The Accra Regional Police Command of the Ghana Police Service has obtained an injunction against the Minority’s planned demonstration due to disagreements regarding the chosen route for Tuesday’s event.
A press release, dated August 30, 2023, and signed by Juliana Obeng, Head of the Public Affairs Unit, states that the police have concerns that the route selected by the Minority could potentially jeopardise essential services if the demonstration proceeds along that path.
“Following a security assessment conducted by the police regarding the selected route for the demonstration by the minority in Parliament,it is observed that public order, public safety, and provision of essential services may endangered if the proposed route are followed,” the statement noted.
Consequently, the police have requested the organising parties to reconsider both the planned route and the intended destination for the protest. However, this suggestion was met with rejection.
“Regrettably, a mutual agreement on the selected route could not be reached between the police and the organising party and the police have been left with no alternative but to seek legal recourse by approaching the court to determine the matter. Accordingly, today 30th August, the police filed an application at the court,” it added.
The Minority faction had intended to stage a demonstration at the Bank of Ghana (BoG) on Tuesday, September 5, to amplify their calls for the resignation of the Governor, Dr. Ernest Yedu Addison, and his two deputies. They assert that mismanagement of the country’s finances has occurred under their leadership.
The Member of Parliament for Wa West and retired police officer, Peter Toobu, has noted with concern that the frequent coups on the African continent with massive support from the grassroots are an indication that democracy in Africa is losing its legitimacy.
He said the era of coup d’etats is becoming rampant on the continent because governments have failed the masses with poor governance, plugging many into extreme poverty in the midst of valuable resources.
According to Mr. Toobu, many African countries have reduced democracy to elections, and after elections, nothing serious happens regarding development.
“We put all our money into winning elections and do nothing until the next election. We get money from the same people and give a little of it back to them for votes. If you continue to do that and the nation is not developing, we are going to get a situation like what is happening in Gabon, an oil and cocoa-rich country driven by poverty,” he bemoaned.
So we need to talk about good governance, good leadership, and our commitment to our various nations if we are to develop the spirit of patriotism, and above all, let’s move away from mediocrity because sometimes you hear people defending the indefensible because of party interest,” the retired police officer added.
This, he noted, is injecting poison into the state, and gradually we will all be consumed if care is not taken.
He revealed this when he spoke to Mark Smith on A1 Radio`s Daybreak Upper East show regarding the military takeovers of government on the continent, with Gabon being the current one after Niger, Burkina Faso, and Guinea, among others.
The management of the Bolgatanga Technical University (BTU) in the Upper East Region has been instructed by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament to recover GH 376,244.22 paid to one Emmanuel Akay, a lecturer with a fake certificate.
The lecturer who was using a fake master’s degree credential reportedly received such an amount, according to the 2021 Auditor General’s Report.
From October 2015 to September 2021, Emmanuel Akay is alleged to have used the fraudulent certificate to earn the amount from the university as a lecturer.
The report detailed that Mr. Akay was unable to graduate from the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA) because of his outstanding project work, so he made a phoney certificate and submitted it to the school for recognition.
At a public hearing to investigate financial irregularities that were raised in the 2021 Auditor General Report in Tamale, the regional capital of the Northern Region, the Chairman of PAC, Dr. James Klutse Avedzi, issued a directive to the university to retrieve the money from the lecturer with immediate effect or face additional charges for financial losses to the state.
In response, Prof. Samuel Erasmus Alnaa, Vice-Chancellor of the Bolgatanga Technical University, stated that the victim had been listed as a wanted person by the Economic Organised Crime Office (EOCO) after all efforts by the university to get him to pay the money had failed.
He added that in the university’s quest to retrieve the money from him, he threatened the University once more by using a fictitious law firm.
The PAC has begun public hearings in Tamale to consider the 2021 Auditor General’s reports referred to the committee.
They include the report of the Auditor General on universities and polytechnics and all pre-university educational institutions in the Northern, Upper East, Upper West, Savannah, and North East regions cited in the report for the period ending December 31, 2021.
A health expert, Paul Akapanga, has underscored the connection between high alcohol and caffeine intake and the occurrence of erectile dysfunction.
