The Managing Editor of the Insight Newspaper, Kwesi Pratt Jnr, has suggested that some African leaders might require psychiatric attention due to their overreliance on foreign aid for national growth.
Mr. Pratt expressed his concern during a fundraising event in Bolgatanga, where he also highlighted Ghana’s surprising ranking as the fourth-largest importer of tomato paste from Germany.
The Managing Editor, in a paradoxical argument, said that while Germany, a country known for its snow-covered landscapes, manages to leverage its agricultural sector effectively, Ghana, endowed with fertile land, falls short in harnessing its agricultural potential.
He emphasized the need for African leaders to rethink their strategies, focusing on sustainable development through the promotion of homegrown industries.
At the event, Mr. Pratt underscored the urgency of investing in sectors that enhance national self-sufficiency.
He questioned the wisdom of Ghana, a nation with abundant arable land, relying on imports for a staple commodity like tomato paste, especially from a country with an entirely different climate.
Pratt’s concern resonates with broader discussions on Africa’s economic independence and the need for leaders to prioritize domestic production over foreign dependence. His assertion that some leaders may need psychiatric attention serves as a stark critique of governance practices that perpetuate economic dependency, hindering the continent’s ability to harness its full potential.
The Managing Editor, therefore, calls for self-reliance that extends beyond the agricultural sector to a holistic approach to national development, including education infrastructure.
The event was organized to address the longstanding infrastructural challenges faced by the Saint Paul Basic School, built by missionaries in the 19th century. Despite reaching its 60th anniversary, the school remains in a state of disrepair, prompting the local community to organize a fundraising event to garner support for much-needed improvements.
The Member of Parliament for Nabdam Constituency in the Upper East Region on the ticket of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Dr. Kurt Mark Nawaane, has made a cash donation of GHC 5000 to the Dialysis Center at the Upper East Regional Hospital.
The substantial contribution, the legislator said, aims to provide vital support to the centre, enhancing its capacity to deliver essential services to the people when fully operational.
Speaking to the media during the donation, Dr. Nawaane underscored the importance of collective efforts in fostering the growth of healthcare facilities.
He commended the diligent work of the managers and administrators of the Upper East Regional Hospital, encouraging them to continue their commitment to the development of the facility.
“I must say it is our efforts, and I’m delighted to contribute to the improvement of healthcare services in our region. The Dialysis Center, if fully functional, will play a crucial role in addressing the medical needs of our region, and it is our responsibility to ensure its success.”
Dr. Nawaane revealed that a consensus has been reached among members of parliament in the region.
“Each member will pledge a donation of GHC 5000 and above towards the advancement of healthcare facilities.”
Dr. Saawi Aiden, the Medical Director at the Upper East Regional Hospital, expressed gratitude for Dr. Nawaane’s generous donation.
He assured the MP and the public that the funds would be utilised judiciously to address the pressing needs of the Dialysis Center, ultimately improving the quality of healthcare services offered to the community.
Retired educationist, Robert Ajene has called on people in the Upper East Region to prioritize conversations that enhance the educational landscape. The appeal was raised amidst a conversation addressing the detrimental impacts of insufficient educational infrastructure within the Bolgatanga Municipality.
This discussion was prompted by a news feature presented by Moses Abaa Apiah, a reporter at A1 Radio, shedding light on the dire condition of educational infrastructure in the Municipality.
Mr. Ajene expressed concern over the prevalence of political discourse that, in his view, hinders the development of the education sector in the region. He emphasized the need for a collective effort to address the challenges faced by schools and educational institutions.
“Let’s frown down on politics relating to the development of schools or in education. It’s a hardcore decision that will help us develop. Otherwise, we will take two steps ahead and one step behind and we remain where we are,” Mr. Ajene remarked during the conversation.
The retired educationist directed a specific call to Parliamentarians in the BONABOTO enclave, urging them to take a proactive stance in supporting the education sector. He voiced his dissatisfaction with the current level of commitment from elected officials in the region.
“Our parliamentarians in the north, and I will beat it down to the parliamentarians in the BONABOTO area. They are not doing enough for the development of education in their areas. They can challenge me to that. And I think we are getting frustrated, not very satisfied”.
Mr. Ajene’s comments highlight a growing frustration within the community regarding the perceived neglect of educational development by political representatives. The call to action is a plea for a more concerted effort to overcome the challenges faced by schools, particularly in the Bolgatanga Municipality.
