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Isaac Adongo inspects Bolga Sherigu SHS new site ahead of construction

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The Member of Parliament for the Bolgatanga Central Constituency, Isaac Adongo, has inspected the new site earmarked for the construction of the Bolga Sherigu Community Day Senior High School (SHS) in the Bolgatanga Municipality of the Upper East Region.

According to the MP, all arrangements have been finalized for construction to begin at the new site at Sherigu Basengo. The Bolga Sherigu SHS was originally established by community members using basic school facilities and was later absorbed by the government in 2018. However, the school has since lacked many of the necessary facilities required to function effectively as a senior high school.

The National Democratic Congress (NDC), during the 2020 and 2024 general elections, promised to construct a modern school for the Sherigu community. In fulfillment of this promise, Isaac Adongo, together with the Municipal Chief Executive, Roland Ayoo, visited the site after paying a courtesy call on the Chief of Sherigu. Addressing the media, the MP explained that the new project aims not only to provide a befitting school for Sherigu SHS but also to ensure that the basic school in the community continues to operate without disruption.

“It was becoming obvious that the school was not fit for purpose and that we needed to build a state-of-the-art school for them. But also, to create the space for the basic school to continue to function as a basic school because once we took away the school from the basic school, then those other kids would have to travel far away to access basic education, and it poses a lot of risk to those kids,” Mr. Adongo emphasized.

The MP further stated that the construction of the new school will be funded by the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund), assuring that financing will not be a challenge once work begins. The new school complex is expected to include a three-storey 18-unit classroom block, a two-storey dormitory block with a courtyard for both boys and girls, a two-storey administration and library block, 12-seater toilet facilities for boys and girls, four semi-detached two-bedroom staff bungalows, and a three-bedroom headmaster’s bungalow.

The Bolgatanga Municipal Chief Executive, Roland Ayoo, who accompanied the MP to the site, expressed excitement about the government’s commitment, through the efforts of the MP, to provide Sherigu with a modern senior high school. He revealed that the Municipal Assembly, in collaboration with the MP, plans to clear the site by October 2025 in preparation for the official handover to the contractor to commence construction.

Source: A1Radioonline.com | 101.1 MHz | David Azure | Bolgatanga

Residents call for action as Upper East Records 2,436 teenage pregnancies in 2025

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Social analyst, Ayam Fidelis Atura, has expressed deep concern over the rising cases of teenage pregnancy in the Upper East Region, describing the trend as a serious problem that requires urgent action.

His comments follow fresh data from the Ghana Health Service indicating that 2,436 cases were recorded between January and May 2025 alone. Among these, 25 involved girls aged 10 to 14 years, while the rest were adolescents between 15 and 19.

Speaking on A1 Radio, Mr. Atura said the involvement of children as young as 10 makes the situation even more troubling. He called for broader community dialogue on moral values and child upbringing.

“I think that is really alarming. To have children between the ages of 10 and 14— that’s a very serious problem. It calls for all of us to get involved and have a proper discussion about our morals.”

According to him, parenting has declined over the years, with many young parents struggling to provide proper guidance and supervision for their children.

“For some time now, parenting has really declined. In most cases, we just blame the children, saying they are exposed to certain activities, but parenting itself is very important.”

He added that the weakening of the extended family system has also worsened the situation. In the past, child upbringing was seen as a shared responsibility of the whole community, but this has shifted to the nuclear family, leaving children with little support. He further noted that many parents today resist attempts by others to correct their children, a development he believes is deepening the crisis.

While acknowledging that poverty is a factor, Mr. Atura argued that irresponsible parenting plays a bigger role. He emphasized that committed parents can still create the right environment for their children by monitoring their activities and shielding them from harmful influences.

“People say it has to do with poverty. Of course, poverty is an issue. But when you are a responsible parent who is truly concerned about your children, you take an interest in what they do and where they go. That alone can control a lot and ensure the child grows within the right environment.”