According to Mr. Akapanga, men’s efforts to impress their partners by consuming alcohol and energy drinks with caffeine could be detrimental to their sexual health.
He elaborated that prolonged, excessive alcohol consumption can hinder the ability to achieve and maintain an erection. Alcohol’s effect on the central nervous system can slow down information transmission between the brain and the penis, leading to reduced sensitivity in the penis.
Moreover, the health expert pointed out that combining alcohol and caffeine compounds the problem since both substances act as aphrodisiacs. This combination sends conflicting signals to the brain’s messengers responsible for initiating blood flow to the penis.
Mr. Akapanga stressed that this situation can even cause blood vessels to rupture, potentially resulting in a penile stroke, which may necessitate surgical intervention.
He further cautioned that conditions like high blood pressure, heart disease, and diabetes can damage nerves and alter blood flow to the penis, contributing to erectile dysfunction.
To mitigate the risk of erectile dysfunction, Mr. Akapanga advised the public to moderate their consumption of such beverages and substances used to enhance sexual performance. He also highlighted that not all cases of erectile dysfunction can be resolved through surgery, urging the public to exercise caution.
Mr. Akapanga encouraged men to include foods like groundnuts, tiger nuts, and coconuts in their diets, as they may positively impact sperm count.
These insights were shared during Akapanga’s conversation with Mark Smith on A1 Radio’s Daybreak Upper show, where the health segment aimed to educate the public about health-related matters.
Emmanuel Wullingdool, an agriculture policy consultant, has highlighted that the second phase of the Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJ) programme shows potential in addressing the very concerns that arose during its initial phase.
Mr. Wullingdool emphasised that “under the current structure of the programme, farmers can expect to receive inputs when they need them and in the appropriate quantities.”
He pointed out that unlike the first phase, where inputs fell into the wrong hands and were illicitly taken out of the country, particularly concerning subsidised fertilisers, the second phase of the program aims to rectify these challenges through effective implementation.
This insight was shared by the Agriculture Policy Consultant during a conversation with Ibrahim Aziz on A1 Radio’s News Link following the launch of the second phase of the PFJ.
The second phase of the PFJ introduces an innovative and comprehensive approach that builds upon the achievements of the initial program. This five-year master plan seeks to transform and modernise the agricultural sector in the country by establishing selected commodity value chains, with active private sector participation.
The strategy places strong emphasis on value chains by enhancing collaboration among participants across eleven distinct agricultural commodity value chains.
Key components of the second phase of the PFJ Programme that highlight the modernization and transformation of the country’s agriculture encompass an input credit system granting farmers access to essential inputs like seeds, fertilisers, and pesticides.
Additionally, the programme offers high-quality inputs and supplementary support services to enhance productivity and yields. It also includes plans for storage infrastructure and a logistic hub to optimise storage and distribution, thus reducing postharvest losses.
Furthermore, the programme incorporates commodity trading to facilitate farmer access to markets, ensuring equitable prices for their produce. A digitised platform for management, monitoring, and coordination is set to enhance the programme’s efficiency and effectiveness.
An agriculture policy consultant, Emmanuel Wullingdool, has highlighted that the second phase of the Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJ) programme shows potential in addressing the very concerns that arose during its initial phase.
Mr. Wullingdool emphasised that “under the current structure of the programme, farmers can expect to receive inputs when they need them and in the appropriate quantities.”
He pointed out that unlike the first phase, where inputs fell into the wrong hands and were illicitly taken out of the country, particularly concerning subsidised fertilisers, the second phase of the program aims to rectify these challenges through effective implementation.
This insight was shared by the Agriculture Policy Consultant during a conversation with Ibrahim Aziz on A1 Radio’s News Link following the launch of the second phase of the PFJ.
The second phase of the PFJ introduces an innovative and comprehensive approach that builds upon the achievements of the initial program. This five-year master plan seeks to transform and modernise the agricultural sector in the country by establishing selected commodity value chains, with active private sector participation.
The strategy places strong emphasis on value chains by enhancing collaboration among participants across eleven distinct agricultural commodity value chains.
Key components of the second phase of the PFJ Programme that highlight the modernization and transformation of the country’s agriculture encompass an input credit system granting farmers access to essential inputs like seeds, fertilisers, and pesticides.
