- Advertisement -
Home Blog Page 285

Injustice! : Victims of police brutality in Upper East Region await justice, seek closure

0

Every citizen is expected to place their trust and faith in the actions of the police service, as mandated by the laws of the country.

However, in a troubling series of events, people in the Upper East Region have begun raising serious concerns about the police force’s commitment to upholding the law and protecting citizens.

The Upper East Regional Police Command, in recent times, has come under serious scrutiny for its apparent failure to provide justice and compensation to victims who were brutalised by some police officers in 2021 and 2022.

These incidents have left individuals and families in distress, struggling to make ends meet while justice remains elusive.

One disturbing incident from 2021 involved Madam Faustina Aboba, a resident in the Bolgatanga Municipality, whose life was turned upside down when a police officer allegedly burned down her pub and rented apartment. The officer’s motive, as claimed by Madam Aboba, was her sister’s refusal to engage in a romantic relationship.

Despite being directed to submit a report on the damages and having the Fire Service department assess the situation, the police have failed to take responsibility.

Madam Aboba, who spoke to our reporter, Moses Apiah, said she now grapples with daily survival as her family’s welfare hangs in the balance.

“All that I need now is even if the police can come and fix the landlord’s apartment back for him. The apartment is in complete darkness. My landlord is old and does not have money. Even if I’m trying to pick a lawyer, people are saying that even if I do, I may still not get justice,” she said. 

When asked whether she was shocked that for the past two years, she had yet to receive justice, Madam Aboda said her most regrettable experience was that the said police officer had been reposted to the national capital and often made mocking comments about her and her family regarding their situation.

“Imagine if it was to be the other way round, would the police have been as relaxed as they are with my situation? I feel like there is no justice in this country for the less privileged.” 

In another incident from the same year, Francis Gbandan Mahama was shot in the leg by a police officer on the Pusu-namoo stretch of the Bolgatanga-Tamale Highway merely for riding a motorbike and refusing to stop when instructed by an officer. This shocking act of violence left Mahama, a resident in the Talensi District, physically and emotionally scarred, with no justice in sight.

In an interaction with Mr. Apiah, the brother of the victim, Anthony, said his brother is currently physically challenged as the leg that was shot has no strength to function like the other leg.

“As we speak, my brother is now seemingly disabled. He can’t longer do the things he used to do. The police also failed to properly compensate us. So, as a family, we are shocked at how the police have handled the incident.”

Anthony said that based on his interactions with the police officers he doubts if there will ever be justice for them.  

The injustices did not stop in 2021, as in 2022, a lady was shot by another police officer in the Karimenga stretch of the Bolgatanga-Tamale Highway in the North East Region. This occurred after a rider, who had picked up the lady, failed to stop as instructed by the police officer. 

Speaking to the victim’s brother, Godwin Wuni, he said his sister was currently at one of their relatives in Kumasi assisting them with their house choirs, but her living condition has been “disfigured” at some point as she continues to have some nightmares of the incident and often feel pains anytime she did any heavy work.

His sister was shot in the buttock by the said officer. 

These victims have endured unimaginable trauma, and their lives have been forever altered.

The actions of the said police officers have, of course, contradicted the Police Service Act 1970 (ACT 350), Section One, which states, paraphrased, that the Police Service must prevent and detect crime, apprehend offenders, and maintain public order and the safety of persons and property. Every police officer shall perform such functions as the law confers upon them and shall obey all lawful orders and directions from their superiors in the Police Service.

While these cases have caught the attention of the Inspector General of Police, George Akuffo Dampare, who later ordered the Upper East Regional Police Command to carry out investigations and provide appropriate compensation, the victims are yet to receive a single penny from the police. Their lives have become a constant struggle, and their pursuit of justice has been met with threats from the very officers responsible for their suffering.

At the time of writing this report, efforts to obtain responses from the Upper East Regional Police Command have proven futile, leaving the victims and their families in a state of despair and uncertainty.

As these victims continue to suffer, the Upper East Regional Police Command must take immediate action to deliver justice, compensation, and closure to those who have been wronged.

Source: A1radioonline.Com|101.1|Moses Apiah|Bolgatanga

Bolga-Soe: Camerons School Complex committed to improving basic school education

0

Camerons School Complex has restated its commitment to basic school education in the Bolgatanga Municipality of the Upper East Region. 

Additionally, the school, considering the current economic situation in the country, is focused on delivering budget-friendly education for pupils. 