He also criticized the growing normalization of children’s involvement in inappropriate social activities, warning that communities often fail to question such behaviors. He called for stricter regulations and stronger accountability to address the problem.

Mr. Atura urged community leaders, parents, and other stakeholders in the region to work together to confront the surge in teenage pregnancies, cautioning that the trend threatens the moral and social fabric of society.

“It’s high time we, as a community and as a region, start putting an end to these activities.”

Source: A1Radioonline.com | 101.1MHz | Gifty Eyram Kudiabor | Bolgatanga

Peace Council tasks women to promote peace in homes, schools

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The National Peace Council in the Upper East Region has urged women to take a stronger role in preventing conflicts both within their homes and in the wider community. The call comes in the wake of a wave of unrest in senior high schools, including a recent riot at Bolgatanga Technical Institute that led to the school’s indefinite closure.

Speaking on A1 Radio, Assistant Programmes Manager of the Peace Council in the Upper East, Fouzia Ayinpogbila Issifu, highlighted the influential position women hold in shaping family and community life. She stressed that women should not see themselves only as victims of conflict but as central figures in building peace. According to her, women have the power to either fuel disputes or resolve them, and for this reason, they must always choose to foster harmony.

She noted that women play a crucial role in guiding their husbands and children, urging them to de-escalate rather than aggravate tensions. Fouzia explained that when conflicts erupt, women and children are often the most affected, making preventive action within households essential to curbing violence in society.

She also emphasized the importance of mothers instilling discipline and peace in their children from an early age. She cautioned that encouraging retaliation when children face challenges in school can foster a culture of violence that extends into adulthood. Instead, she urged parents to guide their children toward peaceful resolution of disputes.

The Peace Council believes that strengthening peacebuilding roles at the family level is critical to addressing broader community challenges and reducing the likelihood of violent incidents such as the recent school riots.

Source: A1Radioonline.com | 101.1MHz | Gifty Eyram Kudiabor | Bolgatanga

“My pain is the pain of Upper East youth” – Dennis Apusika on walking from Bolgatanga to Accra

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A youth activist from the Upper East Region, Dennis Apusika, has described the excruciating pain he endured on his 27-day walk from Bolgatanga to Accra as a symbol of the neglect and struggles faced by the youth of the region due to poor sporting infrastructure.

Dennis, who covered an astonishing 785 kilometers in his campaign for a modern sports stadium in the Upper East, arrived at the Black Star Square in Accra on Sunday, August 17, 2025, to a warm reception led by the Chief Executive of the National Youth Authority, Osman Ayariga.

Speaking about his journey, Dennis admitted that the physical pain was intense, but it carried a deeper meaning.
“When I started the walk, the pain in my body was unbearable. But this pain represents the years of abandoned and incomplete sports facilities in the Upper East Region. I endured it because I know the youth of my region have endured worse – years of being denied a proper stadium to develop their talent,” he explained.

According to Dennis, his journey was not just about endurance but about advocacy. “I want government and stakeholders to understand that this is not about me. It is about thousands of young people who love football and other sports but have no facility to harness their skills. My pain is their pain. This walk is a cry for change.”

He revealed that the idea was born out of a casual comment he made about walking if Paris Saint-Germain lost to Chelsea during the FIFA Club World Cup. But instead of treating it as a joke, Dennis turned it into a campaign with purpose. “I decided to use the comment to highlight the plight of my people. And so I walked through sun, rain, and exhaustion.”

Dennis’s journey has already drawn nationwide attention to the long-standing call for a befitting sports facility in the region. He expressed hope that his pain would inspire both leaders and the youth.

The Chief Executive of the National Youth Authority, Osman Ayariga, praised Dennis for his bravery and determination, saying his sacrifice was a powerful reminder of the urgent need to invest in sports infrastructure across Ghana.

