THE Atebubu-Amantin District Assembly, in collaboration with the District Directorate of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA), is to go into rice cultivation this year.
The move is to help the assembly to generate more revenue to finance its development programmes, create jobs for the youth and ensure food security in the district.
The District Chief Executive (DCE), Mr Sanja Nanja, who disclosed this to the Daily Graphic at Atebubu, said the initiative was also to diversify the assembly’s sources of internally generated funds.
According to him, the assembly had over the period depended heavily on the District Assemblies Common Fund (DAFC) and other traditional sources of revenue, which had been inadequate to meet the development needs of the district.
Mr Nanja said it was against this background that the assembly decided to go into rice cultivation to shift from the traditional sources of revenue.
He stated that under the initiative, the assembly had decided to cultivate 100 hectares of rice initially and gradually increase the size.
Mr Nanja added that apart from the rice cultivation, the assembly was working feverishly to come up with other income generating activities to boost its revenue.
He expressed the hope that the venture would also serve as a motivating factor for the youth to go into agriculture.
The DCE stated that with the inclusion of the district in the Savannah Accelerated Development (SADA), farmers in the district stood to benefit.
Mr Nanja said the assembly had made an appeal to SADA to consider irrigating Fakwasi rice fields and also establish a cannery at Konkrompe to assist vegetable farmers in the district to reduce their post-harvest losses drastically.
He said since agriculture has been the main source of employment in the district, the assembly was exploring ways to make it viable and less burdensome for the people.
The DCE stated that the assembly was able to negotiate to reduce the cost of ploughing by tractors from GH¢35 to GH¢25 per acre in the district.
Mr Nanja said the assembly was also constructing a mortuary, general ward and the rehabilitation of nurses’ quarters at the district hospital, as well as renovating an old clinic at Amantin, work on which was at the completion stage.
He said the ward project for the hospital was abandoned since 1998 but had been revived and is receiving the needed attention.
According to him, when the ward was completed, it would reduce the pressure and the overcrowding in the other wards of the hospital.
Friday, April 16, 2010
Thursday, April 15, 2010
BUI RESETTLEMENT PLAN TO GO AHEAD (BACK PAGE, APIL 15, 2010)
THE Bui Power Authority (BPA) has given the assurance that the second and final phase of the resettlement programme for communities affected by the construction of the Bui hydroelectric power project will go on as scheduled.
Communities currently awaiting resettlement include Bui Village, Bator-Akanyakrom , Dokokyina, Bui Camp and the residence of the Game and Wildlife officers protecting the Bui National Park.
In all, 999 persons are expected to be relocated before the end of the year.
Meanwhile, preparatory work for the construction of 170 housing units has been completed.
The Chief Executive Officer of the BPA, Mr Jabesh Amissah-Arthur, who gave the assurance in an interaction at Bui in the Tain District in the Brong Ahafo Region, said his outfit was taking all the necessary steps to ensure a successful resettlement of the four communities before the close of this year as scheduled.
He stated that the BPA intended to carry out the exercise in a well planned manner, adding that the authority was consulting with the affected communities on both their farming cycle and educational calendar to minimise disturbances in the resettlement exercise.
He, therefore, urged the inhabitants of the affected communities to co-operate with the BPA to make their resettlement smooth and peaceful.
The first phase of the resettlement programme resettled 217 people from Brewohodi, Dam Site, Agbegikuro and Lucene to the Jama Resettlement Site in the Bole District of the Northern Region.
Meanwhile, work is progressing steadily at the dam construction site for the start of impoundment of the river next year.
The sod-cutting for the commencement of the Bui power project was done in 2007 and it is due for completion in the second quarter of 2013.
When completed, it is expected to generate 400 megawatts of energy to complement the country’s existing power supply.
In a related development, the chiefs of Bui Village and Akanykrom-Bator, Nana Kwadwo Wuo II and Togbe Kpakpa Akanykrom respectively, have commended the BPA for enhancing the flow of information between the authority and the affected communities.
According to the chiefs, this development would enable the inhabitants of the affected communities to co-operate with the BPA and, for that matter the government to ensure the successful completion of the project and also help remove suspicion and mistrust.
Communities currently awaiting resettlement include Bui Village, Bator-Akanyakrom , Dokokyina, Bui Camp and the residence of the Game and Wildlife officers protecting the Bui National Park.
In all, 999 persons are expected to be relocated before the end of the year.
Meanwhile, preparatory work for the construction of 170 housing units has been completed.
The Chief Executive Officer of the BPA, Mr Jabesh Amissah-Arthur, who gave the assurance in an interaction at Bui in the Tain District in the Brong Ahafo Region, said his outfit was taking all the necessary steps to ensure a successful resettlement of the four communities before the close of this year as scheduled.
He stated that the BPA intended to carry out the exercise in a well planned manner, adding that the authority was consulting with the affected communities on both their farming cycle and educational calendar to minimise disturbances in the resettlement exercise.
He, therefore, urged the inhabitants of the affected communities to co-operate with the BPA to make their resettlement smooth and peaceful.