The Regional Chairman for BONABOTO in the Upper East Region, Dr. Esmond Agurgo Balfour, has indicated the need for a transformative shift in the public mindset regarding politics. Dr. Balfour addressed the issue during a recent discussion on A1 Radio, where he and other guests explored the profound impact of inadequate infrastructure on education in Bolgatanga Municipal.
The conversation was prompted by a detailed news feature by Moses Abaa Apiah an A1 Radio reporter, shedding light on the challenges faced by the local education system due to subpar infrastructure. Dr. Balfour’s remarks during the discussion went beyond the immediate concerns of education, touching upon the broader implications of a highly politicized society.
Dr. Balfour called for a change in mindset, stressing the danger of excessive politicization, noting that it can cloud individuals’ judgment, diverting attention from the genuine issues at hand.
“We must have a change in mindset as a people. When you become too politicized, you fail to see the reality of the sense being delivered and get worried about the talking against my party and about that party.”
Dr. Balfour urged citizens to rise above partisan divisions and focus on the actual challenges facing their communities. “If we don’t change our mindset to appreciate reality and work together to fix it, in fact, if we have to deal with our politicians, let’s deal with them,” he emphasized. “They are supposed to lead us to make progress. They shouldn’t be our bane of problems. Let’s hold them accountable.”
The Regional Chairman’s perspective encourages a reevaluation of the role of politics in society, emphasizing the need for constructive engagement rather than divisive partisanship.
The Electoral Commission of Ghana has underscored that the primary identification mechanism for voters for the upcoming District Level Elections will be the robust biometric system. The Upper East Regional Director of the EC, William Obeng Adarkwah says, the commission has built a robust biometric system in replace of the traditional way of identification using the voters’ ID.
“We are doing biometric registration, so, the important thing is to have your name and important things on the register. Apart from that, at this level, nobody is going to insist on your Ghana card, passport, or whatever. Even if your voter card is missing, once the system can identify you, you are good to go, you will be permitted to vote. When it comes to voting, we don’t tie electorates so much to identification. The main identification is going to be the biometric system”
Mr. Adarkwah who was speaking on A1 radio during a debate for assemblymen aspirants from the Pologo/Boosiya electoral in the Bolgatanga East District said the identification processes will include facial and fingerprint.
The debate which is organised by the International Republican Institute (IRI) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) will also engage aspirants from Kalbeo, Tindonsobligo, and Kotokoli-Zongo electoral areas in the Bolgatanga Municipality.
The debate seeks to encourage healthy issues-based debates among candidates vying for district-level elections, promote engagement between district-level candidates with marginalised groups on service delivery issues, and stimulate the interest of marginalised group members to participate in the District Level Election processes.
The EC has set aside December 19th for the election. The Upper East regional EC Director, William Obeng Adarkwah announced the roadmap to the election saying the Commission is ready to conduct the election.
“The Electoral Commission, as you may be aware, is well prepared to conduct this election. Just last week, we were through with nominations. In terms of materials, the Commission is almost through with the provision of everything reaching the region”, he added.
Other activities related to the election included the recruitment of temporary staff and the mounting of platforms for the aspirants between December 1 and 14.
Fair representation of gender by Ghanaian media remains a challenge. Cursory glances at national and regional media platforms indicate that experts quoted for varied discussions are largely male.
To address this, the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), together with the French media development agency Canal France International (CFI), has organised a 5-day workshop for selected journalists across Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire under the Equal Voice project.
The project seeks to ensure a careful selection of sources and stories to achieve a balanced presence of women and men. This also involves ensuring a fair portrayal of women and men through the elimination of stereotypes and the promotion of multi-dimensional representation.
Dr. Aurelia Ayisi, Gender Expert and Lecturer at the Department of Communication Studies, University of Ghana, challenged participants to consider the BBC’s 50:50 Project and how it is shifting representation in British media. She urged them to adopt and adapt the methodology to meet the specific needs of the media houses.
Dr. Ayisi explained that to properly address the situation, media practitioners must first compile data.
“The one thing that cuts across is the importance of data. You would realize that even the project started with some form of data. Data is one of the easiest ways to convince anyone,” she said.
To help deal with the resistance, media practitioners are expected to try to understand the reason for the resistance that exists.
Another way of dealing with the situation, according to Dr. Ayisi, is for journalists to create a resource pool.
“Journalists could benefit from an expert resource directory. Different media houses have different experts or sources that they rely on. These sources and experts can be shared.”