The Director of the school, Felix Adagwine Akampoi made this known at the graduation ceremony of the school and added that the school’s mission is to offer a holistic and practical approach to education, emphasising the importance of hands-on learning experiences.

“I am proud to declare that Cameron’s School Complex is dedicated to ensuring that our students receive a well-rounded education that goes beyond textbooks. We believe in nurturing young talents, encouraging creativity, and instilling a love for learning. Our educators are not just teachers; they are mentors, guides, and inspirations,” Mr. Akanpueh added. 

During the graduation ceremony, some of the pupils also expressed their excitement about being part of Cameron’s School Complex. They shared their personal growth stories and the profound impact that the school’s innovative teaching methods had on their lives.

One student, Emmanuella, who had recently graduated from the lower level to the upper level said, “Cameron’s School Complex has transformed my life. The practical learning experiences and the dedicated educators have broadened my horizons. I urge all my friends to convince their parents to enrol them here; it’s a life-changing experience.”

The parents expressed gratitude to the school management for not only offering affordable tuition fees but also for continuously improving the teaching methods and providing professional educators.

Mrs. Pricilla Atiah, a parent, said, “Cameron’s School Complex has made quality education accessible to everyone. The dedication of the staff and their commitment to our children’s growth is commendable. It’s a true blessing for Bolgatanga.”

Source: A1radioonline.Com|101.1|Moses Apiah|Bolgatanga

Downpour cuts off major road linking Upper West Region, portions of Savannah Region to southern sector

0

A heavy downpour in the early hours of September 17, 2023, washed away a bridge at Bole in the Savannah Region, cutting off the Upper West Region from the southern part of Ghana.

The rain is said to have started around 1:00AM and lasted for several hours, washing away the Doli Bridge close to Bole.

This has left several passengers and commuters from the southern part of Ghana to the upper west and vice versa stranded as the road remains inaccessible.

The member of Parliament for the Bole-Bamboi Constituency, Alhaji Yussif Sulemana, has indicated that he is in touch with the District Chief Executive (DCE) and the Regional Minister and they are collaborating with the Roads and Highway Authority to pave the way forward.

He said commuters on the Techiman-Wa stretch of the road would now have to use the Techiman-Kintampo-Fulfulso – Damongo – Sawla road to get to Upper West.

While sympathizing with commuters, he said the collapse of the bridge has worsened the plight of his constituents in the ongoing limited registration exercise, citing the challenges confronting registrants and the cost they had to incur before getting to the registration center.

He called on commuters to exercise some restraint in the meantime as his outfit, together with the District Chief Executive and the Regional Minister, work closely with the Roads and Highways Authority to return the situation to normalcy as soon as possible.

The District Chief Executive (DCE), Veronica Alale, indicated that though the Roads and Highway Authority has been informed of the situation and has promised to assess it and determine the way forward, she is unsure of when they will be on site.

They revealed this when they spoke to Mark Smith on A1 Radio’s Daybreak Upper East show.

Source: A1radioonline.Com|101.1|Gilbert Azeem Tiroog|Bolgatanga

Feature: Registrants at the mercy of political parties as EC ignores calls for decentralization

0

Some registrants of the limited voter registration in the Nabdam District of the Upper East Region have been left with no option but to rely on political parties to transport them to the Electoral Commission’s office to register for their voter’s identification cards.

This is because, apart from the long distance between the various communities and the EC’s office, there are no commercial vehicles stationed at most community markets to aid in the transportation of people to the EC’s office in Nangodi.

Nangodi, which is the district‘s capital, is at the extreme end of the District, bordering Zebila in Bawku West  and distant from most of the communities.

While at Gane zoorin, a suburb of the Zanlerigu community, the news team chanced upon 19-year-old Moses Mba and 21-year-old Dok Yen, who were sitting by the road with hope of getting means of transport to the EC’s office.

According to them, they had failed in their previous attempt to secure a means of transport to the registration center, but were hopeful of getting one because they had been informed by their friends about a means of transport being offered by political parties and would be around to pick people up.

However, what was surprising to note was their admission of willing to vote for any political party that helped transport them to the registration center following their struggle to get to the EC’s office.

“For me, if I don’t get the means to go, then I don’t think I can force myself to go to Nangodi by foot, but any party that takes me to Nangodi will definitely have my vote because they said they would take you there to register and they would bring you back home”, Moses Mba told the news team.