A1Radioonline.com|101.1Mhz|Joshua Asaah|

M-CODe joins hands with The Street Janitors to clean Bolgatanga Central Market

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The Upper East Regional branch of the Media Coalition Against Open Defecation (M-CODe) on Saturday, August 16, 2025, partnered with a volunteer youth group, The Street Janitors, to clean up the Bolgatanga Central Market.

Defying the early morning rains on a busy market day, members of both groups dislodged choked gutters and cleared heaps of refuse around the market, while sensitizing traders on the dangers of poor sanitation. During the exercise, it was observed that some traders had been dumping waste—including human excreta—into the market’s drains, worsening sanitation concerns in the regional capital.

Speaking to journalists, Mrs. Gladys Apuweni, Regional Treasurer of M-CODe, underscored the coalition’s commitment to fighting open defecation and promoting hygiene.

“Today’s exercise is not only about cleaning the market but also about education. We have observed practices that are very worrying, including dumping human waste in gutters. Such practices fuel outbreaks of cholera, typhoid, and malaria. We engaged the traders directly to encourage them to adopt proper sanitation practices, access toilet facilities, and practice personal hygiene,” she explained.

Mrs. Apuweni added that the market clean-up formed part of M-CODe’s nationwide campaign, which complements radio sensitization programs and community outreach initiatives aimed at ending open defecation.

“As a coalition, we are determined to ensure that open defecation becomes a thing of the past in our homes, markets, and streets,” she stressed.

The exercise was part of activities marking the 2025 Ghana Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) Week. This year’s WASH Week, organized by the Ghana Coalition of NGOs in Water and Sanitation (CONIWAS) in collaboration with M-CODe and other partners, runs under the national theme: “WASH for a Healthy Ghana, Everyone, Everywhere.”

M-CODe has also adopted the complementary theme: “Dignity for All, Toilets for All: End Open Defecation Now,” emphasizing the urgent need to improve sanitation and hygiene across communities. The sensitization in the market was aimed at raising awareness among traders and residents while promoting clean toilet facilities and discouraging unsanitary practices.

The Street Janitors, a youth-led volunteer group that mobilizes every Saturday to clean parts of Bolgatanga, played a central role in the exercise. Their leader, Clement Ayamga, explained the motivation behind their work.

“We are not paid to do this. Everyone here is a volunteer. Our goal is simple — to keep our environment clean. People sometimes think it is the government’s responsibility alone, but sanitation is everyone’s business. That is why we gather every Saturday to identify dirty areas, dislodge choked gutters, and clean the streets,” he said.

Mr. Ayamga commended M-CODe for partnering with them and appealed for logistical support.

“We need boots, gloves, wheelbarrows, and basic sanitation tools. We are grateful to individuals and groups who have supported us, but we call on the assembly, corporate bodies, and government agencies to partner with us. Cleanliness benefits us all,” he emphasized.

Some traders welcomed the exercise, admitting that poor attitudes among market users had contributed to the problem.

“As for me, I have a container in my shop for refuse, which I later dispose of in the assembly’s waste bin. But some traders wait until it rains and then pour rubbish into the gutters. That is why the drains are always choked. We need to change our attitudes,” lamented Rakia Sule, a trader.

With the support of civil society, volunteers, and local communities, M-CODe believes Bolgatanga can once again regain the enviable reputation it held in 2004, when it was adjudged the cleanest town in Ghana.

A1Radioonline.com | 101.1MHz | Joshua Asaah | Bolgatanga

Paga Youth Movement, security agencies work to combat illicit drugs in Kassena-Nankana West

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The Paga Youth Movement has pledged to strengthen collaboration with security agencies in the Kassena-Nankana West District of the Upper East Region to curb the growing menace of illicit drugs in the area.

The commitment was made during a working visit on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, to key security institutions in the district, including the Ghana Immigration Service at Paga. According to the group, the visit sought to deepen existing partnerships, enhance intelligence sharing, and advocate for the community’s security needs.

Chairman of the Paga Youth Movement, Wenawome Duriyem Aborah, emphasized that tackling drug-related crimes requires a united effort between the community and law enforcement.