The first phase of the resettlement programme resettled 217 people from Brewohodi, Dam Site, Agbegikuro and Lucene to the Jama Resettlement Site in the Bole District of the Northern Region.
Meanwhile, work is progressing steadily at the dam construction site for the start of impoundment of the river next year.
The sod-cutting for the commencement of the Bui power project was done in 2007 and it is due for completion in the second quarter of 2013.
When completed, it is expected to generate 400 megawatts of energy to complement the country’s existing power supply.
In a related development, the chiefs of Bui Village and Akanykrom-Bator, Nana Kwadwo Wuo II and Togbe Kpakpa Akanykrom respectively, have commended the BPA for enhancing the flow of information between the authority and the affected communities.
According to the chiefs, this development would enable the inhabitants of the affected communities to co-operate with the BPA and, for that matter the government to ensure the successful completion of the project and also help remove suspicion and mistrust.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
GAA HOLD FIRST CONGRESS APRIL 23...IAAF to sponsor general assembly (GRAPHIC SPORTS, PAGE 13, 2010)
The Ghana Athletics Association will hold its first congress from April 23 to 25 at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium Conference Hall in Kumasi after a constitutional reforms.
He said the congress is being held following the approval of the reviewed constitution of the association by the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF).
The GAA Executive Secretary said based on the approval of the constitution by the IAAF, the international athletics governing body has agreed to financially support the organization of the general assembly, which is the highest decision making body of the GAA.
Mr. Agyei stated further that the positions which are to be contested for at the congress are the Executive Chairman, Executive Vice- Chairman, Organizing Secretary and Treasurer while other members would also be co-opted to form the various committees of the association.
He explained that with the coming into force of the new constitution of the GAA, apart from the position of the Executive Secretary, which is a permanent one and non-electable, the rest of the positions are to be contested for at the congress.
This, according to the GAA scribe, the designation of the General Secretary before the coming into force of the new constitution had been changed to Executive Secretary, adding that the new constitution of the GAA is to eliminate all forms of interference in the selection of the Executive Council of the association.
Mr. Agyei said each region would select two people to represent them at the congress while the GES, Ghana University Sports Association (GUSA), Ghana Polytechnic Sports Association (GHAPSA), Local Athletics Association, Foreign Athletics Association, National Athletics Coaches Association and the Security Services would also present two delegates each at the congress bringing the total number of delegates to 36.
He said the congress is being held following the approval of the reviewed constitution of the association by the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF).
The GAA Executive Secretary said based on the approval of the constitution by the IAAF, the international athletics governing body has agreed to financially support the organization of the general assembly, which is the highest decision making body of the GAA.
Mr. Agyei stated further that the positions which are to be contested for at the congress are the Executive Chairman, Executive Vice- Chairman, Organizing Secretary and Treasurer while other members would also be co-opted to form the various committees of the association.
He explained that with the coming into force of the new constitution of the GAA, apart from the position of the Executive Secretary, which is a permanent one and non-electable, the rest of the positions are to be contested for at the congress.
This, according to the GAA scribe, the designation of the General Secretary before the coming into force of the new constitution had been changed to Executive Secretary, adding that the new constitution of the GAA is to eliminate all forms of interference in the selection of the Executive Council of the association.
Mr. Agyei said each region would select two people to represent them at the congress while the GES, Ghana University Sports Association (GUSA), Ghana Polytechnic Sports Association (GHAPSA), Local Athletics Association, Foreign Athletics Association, National Athletics Coaches Association and the Security Services would also present two delegates each at the congress bringing the total number of delegates to 36.
DROBO BANK DONATES TO COURT (PAGE 21, APRIL 13, 2010)
THE Drobo Community Bank Limited has donated a computer and accessories valued at GH¢1,250 to the Jaman South District Magistrate’s Court at Drobo in the Brong Ahafo Region.
Making the presentation, the chairman of the Board of Directors of the bank, Mr Timothy Kwabena Obeng, stated that the donation was in line with the bank’s social responsibility and also in recognition of the court’s role in enhancing justice delivery and maintenance of peace and order within the community.
He expressed the hope that the computer would go a long way to enhance administrative work at the court.
Receiving the computer on behalf of the court, the Registrar, Mr Gabriel Kofi Kyereme, expressed the court’s appreciation to the bank for the gesture.
He gave the assurance that the court would take good care of the computer and appealed to other organisations to emulate the example of the bank.
Making the presentation, the chairman of the Board of Directors of the bank, Mr Timothy Kwabena Obeng, stated that the donation was in line with the bank’s social responsibility and also in recognition of the court’s role in enhancing justice delivery and maintenance of peace and order within the community.
He expressed the hope that the computer would go a long way to enhance administrative work at the court.
Receiving the computer on behalf of the court, the Registrar, Mr Gabriel Kofi Kyereme, expressed the court’s appreciation to the bank for the gesture.
He gave the assurance that the court would take good care of the computer and appealed to other organisations to emulate the example of the bank.
Sunday, April 11, 2010
SENIOR ATHLETICS CHAMPIONSHIP APRIL 22 (PAGE 31, APRIL 10, 2010))
The Second Elite Youth, junior and Selected Senior Athletics Championship is billed to take place at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi from April 22 to 25.