He continued, “I think it will be unfair for me to vote for a party that did not help me register for the card and rather leave the party that helped me. Come to think of it, whether NPP or NDC, nothing will change, so I don’t see the need to be biased.

Dok Yen also told the news team that “I am very interested in registering for the voter’s ID card, but the problem is how to get to Nangodi because there is no commercial vehicle from Zanlerigu to Nangodi, so even if I have money to go on my own, where is the means of transport”.

“I have written my name to join the NPP car that will be coming to pick us up, and that is why we are waiting here, but if we get means, we will go and ask for a refund because they said if we can also get means to come, they will pay for us”, he added.

Though the assertions by these two individuals may be deemed isolated, the case of political parties aiding registrants to registration centers is not limited to the Nabdam District as it cut across due to the difficulty presented to registrants.

Response by EC

The Upper East Regional Director of the Electoral Commission, William Obeng Adarkwah, acknowledged the challenges confronting registrants in the Region.

” We admit that we know our territory and we know some of the challenges that could confront a lot of people who would have loved to register”, he stated.

He, however, appealed to the political parties and well-meaning Ghanaians to help in the transportation of registrants to registration centers.

“We will urge opinion leaders, political party persons, and anybody so patriotic to assist in certain areas where they think distances are too challenging for prospective registrants to be helped in terms of transport”, he added.

Concerns by stakeholders

The Upper East Regional Dean of Presiding Members, John Apaabey, indicated earlier that the decision by the Electoral Commission (EC) to register new entrants into the voter register at its District and Municipal offices across the country will pose a lot of difficulty to registrants.

Mr. Apaabey, noted that the conduct of the exercise in District offices will disadvantage registrants from distant communities, lower the interest of registrants and would ultimately not yield the desire outcome of the exercise.

This he bemoaned would also give undue advantage to politicians to benefit from the inconvenience created by aiding new entrants throughout the registration to enable them influence their decisions in the upcoming District level elections.

According to him, three Districts in the region have since not been able to elect their presiding members due to the political interests of some Assembly members, who champion the interests of their parties rather than the communities they represent.

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) and four other opposition parties have also filed a law suit against the EC at the Supreme Court following its decision to restrict registration to only its District and Municipal offices across the country.

They argued that this decision by the EC has the tendency to deprive many eligible voters of their right to register to vote in public elections.

The Upper East Regional Deputy Communication Officer of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), Andrew Atariwini, argued that there is a need for the sovereignty of the EC to be protected.

According to him, the continued comments on the Commission’s decision over the limited registration of political parties can have dire consequences regarding their independence and have the potential to breed violence.

”We are breeding a very peaceful atmosphere with violence because the EC is an independent body that is supposed to officiate the contest between political actors,” he stated.

He added that “if political actors begin to cast doubts based on their political interests and call the EC names to erode the trust the Ghanaian people should have in the EC, then we are marked for doom.”

Challenges confronting registrants

While this debate continues about the EC’s decision to restrict registration to its district and municipal offices across the country, there is one thing that is clear: the difficulty posed to registrants.

Settlements in the Nabdam District, just like most Districts and municipalities in the upper East Region, are far apart with deplorable routes and barely without any commercial vehicles for inner movement.

This, coupled with rains in this period of the season, therefore makes it extremely difficult for most potential voters to get to the EC’s offices, mostly located in the District’s capital, to get registered.

Conclusion

The Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, Jean Mensah, indicated that the Commission was hoping to register 1,350,000 new voters by the close of the registration exercise.

While the EC probably meeting this target may be considered a successful exercise as planned, it goes without saying that registrants have been subjected to undue suffering in getting registered.

Again, the system has created an undue advantage for political parties with resources to take control of registrants, which has the tendency to influence their votes in a certain direction, which otherwise would have been avoided in a decentralized exercise.

This therefore goes to defeat the principle of free and fair elections as democracy demands.

Source: A1radioonline.Com|101.1MHz|Gilbert Azeem Tiroog| Nabdam

Nabdam: Zanlerigu JHS library, ICT projects left to rot due to lack of funds

0

An Information and Communication Technology (ICT) laboratory and a library project at the Zanlerigu Junior High School (JHS) in the Nabdam District of the Upper East Region have been stalled for lack of funds.

The project, which started in 2009 with a GH¢10 contribution from pupils each term has been left to deteriorate. Parts of the building have begun falling off. The building was constructed beyond the window level.