“We need to enhance intelligence sharing, particularly with agencies like the Narcotics Control Commission. By working together, we can expose drug trafficking networks and suspicious activities before they harm our community,” he said.

Aborah added that the group is ready to support law enforcement in tracking and reporting traffickers, which could lead to investigations and possible prosecutions.

“Our aim is not only to fight the drug trade but also to deter others. We also urge security agencies to intensify community education, especially targeting the youth, about the dangers of drug abuse and the importance of reporting suspicious activities,” he noted.

Receiving the delegation, the Sector Commander of the Ghana Immigration Service in Paga, DCO1 William Kwame Sabi, expressed readiness to work closely with the youth movement to address security concerns.

“Your local knowledge and perspectives are invaluable. When we gain insight from the community, it strengthens our strategies and builds trust between the public and security agencies,” he said.

Commander Sabi also cautioned about the growing security threats along Ghana’s borders, particularly in light of instability in neighboring Burkina Faso.

“Every day, people transit this route without permits. This has serious implications for our national security. A joint effort between the Paga Youth Movement and the sector command can significantly enhance security measures and make our community safer,” he added.

The Paga Youth Movement has a history of working with security agencies and believes this renewed commitment will help dismantle criminal networks while protecting the youth from the dangers of drug abuse.

Source: A1Radioonline.com|101.1Mhz|Joseph Napolean Anaaya|Bolgatanga|

BTU secures US$100,000 EU grant to boost graduate digital skills

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Bolgatanga Technical University (BTU) has secured a US$100,000 grant from the European Union to implement a two-and-a-half-year pilot project aimed at equipping graduates with advanced digital skills to enhance employability and entrepreneurship.

Under the leadership of Vice-Chancellor Professor Samuel Erasmus Alnaa, the Integrated Digital Competency and Jobs Accelerator Project (IDAP) will establish an Integrated Digital Skills and Employability Hub (IDSEH) on BTU’s Sumbrungu Campus.

The hub will provide training in artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, data analytics, and cybersecurity.

Supported by the UN Capital Development Fund under the EU–Ghana Pact for Skills, the project seeks to promote sustainable employability in the tertiary education sector.

At a validation meeting, Project Lead Alexis Adugdaa Ayamdor said the initiative will drive graduate employability through skills development, stronger industry collaboration, and enhanced pre-employment support.

The project will align institutional policies with industry demands, establish partnerships, reactivate advisory committees, and host stakeholder forums.

“These measures will guarantee industry participation in curriculum development while expanding opportunities for internships, mentorships, and industrial tours,” Mr. Ayamdor explained.

The initiative will also provide upgraded infrastructure, modular training programmes, entrepreneurship bootcamps, job readiness workshops, graduate tracking systems, and mentorship schemes.

Professor Alnaa hailed the grant as a “significant opportunity” for students to acquire relevant skills and actively contribute to Ghana’s socio-economic growth.

Source: A1Radioonline.com|101.1Mhz|Moses Apiah|Bolgatanga|

Bolgatanga Technical Institute shut down after students torch facilities

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The Bolgatanga Technical Institute (BOTECH) has been closed indefinitely after parts of the school were set ablaze during a violent student riot.

The unrest, which reportedly began late last night and escalated into the early hours of this morning, resulted in the destruction of the school’s library and the senior housemaster’s office. The exact cause of the disturbances is yet to be established.

In a statement, the Bolgatanga District Secretary of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), Ajono Martin Adonis, confirmed the closure, noting that the decision was taken by authorities to safeguard the lives of staff and students, as well as to protect property.

Investigations are ongoing, and authorities say updates will be provided as more details emerge.

