEC, GES and the Ministry of Education to explain how the outstanding Mathematics results will be resolved and when the 165 candidates can expect to receive their SHS placements.

A1 Radio | 101.1 MHz | Moses Apiah | Bolgatanga

Bawku Central NPP Youth Wing calls on Mahama Ayariga to support BECE graduates

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The Bawku Central New Patriotic Party (NPP) Youth Wing has appealed to the Member of Parliament for Bawku Central and Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Mahama Ayariga, to support graduates of the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) in the constituency.

The youth wing is calling on the MP to provide essential items including chop boxes, mattresses, buckets, provisions and other basic necessities to help graduates prepare for their transition to Senior High School.

In a statement signed by its Youth Organiser, Awudu Zanga-Naa Suraju, and Deputy Youth Organiser, Ibrahim Fuseini, the group said although the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) policy had removed tuition and related school fees as a major financial burden on families, parents were still required to provide basic items for their wards.

The group commended the previous NPP administration for introducing the Free SHS policy, which it said had expanded access to secondary education for families across Ghana, including those in Bawku Central.

However, it argued that the economic difficulties resulting from the prolonged conflict in Bawku had made it difficult for some families to meet the additional costs associated with sending their children to Senior High School.

According to the youth wing, businesses and household incomes in the constituency have been adversely affected by the conflict, leaving some parents struggling to afford basic school supplies.

It said BECE graduates should not be made to bear the consequences of circumstances beyond their control.

The youth wing therefore proposed the establishment or support of a Bawku Central BECE Graduates Support Initiative to provide essential items to graduates, particularly those from vulnerable and economically disadvantaged households.

The group said such support would provide immediate relief to families while demonstrating that young people in the constituency continued to have the attention and support of their leaders.

It further argued that investment in education was important to the long-term rebuilding of Bawku, describing support for young people as an investment in the constituency’s future development and prosperity.

The NPP youth wing said its appeal was not intended as partisan confrontation but was motivated by concerns about the economic circumstances confronting families in the constituency.

It also called on individuals, businesses, traditional leaders, civil society organisations and other stakeholders from Bawku and beyond to complement efforts to support students preparing to enter senior high school.

“Our children deserve every opportunity to succeed. Let us not allow the economic consequences of conflict to become a barrier to their education,” the statement said.

The group urged Mr. Ayariga to consider the request and provide support to BECE graduates, particularly those from vulnerable households.

A1Radio |101.1Mhz | Joshua Asaah

I’ll use Regional Secretary position to strengthen other NDC structures – Jonathan Salifu

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Upper East Regional Communication Officer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Jonathan Abdallah Salifu, says the Regional Secretary must go beyond administrative duties and actively support other structures of the party.

Mr Salifu, who has declared his intention to contest the Regional Secretary position when nominations open, said he would work closely with the regional chairman, communication wing and other executives to strengthen the party if given the mandate. (A1 Radio Online)

“I would not be the kind of Secretary that will say that my work is at the office alone but someone that will push for the better growth of the party and regional as a whole,” he said.

Speaking on A1 Radio while appealing to delegates to support his candidature, Mr Salifu said the Regional Secretary must work through consultation and collaboration with the various structures of the party, recognising the different roles they play.

“We all have our unique ways and together we can develop the party and the society we all expect to bring positive impact,” he said.

Mr Salifu, who currently leads the NDC’s regional communication wing, said his experience in that role has given him an appreciation of the demands placed on party communicators.

He described the communication wing as “the backbone of the party” and argued that its work extends beyond conventional working hours.

“We work 24/7. You don’t know when the last person is sleeping, you don’t know when the first person is waking up. So immediately they are up, what they do is like I do. Many of my people do the same. They go to their phone, they run through all the social media pages and then they begin to communicate,” he said.

Mr Salifu said moving from Regional Communication Officer to Regional Secretary would put him in a position to provide greater support to the communication wing while working with other structures of the party.

“I tell my people in the communication department that you are going to get an additional leverage because your man is going to be clothed with an additional power to help you grow,” he said.