Additionally, the programme offers high-quality inputs and supplementary support services to enhance productivity and yields. It also includes plans for storage infrastructure and a logistic hub to optimise storage and distribution, thus reducing postharvest losses.
Furthermore, the programme incorporates commodity trading to facilitate farmer access to markets, ensuring equitable prices for their produce. A digitised platform for management, monitoring, and coordination is set to enhance the programme’s efficiency and effectiveness.
The Upper East Regional Branch of the Ghana National Association of Garages has launched a dedicated committee to assess apprentices who have not completed their training yet are operating their repair shops.
This decision has been taken to ensure the safety and competence of local mechanics, addressing the increasing concerns within the automotive repair sector in the region.
Seidu Akurugu, the Vice Chairman of the Association, announced this development on A1 Radio. He emphasised that a significant number of apprentices prematurely leave their training programs and establish independent shops, which potentially compromises the quality of service they offer and the safety of their clients.
The Vice Chairman stated, “We are committed to upholding high standards of professionalism and safety within our industry. Allowing unqualified mechanics to operate independently not only tarnishes our reputation but also poses serious risks to vehicle owners.”
He mentioned that the newly established committee would be tasked with conducting comprehensive assessments of these apprentice-turned-entrepreneurs. Their assessments will encompass evaluating their knowledge, skills, and adherence to industry safety standards. Individuals found deficient in any of these aspects will be required to undergo additional training and education before being granted permission to continue their operations.
“This initiative is not aimed at obstructing the progress of young mechanics but rather ensuring that they are sufficiently trained and qualified to offer dependable services,” Akurugu clarified. “We aim to motivate them to complete their apprenticeships and acquire the necessary skills and knowledge before venturing into independent careers.”
The Association also intends to collaborate with local technical and vocational schools to provide supplementary support and guidance to apprentices, thereby increasing the likelihood of them successfully completing their training.
He further emphasised that this initiative is expected to not only benefit mechanics but also enhance the overall experience and safety of vehicle owners in the region.
Parents of children with special needs in the Upper East Region are appealing to authorities to go to their aid in their attempts to raise children with special needs to be independent citizens of the country who contribute meaningfully to national development.
The parents stated that it is extremely difficult to raise children born with neuro-developmental disorders especially in the Upper East region because of the high cost of living and high cost of medication.
According to the parents, considering the expensive nature of taking care of a child with special needs and the stigma associated with it, there is a need for the government to provide a waiver on the medication they purchase for the children.
Including the said drugs in the list of essential medicines on the National Health Insurance Scheme is the way to go, the parents said.
Speaking at a symposium for children suffering from neuro-developmental conditions in Bolgatanga, the Upper East Regional capital, Mrs. Mary Ayinbilla one of the parents from the Bolgatanga municipality said “I want to plead with my father [Upper East regional Minister], to please talk to authorities to help us with the medication. Please we want our children’s medication to be captured in the National Health Insurance Scheme so that it will help relieve the burden on mothers.”
Florence Atuba, another parent of children with special needs from Navrongo, added, “We are begging you to come to our aid. In that direction, if there are drugs that are beyond our rate, can’t the region support us? So that we can also go out with our kids like normal parents, please, that is all we need from you.”
The Upper East Regional Minister, Stephen Yakubu who graced the medical symposium, promised to help address the issues affecting children with special needs and their parents including getting specialised doctors into the region.
The maiden Bolgatanga Medical Outreach brought together a team of medical doctors, speech therapists, dieticians, and behaviour therapists from Accra and Tamale to engage families of children with neuro-developmental disorders such as autism, cerebral palsy, neuro-developmental delays, etc.
The children were screened and the caregivers were given capacity-building training on how to properly take care of the children. The activity was hosted by Professor Mamudu Akudugu and his wife, Mrs. Katherine K. Millar.
Professor Mamudu Akudugu revealed that his wife, Mrs. Katherine K. Millar is the mastermind behind the outreach. Mrs. Millar’s aim is to help parents with children with special needs considering the region’s lack of specialists.
The outreach was supported by the Millar Open University/Millar Institute for Transdisciplinary Studies, Mission Pediatrics-Accra, Klicks Africa Foundation-Accra, and RISE-Ghana-Bolgatanga.