Source: A1Radioonline.com|101.1Mhz|Seidu Mutawakil Azangbeogo|Bolgatanga|

Talensi Traditional Council bans TAMCI from operating in the area

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The Talensi Traditional Council has placed an indefinite ban on the Talensi Mining Communities Initiative (TAMCI), prohibiting the group from operating anywhere within the Talensi Traditional Area. The decision, the Council says, follows what it describes as the group’s persistent acts of disrespect, unlawful representation of the people, and interference in matters concerning mining operations in the district.

In a resolution signed by the President of the Council, Tongraan Kugbilsong Nanlebegtang, and circulated to key stakeholders including chiefs, queen mothers, mining companies, the police, the Upper East Regional Minister, the President of the Upper East Regional House of Chiefs, the MP and DCE for the area, and the media, the Council said TAMCI had been invited to a meeting at the Tongraan’s Palace on August 11, 2025, to clarify its activities. The group, however, declined the invitation, insisting it would only meet at a venue other than the palace.

The resolution accuses TAMCI of assuming the role of community representatives without any mandate, engaging mining companies to negotiate and sign community social responsibility agreements, and even writing to Cardinal Namdini Mining Company to suspend operations in Yameriga—a directive it also attempted to enforce on the chief of the area. The group is also alleged to have accused members of the Council’s employment committee of taking bribes from job seekers without providing proof, instigating illegal mining activities, attempting to organise demonstrations against licensed mining firms, and wrongfully demanding the dismissal of certain mining company employees.

The Council further accuses TAMCI of instigating, misinforming, and misrepresenting issues within the traditional area, and of demanding that dealings with communities be conducted through them rather than the recognised traditional authorities.

“It has been resolved at this meeting that TAMCI is prohibited from operating in the Talensi Traditional Area. TAMCI has no locus in Talensi and has not been mandated or authorised to represent or communicate for or on behalf of any person or group in Talensi,” the resolution states. It also directs that all companies in the Talensi Traditional Area must refrain from engaging with the group and that no chief or Tindaana should permit TAMCI to hold any meeting or activity in their jurisdiction.

The resolution reinforces the Council’s position as the sole traditional authority mandated to represent the interests of the Talensi people in matters relating to land, mining, and community development.

A1Radioonline.com|101.1Mhz|Joshua Asaah

Security expert calls for overhaul of Ghana’s emergency preparedness after helicopter crash

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Security consultant and fraud prevention expert Richard Kumadoe has raised serious concerns about Ghana’s readiness to handle national emergencies, describing the country’s preparedness as “poor” and urgently in need of reform.

Speaking on Tinmaalgo Sanga on Bolga FM on Tuesday, 12 August 2025, Mr. Kumadoe said the tragic Z-9 helicopter crash on 6 August 2025 exposed critical weaknesses in the nation’s crisis response systems.

“As a nation, our preparedness for managing national crises and emergencies is bad. It is poor and it lacks merit,” he stated. “When all this is done and settled, we need to look at it again and ask ourselves, why are we not getting it right? Let’s beef it up. Let’s enhance it, so that we operate with some level of readiness.”

Mr. Kumadoe commended the people of Sikakrom, a community near the crash site, for their selfless assistance in the search and recovery efforts despite lacking formal training or safety equipment.

“The villagers helped the Regional Minister and the military find the bodies. At one point, after finding four bodies, some suggested stopping the search. But the minister, alongside a military officer, insisted, ‘We are going nowhere until we find every body, alive or dead.’ The villagers stood with them until all the victims were accounted for,” he recalled.

He stressed that the commitment of the local residents demonstrated the potential benefits of community disaster education and training.

“If you educate the villagers properly, they would have acted even better because they have the will to help. They just want to help their compatriots,” Mr. Kumadoe said, adding that once the military took full charge, “you saw the respect and decency in which the bodies were handled, flown to Accra, and given a ceremony.”

The helicopter crash occurred in the Adansi Akrofuom District of the Ashanti Region, claiming the lives of Defence Minister Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, Environment Minister Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, and six others, including military personnel.

Source: A1Radioonline.com|101.1Mhz|Seidu Mutawakil Azangbeogo|Bolgatanga|

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