Another trainer at the 5-day training on Gender Sensitive Reporting, Dr. Charity Binka, reminded media practitioners of their roles as agents of change. Dr. Binka is the Executive Director of Women, Media, and Change (WOMEC).
Dr. Binka also reminded journalists of the need to consistently disaggregate data about socio-economic development across the country by gender. This, she said, helps create a picture of the situation and what specific things need to be done to address it.
The Equal Voices project, according to Abigail Larbi, Senior Project Manager at MFWA, aims to address gender inequalities by promoting women at all decision-making levels in Ivorian and Ghanaian societies through a gender-sensitive media approach. The project also focuses on enhancing the capacities of male and female media professionals to develop managerial and editorial policies that ensure a more equitable representation of women as experts and agents of change.
Eight media organizations, four in each country, are benefiting from the project. Media managers from these organizations will engage in peer-to-peer learning, coaching, and mentorship sessions, where they will receive training to become more gender-aware and be supported in identifying challenges and opportunities for gender equality within their media organizations.
Source: A1Radioonline.Com|101.1MHZ|Mark Kwasi Ahumah Smith & Humul Khrusum Tahiru|Accra
A recent study conducted by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has shown an escalating prevalence of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) among women aged 15 to 49 in the Upper East Region.
The research indicated a disconcerting surge, with close to 16 percent of girls and women in various districts, especially those in the Pusiga and Kassena Nankana West Districts, willingly undergoing the practice to circumvent social stigma.
Female Genital Mutilation involves the non-medical alteration or injury to female genitalia, a deeply entrenched cultural practice that poses severe health risks and violates the rights of women.
The UNFPA’s findings shed light on the urgency of addressing this concerning issue, particularly in the Upper East, North-East, and Upper West Regions.
The revelation came to the forefront during the launch of the Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) Baseline Report in Bolgatanga.
Mr. Atubiga Baba, the project Coordinating consultant, emphasized the gravity of the situation, urging immediate attention in the various districts.
He said the willingness of a significant portion of girls and women to undergo FGM reflects the enduring social pressures and norms that perpetuate this harmful practice.
Mr. Baba pointed out that combating FGM requires a multifaceted approach, including education, awareness campaigns, and community engagement.
The report underscores the necessity for targeted interventions to break the cycle of social acceptance surrounding FGM and protect the rights and well-being of women in various districts.
Dr. Wilfred Ochan, a representative of the UNFPA, indicated research serves as a wake-up call for local authorities, NGOs, and communities to collaborate in eradicating FGM.
She added that efforts should be directed towards fostering a supportive environment that empowers women and girls, offering alternatives to traditional practices that compromise their health and rights.
The Upper East Regional Chairman of the Conference of Heads of Assisted Secondary Schools (CHASS), Richard Akumbase, has indicated that since the beginning of the year, several educational institutions have found themselves grappling with a severe shortage of essential food supplies, including groundnut, Gari, rice, and bread flour.
Mr. Akumbase expressed deep concern over the situation, emphasizing the vital role these provisions play in sustaining the daily nutritional needs of students and staff.
Speaking on A1 Radio’s Daybreak Upper East Show, Mr. Akumbase explained that the scarcity of these staples not only jeopardizes the well-being of the school community but also hampers the effective functioning of educational institutions.
According to him, some local food suppliers were reluctant to fulfill their commitments to providing these crucial food items.
“Some suppliers, because they are also looking at how to make a profit, are running away from food items that are in scarcity like Gari, which most of the schools do not have, yet they are loading the schools with beans. The reason is simple; this is the season of beans. It is bad.”
The absence of groundnut, Gari, and bread flour has left school authorities scrambling to find alternative sources, disrupting the regular flow of meals within schools.
“Of course, this, in turn, will raise concerns about the nutritional adequacy of meals served to students, potentially impacting their health and academic performance.”
Mr. Akumbase has called for urgent intervention from relevant authorities to address the issue promptly.
He emphasized the need for a collaborative effort between education officials and local suppliers to identify and rectify the challenges hindering the delivery of essential food items to schools.
In a distressing revelation, some health facilities within the Bolgatanga Municipality of the Upper East Region are facing a critical water shortage, hindering the delivery of proper healthcare services.
Health workers at these facilities are reportedly requesting women in labour or their relatives to buy sachet water for deliveries due to the absence of a reliable water storage system. One of these facilities include the Bolgatanga Health Centre, otherwise known as the Aningazanga Health Center.