After months of transporting sick and accident relatives to nearby health facilities through improvised means, the residents of Bolgatanga East constituency in the Upper East Region can now heave a sigh of relief following the repair of the broken ambulance in the area.
The ambulance, which was out of service for several months due to a faulty engine, has finally been fixed thanks to the efforts of Silas Amoah Mathew, the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) parliamentary candidate for the constituency.
Mr. Amoah’s donation of Ghc12, 000 for repair of the ambulance was possible following a news report carried out by A1 Radio’s Joshua Asaah about how emergency healthcare delivery in the area was challenged due to the faulty ambulance. The broken ambulance had caused a lot of concern among the residents, as they were left without a means of emergency medical transportation.
In cases where urgent medical assistance was needed, the residents had to rely on private vehicles or other forms of transportation, including tricycles otherwise known as ‘Can do’ which often resulted in delays and increased risks.
However, the broken-down ambulance that was sent to Kumasi for repairs, was brought back to the Bolgatanga East on Monday 28th August 2023. When the reporter was at the office of the ambulance service in the Bolgatanga East constituency on Tuesday at 10:30 AM to get first-hand information after the vehicle was brought back, a distress call came into the office for emergency service.
The call came from health workers at the Yarigabiisi CHPS compound. It was the first case after the repair of the ambulance. A pregnant woman at the facility was diagnosed with suffering from foetal distress, a condition under which a baby in the womb is not receiving enough oxygen through the placenta. She was immediately transported to the Upper East Regional Hospital for proper care.
Some of the residents at random interviews were excited that the ambulance was on the road again and thanked the young politician for his support to improve healthcare in the constituency.
Akua Abane, a lady from the Yagzoore community who does petty trading at the Zuarungu market square recounted that her sister was put to bed at the family house. Unfortunately, she was bleeding profusely and needed to be taken to the hospital. So, a distress call was made to the ambulance service for emergency care.
“However, because there was no available ambulance in the constituency, it took a long time before an ambulance finally arrived. Sadly, the lady died upon arrival at the regional hospital. But we are happy that our ambulance is back on the road to serve us”
Another woman, Azumah Avooro from Zuarungu who was compelled to be transported to the regional hospital in a tricycle during labour could not hide her joy but Mr. Amoah for his benevolence that is bringing relief to the constituents.
Boniface Ayamga, the Bolgatanga East District Station Officer of the National Ambulance Service said it is expected that emergency health service would be improved in the area.
“The needy, the old ladies in the Bolgatanga East District will be more excited than I am that the vehicle has come back on the road. And we thank Silas Amoah Mathew very much for bringing our vehicle back on the road”, Mr. Ayamga.
He used the opportunity to appeal again for computers from the NPP parliamentary candidate in the area for improved transmission of information.
The School of Physical Sciences at CKT-UTAS has embarked on a ground-breaking groundwater research initiative in a bid to mitigate the adverse effects of climate change and address the long-standing challenge of rainfed farming in the Upper East Region.
This innovative project will help harness the region’s untapped groundwater resources to reduce the dependency on erratic rainfall patterns for agricultural activities, ultimately improving the livelihoods of local farmers.
The region has long been plagued by the unpredictability of rainfall, leading to recurrent droughts and food insecurity. This overreliance on rainfed agriculture has left many farmers vulnerable to the whims of climate change.
The Dean of the School of Physical Sciences at the University, Dr. Jude Simon Bayon who is leading this initiative with the students of the school, made this known to A1 Radio on Monday 28th August 2023.
According to Dr. Jude the research promised to be a game changer as it seeks not only to identify and map underground aquifers but to establish sustainable methods for extracting groundwater.
“Our aim is to provide local farmers with a reliable and sustainable source of water for their agricultural activities. By tapping into these groundwater resources, we can reduce the vulnerability of farmers to climate-related challenges and enhance food security in the Upper East Region.”
He added that the necessary tools needed to carry out such research were available which the students of the department including himself will be leading in such an innovative project.
He therefore stressed that based on their preliminary assessments the region holds a significant untapped groundwater resource, which, if harnessed effectively, could transform agriculture and improve water access for local communities.