He, however, stressed that strengthening the party would require collaboration among the regional executives and other structures rather than depending on a single office holder.

“Whoever succeeds, I mean it’s something that we have to work together,” he added.

A1 Radio | 101.1 MHz | Moses Apiah | Bolgatanga

Jonathan Salifu pledges constituency offices in NDC Regional Secretary bid

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Upper East Regional Communication Officer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Jonathan Abdallah Salifu, says establishing and properly equipping constituency party offices across the region will be one of his priorities if elected Regional Secretary.

Mr Salifu, who has declared his intention to contest the position when nominations open, said several constituencies lack adequate office infrastructure for meetings, administration and mobilisation. His bid for Regional Secretary follows more than two decades of service within the party at the branch, constituency and regional levels.

“One of the radical things I will do when delegates give me the mandate as Secretary is to ensure we have constituency offices,” he said on A1 Radio.

Mr Salifu pointed to the New Patriotic Party’s constituency office in Bongo as an example of the kind of infrastructure he believes the NDC should be able to establish across the Upper East Region.

“On your way to Bongo, the NPP, led by Peter Ayinbisa, was able to build a party office for the Bongo constituency. And if the NPP can have a constituency like that in Bongo, what prevents us, the NDC, from having similar ones across all the constituencies in the region?” he asked.

Mr Salifu said some NDC constituencies have made progress in securing office infrastructure, citing the Chiana-Paga Constituency, where he said an office had been constructed with administrative, storage and meeting spaces.

“We have not gotten to a stage where we can build. There are only a few places that I’ve been able to build. Like, go to Chiana-Paga, I remember one of the people there built an office for them, and that office was well designed. It has an administration area for the office, it has a storeroom, and it has a meeting area, very big,” he said.

He recalled that during a visit to the constituency in 2022, he identified inadequate furniture as a challenge and subsequently supported the office with plastic chairs.

Mr Salifu said his plan would go beyond securing buildings to ensuring constituency offices have the furniture and equipment required for the party’s day-to-day activities.

“We need to equip our constituency offices, but all that we do before we move out to the fields are meetings,” he said.

He proposed providing constituency offices with computers, printers, photocopiers and adequate furniture to support administration, meetings and grassroots organisation.

“Membership drive should be key, but meetings are important. So we need to equip the offices, furnishing them, getting decent places, equipping them with electronic gadgets, like the computers at least, small printers and copiers and the rest. And that is going to be my hallmark, I mean, that is an area I will strongly look at,” he said.

Mr Salifu said strengthening constituency offices would complement efforts to increase party membership and provide executives and members with suitable spaces to organise.

“The people still need to be comfortable,” he added.

A1 Radio | 101.1 MHz | Moses Apiah | Bolgatanga

Bongo MP pledges materials, DRIP equipment to complete Azosidaana community bridge

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The Member of Parliament for Bongo, Charles Bawa-Dua, has pledged cement, iron rods and support from District Road Improvement Programme (DRIP) equipment to help residents of Azosidaana complete a community-initiated bridge linking the area to Soe and surrounding farmlands.

Residents began constructing the bridge after years of difficulty crossing the stream, which affects access to farms, markets and other services, particularly when water levels rise.

Mr Bawa-Dua made the commitment after visiting the construction site following reports by A1 Radio and Bolga FM and subsequent appeals from members of the bridge committee and the Chief of Azosidaana.

He commended the community for mobilising resources and beginning construction rather than waiting entirely for government support.

The MP said although residents had made significant progress, additional materials and work would be required to complete the bridge.

He pledged to provide additional cement and iron rods and said arrangements would be made for DRIP equipment to support work on the project.

Mr Bawa-Dua said he had also asked the contractor working on the bridge to prepare an estimate of the outstanding work to determine the resources required to complete it.

He commended the youth, traditional leaders and other residents for mobilising themselves to address a problem that has affected movement and economic activities in the area for years.

Assembly Member for the Awukabisi Electoral Area, Apangaboya Ateo Aboga, expressed appreciation to the MP and his team for responding to the community’s concerns and visiting the project site.