Located in the heart of the Upper East Regional capital – Bolgatanga, the facility was established over decades, purposely as a skin disease control centre. But years gone by, the Ghana Health Service upgraded it to provide services such as family planning, ANC services, and general consultation among others.
The Bolgatanga Health Center records over 100 clients at both the OPD and the maternity in a day. The facility depends on water supply from the Ghana Water Company Limited. However, due to the lack of a water storage system, when the taps stop flowing, proper health delivery is hampered.
“As health workers, we use water a lot to deliver health services to our clients. We need to always wash our hands and our instruments properly to control infection. So, if we don’t have a water storage system, it affects us a lot. So, the absence of a water storage system affects our delivery. We used to have a tank but it is broken so help with a water storage system will relieve us of that issue”, a Physician Assistant, Akansise Hawa who doubles as the in charge of the Bolgatanga Health Center spoke exclusively to A1 Radio.
Madam Akansise explained that patients seeking maternity services are particularly affected, as health workers find themselves compelled to ask expectant mothers to provide sachet water for childbirth.
“The service gets halted provided there are no emergencies when there is a need for water, just because we don’t have a storage system to store water anytime the taps are running. Sometimes we ask the clients to buy bags of sachet water. And that is just to manage. Just look at the clients, how much do they have? Sometimes we are forced to buy pure water, sometimes we go to the neighbourhood and beg for water”, she lamented.
Paulina Abane, a resident of Bolgatanga who gave birth at the Bolgatanga Health Center, shared her experience.
“When I arrived at the facility, they told me to buy sachet water for the delivery. It was surprising and inconvenient, but I had no choice. The nurses explained that they face severe water shortages, and patients are required to bring their own water for medical procedures.”
A similar situation can be said about the Coronation Health Center, known by many people as the Plaza Health Center. The scarcity of water is impacting various aspects of healthcare delivery, from routine check-ups to critical medical interventions.
Anthoinite Ayamdoo, the acting in charge of the facility said the absence of regular water supply could lead to infection of patients and the health workers.
“We are dealing with blood. So imagine after conducting a delivery, you will have splashes of blood on the floor, your hands or legs and you don’t have enough water to clean yourself, the client, and the floor to prevent infections. We have instruments that we work with and after delivery, we need to soak them in water with bleach for some time and scrub them before we sterilise them. So when the taps are not flowing, it is always a difficult situation”
Madam Ayamdoo mentioned that the absence of a consistent water supply coupled with the lack of a water storage system has become a daily struggle, forcing healthcare providers to make difficult decisions to ensure basic hygiene standards are maintained.
“There are times the taps are not flowing for more than two days. So when it is like that, it is always difficult. You will see a client coming for labour and you have to let this client go buy bags of sachet water, it is a serious issue”, she stated.
Madam Ayamdoo appealed to corporate organisations, business owners, and the public to come to the aid of the health workers and the clients “with a water storage facility so that when the taps are not flowing, we can rely on that”
Proper hygiene is fundamental to preventing infections and ensuring the well-being of both patients and healthcare providers. Local authorities are being called upon to prioritise the provision of basic infrastructure, including water storage systems, to ensure that health facilities can deliver essential services without relying on patients.
It behoves the government and the public to collaborate to address this pressing issue and safeguard the quality of healthcare in the Bolgatanga Municipality towards assisting Ghana to attain goal 3 of the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.
In commemorating the International Children’s Day on November 20, Participatory Development Associates (PDA), in partnership with Afrikids Ghana, the Department of Children, and A1 Radio, are set to host the 7th Annual Knowledge Sharing Workshop on Child Protection. The event, scheduled for Thursday, November 30, 2023, at the Juayibin Guest House Conference Hall in Walewale, will shed light on the critical issue of child marriage in Northern Ghana.
Themed “Tackling Child Marriage in Northern Ghana: A Shift from Rhetorics to Evidence-Based Advocacy,” the workshop aims to delve into the complex factors surrounding child marriage, focusing on the drivers of this phenomenon and examining the socio-cultural practices and beliefs that contribute to its persistence in the region.
The workshop is expected to bring together a diverse array of stakeholders, including traditional leaders, policy makers, government officials, development partners, pupils, and parents. The gathering will provide a platform for open and constructive discussions on the challenges posed by child marriage and will explore evidence-based approaches to advocacy for its eradication.
As a prelude to the discussions, a documentary highlighting the severity of the child marriage situation in the region will be premiered. The documentary aims to create awareness and set the stage for the insightful conversations that will follow during the workshop.