The project is aimed at improving teaching and learning of ICT as a subject by equipping the pupils with practical knowledge to enable them to be well versed in the technologically driven world and serve as a reference source of books where pupils can learn.

The idea of the project, as initiated by the management of the school, is intended to bridge the gap between the theories and practices that exist in the school in the area of ICT and also serve as a platform that offers pupils an opportunity to learn on their own.

The Head teacher of the school, Cletus Abaa Assibi, indicated that ICT as a subject is practically oriented, and it is important that pupils are given practical knowledge on the subject to enable them to appreciate concepts expressed theoretically.

The Chairman of the Parents Association (PA) of the school, Anthony Dittoh, said the inability of parents to continue funding the project through the Development Levy Fee introduced by management of the school, which compelled pupils to pay in each term, led to the stalled project.

He explained that the project had little external support except for some bags of cement donated by NONGZOYA, a non-governmental organization based in Norway.

According to him, a letter was written to the Nabdam District Assembly for help but yielded no results, as the Assembly neither offered help nor responded to their letter.

The Nabdam District Chief Executive (DCE), Agnes Anamoo, said efforts were being made by the Assembly to complete the project, but the funds were not readily available.

“I will not say the project has been abandoned, but you know, everything has to do with funding, and I personally have it in mind to complete the project, so as and when the Assembly gets the funds, it will be completed,” She stated

“I actually don’t know the discussion that went on at the time it started, but when I came in as DCE in 2017, it was an idea we all supported and is a project we are mindful of completing when the funds are ready,” she added.

The school is appealing to the government and other non-governmental organizations to help in completing the project to facilitate teaching and learning.

Source: A1radioonline.Com|101.1MHz|Gilbert Azeem Tiroog|Zanlerigu

Talensi: Train youth on heavy duty vehicle operation- TAMCI to Mining Companies

0

The Talensi Mining Community Initiative (TAMCI), a community-based organization in the Talensi District of the Upper East Region, has advocated for the training of the youth in the area on heavy-duty vehicle operation.

This, the organization noted, would help the youth gain meaningful employment with the mining companies operating in the area.

A member of TAMCI, Albert Naa,  indicated that while its outfit is working closely with other organizations to offer training on heavy-duty vehicle operations for the youth in the area, it is calling on the mining companies to also offer support in that regard.

“We are advocating for the mining companies operating in Talenteng to step in and stop training hairdressers and dress makers and actually train the youth as heavy-duty vehicle operators”, he stated.

The Secretary of TAMCI, Gilbert Laamdolba, called on the people in the area to come together and support the activities of the organization as they demand responsible mining and accountability for the benefit of all.

He noted that the organization does not belong to an individual, and any differences with a member of the organization should not transcend to disrupt its activities.

Mr. Samuel Sapak Bugre,  a member, reinstated that “we were one before mining came into our land, and this mining that should enhance development in our land should not create division among us”.

They made this appeal when they spoke on A1 Radio’s Daybreak Upper East show on mining activities in Talensi and matters arising.

Source:

A1radioonline.Com|101.1MHz|Gilbert Azeem Tiroog|Bolgatanga

Dr. Pushkin storms Jocom with North to South Concert today

0

The North to South (N2S) concert train will make its final stop at the magnificent Jocom Golden Hotel for the final face of the concert after an eventful experience at the Alliance Francaise in Accra.

The two day event will start off with a music seminar on Friday 15th September, 2023 with experts in music branding, promotion and more from Accra and the Upper east Region to educate patrons especially full time musicians, bloggers, Presenters etc. The music seminar will be strictly by invite.

The second day will be a music concert featuring performances from the likes of Dr. Pushkin, Soorebia, Ataana Nikita, Kangaja, Alaptawan and many more on Saturday 16th September 2023.

The event according to organisers is to help bridge the gap between the north and the south and to also help promote our crafts and culture internationally.

The two day event is sponsored by Isolirium Entertainment with media support from A1 Radio, Word FM, Dreamz FM, Sarknation.com and Showbiz Hour.

Source: A1Radioonline.com|101.1Mhz|Joshua Asaah|Zuarungu|Ghana

Talensi: TAMCI calls for unity in an effort to benefit from mining companies

0

The Talensi Mining Community Initiative (TAMCI), a responsible mining advocacy organization based in the Talensi District of the Upper East Region, has called on residents in the area to unite to reap the benefits of mining from companies operating in the area.