He said completing the bridge would improve access for farmers who use the route to reach their farms and transport produce to markets.

Mr Aboga said the bridge would also improve residents’ access to education and healthcare, particularly during periods when crossing the stream becomes difficult.

Chief of Azosidaana, Naba Paul Agana Nyaaba, also welcomed the MP’s commitment and expressed hope that the additional support would help bring the project to completion.

The chief disclosed that the contractor working on the project had not been paid.

Residents of Azosidaana began the project with support from businessman and native of the community Simon Abongo Akedita and other community members after years of appeals for a permanent crossing.

A1 Radio | 101.1 MHz | Moses Anaba Azubire | Bongo

GWYESCO targets 22,000 direct jobs, support for 10,000 women and youth-led businesses – SIF CEO

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The Ghana Women and Youth Employment and Social Cohesion (GWYESCO) Programme is targeting the creation of 22,000 direct jobs and support for 10,000 women and youth-led businesses under a US$71 million African Development Bank-backed intervention.

Chief Executive Officer of the Social Investment Fund (SIF), Lawyer Abass-Adams Nurudeen, said the four-year programme will also create about 6,000 indirect jobs and support 8,000 women and youth-led Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to access credit.

“In four years, the project is supposed to use the financial package granted by the African Development Bank, which is a $71 million facility, to create employment, or to create 22,000 direct jobs, 6,000 indirect jobs. Train 10,000 youth and women-led micro, small, and medium-scale enterprises. Actually help 8,000 of them get access to credit, and then build the capacity of seven institutions,” he said.

Official African Development Bank documents put the financing at US$71.55 million and the employment targets at 22,000 direct and 6,189 indirect jobs. The programme also includes business and entrepreneurship development training for women and youth-owned MSMEs and improved access to finance. (African Development Bank)

Mr Nurudeen was speaking at a stakeholder engagement in Bolgatanga on the GWYESCO Programme, which is being implemented by the Social Investment Fund, with the Ministry of Finance as the executing agency. (African Development Bank)

He said the intervention is intended to address youth unemployment and economic vulnerability, particularly in northern Ghana.

“This program is particularly important given the rising phenomenon of youth unemployment. Ghana has a very young or youthful demographic characteristics. More than 70% of our population is below the age of 50 years. And if you come to the northern part of Ghana, the statistics become even more troubling,” he said.

Mr Nurudeen said unemployment and the number of young people who are not in employment, education or training also present broader social challenges, including vulnerability to radicalisation and violent extremism.

“So the John Mahama-led administration thought it wise to roll out this project that has as its objective to empower women and youth and to also mitigate the drivers of vulnerability,” he stated.

GWYESCO focuses on three main areas: market-driven skills development and employment, access to financial and non-financial services for women and youth-owned MSMEs, and strengthening institutional capacity and systems. (African Development Bank)

Mr Nurudeen said the market-driven training component is intended to equip young people and women with skills that respond to opportunities in the labour market and enable beneficiaries to either secure employment or become self-employed.

The programme is also heavily focused on women and young people, as well as persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups.

“When we say youth and women-centered program, we mean it’s for the youth and the women. So the youth categorization ranges from 18 to 35, and the women 18 and above… This program is heavily skewed towards our mothers, our sisters, and our wives,” he said.

Beyond training, Mr Nurudeen said GWYESCO is designed to provide beneficiaries with additional support, including equipment, access to finance and markets, to improve their chances of building sustainable businesses.

“So this program is a compulsive program or an end-to-end program. Often you have programs coming to train people, and after training, they leave them on their own devices. But this program is a bit different, in that after training, some people will be equipped with the tools they need to go out there and survive on their own,” he added.

SIF will work with several institutions in implementing the programme, including the Youth Employment Agency, National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme, GRATIS Foundation and Northern Development Authority. The programme will also work with financial institutions to expand access to credit for beneficiary businesses.

The AfDB says GWYESCO will run through 2029 and will support employment, skills development, entrepreneurship, access to finance and social cohesion, with particular attention to vulnerable communities and northern Ghana.

A1 Radio | 101.1 MHz | David Azure | Bolgatanga

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