The organization noted that the division among residents is depriving them of the benefits they would ordinarily receive from the mining companies, and there is the need for them to come together.

“We were one before mining came into our land, and this mining that should rather enhance development in our land should not create division among us” a member of TAMCI, Samuel Sapak Bugre, told Mark Smith on A1 Radio`s Daybreak Upper East show.

The secretary of the community-based organization, Gilbert Laamdolba, reinstated that the focus of the organization is to ensure responsible and accountable mining for the benefit of the people of Talenteng.

“TAMCI does not belong to an individual, and as humans, we are not perfect, and I plead with all our people to come together and do what is expected of us to do in order to benefit from these mining companies for the entirety of Talensi, Upper East, and the country as a whole by ensuring responsible mining”, he said.

Mr. Albert Naa, a member of TAMCI, noted that the benefits the organization has brought to people since its establishment are enormous, and given the needed support by the people, they can all together achieve more.

He said plans are far advanced to work with other organizations to train young people in the area on heavy-duty vehicle operation to take advantage of employment in the mining companies.

“We are also advocating for the mining companies to step in and stop training hairdressers and dressmakers and actually train heavy-duty vehicle operators”, he added.

Source:

A1radioonline.Com|101.1MHz|Gilbert Azeem Tiroog|Bolgatanga

EC registers 1,616 voters first two days in Upper East Region

0

The Electoral Commission (EC), has registered a total of 1,616 voters onto the voter`s register on the first two days of the ongoing limited voter registration exercise in the Upper East Region.

This comprised 544 voters on the first day and 1072 voters on the second day of the exercise.

The Bongo District recorded the highest number of registrants on the first two days of the exercise, with 107 and 138, respectively.

The Builsa South District, on the other hand, recorded the lowest number of registrants on the first two days, with three and 17 registrants, respectively.

Three people had their registration challenged, which would be determined by the District Registration Review committee comprising representatives of the EC, political parties, the Ghana Education Service and Police service and the Traditional council.

However,the exercise is not without challenges, as the Upper East Regional Director of the Electoral Commission, Mr. William Obeng Adarkwah, admitted when he spoke on A1 Radio’s Daybreak Upper East show with Mark Smith.

“We admit that we know our territory, and we know some of the challenges that could confront a lot of people who would have loved to register”, he stated.

“We will urge opinion leaders, political parties, and anybody so patriotic to assist in certain areas where they think distances are too challenging for prospective registrants to be helped in terms of transport”, he added.

Aside these, Mr. Adarkwah said the exercise generally has been peaceful and smooth.

Source:

A1radioonline.Com|101.1MHz| Gilbert Azeem Tiroog|Bolgatanga

Upper East Regional Minister urges 2023 Ghana’s Strongest to be Peace Ambassador

0

The Upper East Regional Minister, Stephen Yakubu has urged the winner of TV3’s 2023 Ghana’s Strongest, Godfred Akolbila Adagkuga to be an ambassador of peace. As an ambassador for peace, Mr. Akolbila would propagate messages and take initiatives that would help promote peace, stability and unity in the region and beyond.  

Mr. Yakubu said the region has been unfortunately noted for many conflict-related and as such, recognisable people in influential positions, like the 2023 winner of Ghana’s Strongest should play their part to ensure that sanity is maintained in the region.

The Upper East regional minister made these statements when Godfred Akolbila paid a courtesy call on him in his office.

“I think that you should try to organise and go around speaking to the youth, especially for peace. You can go around and say look, instead of doing things that are not lawful you can also get something profitable doing. We have a lot of problems in this region, we have chieftaincy issues, we have tribal issues, we have land issues, you know the Bawku issue. Even in Bolga, we have chieftaincy issues. I think you can add peace initiative and go round to talk to the youth.”

Mr. Akolbila was in the region to appreciate the love and support the people gave him over the years during the competition. On his part, the Upper East regional Commander of the Ghana National Fire Service, Assistant Chief Fire Officer I Genfi Boateng expressed some level of excitement following his win. ACFO I encouraged Mr. Akolbila to focus and win more titles in Ghana and beyond.

“We pray that this title you will do your best and maintained it next season, and we pray again that as you exit people that you training people that are under you will also come out to lift the mountain so that the name of the Upper East will be lifted high”

Source: A1Radioonline.Com|101.1MHZ|David Azure |Bolgatanga|

1...284285286...1,810Page 285 of 1,810

Editor Picks

Site map

Useful Links

- Advertisement -