The championship is aimed at selecting a formidable national team for the Youth Olympics Athletics qualifier for the Under-17 category to be held in Dakar, Senegal, on May 17, this year. It will also select a squad for the West Africa Junior championship for the Under-19 category scheduled to take place in Bamako, Mali, this year and the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) senior championship in Nairobi, Kenya from July 28 to August 1, also in the year.
The championship is being organised by the Ghana Athletics Association (GAA) in collaboration with the National Sports Council (NSC), Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Ministry of Education.
Mr George Osafo Agyei, the Executive Secretary of the GAA, who disclosed this in an interaction with Daily Graphic in Accra said the best athletes from all over the country from the youth, junior and senior categories had been invited to participate in the championship.
He said two officials, of which one should be from the Ghana Education Service (GES), had been invited to accompany the teams from the 10 regions to the championship, which he described to be a thriller and also to produce a formidable team to represent the country at the above mentioned championships.
Mr Agyei stated further that in order not to select over aged athletes, the GAA have requested all participating athletes to come along with photocopies of their birth certificates for verification.
The executive secretary of the GAA reiterated the call on corporate bodies and individuals to consider sponsoring activities of the association since it also had the potential to produce national champions at the continental and world stages to make the nation proud and popular.
Mr Albert Nukpezah, the Athletics Chief Coach, for his part, called for some level of attention for athletics in the country to help unearth talents and also put the nation on the continental and world levels of athletics.
The championship is aimed at selecting a formidable national team for the Youth Olympics Athletics qualifier for the Under-17 category to be held in Dakar, Senegal, on May 17, this year. It will also select a squad for the West Africa Junior championship for the Under-19 category scheduled to take place in Bamako, Mali, this year and the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) senior championship in Nairobi, Kenya from July 28 to August 1, also in the year.
The championship is being organised by the Ghana Athletics Association (GAA) in collaboration with the National Sports Council (NSC), Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Ministry of Education.
Mr George Osafo Agyei, the Executive Secretary of the GAA, who disclosed this in an interaction with Daily Graphic in Accra said the best athletes from all over the country from the youth, junior and senior categories had been invited to participate in the championship.
He said two officials, of which one should be from the Ghana Education Service (GES), had been invited to accompany the teams from the 10 regions to the championship, which he described to be a thriller and also to produce a formidable team to represent the country at the above mentioned championships.
Mr Agyei stated further that in order not to select over aged athletes, the GAA have requested all participating athletes to come along with photocopies of their birth certificates for verification.
The executive secretary of the GAA reiterated the call on corporate bodies and individuals to consider sponsoring activities of the association since it also had the potential to produce national champions at the continental and world stages to make the nation proud and popular.
Mr Albert Nukpezah, the Athletics Chief Coach, for his part, called for some level of attention for athletics in the country to help unearth talents and also put the nation on the continental and world levels of athletics.
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
ATEBUBU-AMANTIN EXPANDS SCHOOL INFRASTRUCTURE (PAGE 11, APRIL 7 2010)
THE Atebubu-Amantin District Assembly in the Brong Ahafo Region has decided to pursue the government’s target of reducing schools under trees to the barest minimum if not completely, as well as pupils who sit on stones and kitchen stools to learn in the district.
Consequently, the assembly has decided to continue the vigorous expansion of school infrastructure and also renovate dilapidated school buildings and construct new ones as a priority, this year.
The assembly also gave the assurance to continue with vacation classes for pupils and students and the super district mock examination for final year junior high school (JHS) students in order to lift the standard of education in the district.
Again, the assembly has plans to connect 40 per cent of all JHSs in the Amantin and Atebubu township to the national grid this year to enable students to embark on evening classes.
Mr Sanja Nanja, the Atebubu-Amantin District Chief Executive (DCE) said this at the first ordinary meeting of the assembly at Atebubu.
He said the assembly and the Ghana Education Service (GES), working in collaboration with other development partners, had within the period expanded school infrastructure such as three-unit classroom blocks under the Community-based Rural Development Project (CBRDP) at Ahotor, Beposo and Atebubu Roman Catholic (R/C) JHS. These projects, he said are 60 per cent completed
Mr Nanja said three-unit classroom pavilions were under construction at Bompa, Seneso and Bolga village which are also 90 per cent completed and will be inaugurated very soon for use by the beneficiary schools.
In addition, the Atebubu-Amantin DCE said the assembly had supported 74 trainee teachers financially to the tune of GH¢5,050.00, while the assembly in collaboration with the government had provided more teaching and learning materials to schools and teachers.
He stated that the district also benefited from 25,329 exercise books under the government’s free exercise book policy and organised vacation classes for all final year JHS students as well as a super district mock examination to the tune of GH¢10,000.00.
Mr Nanja therefore expressed the hope that the students would comport themselves in the examination hall to ensure their success at the examination.
He noted that the assembly was also reviewing and streamlining the operation of its educational sponsorship scheme in order not to lose value for money.
Subsequently, the assembly had set up a committee to advice on the selection of beneficiaries and other modalities of the scheme while the Education Endowment Fund would be launched in September, this year.
Consequently, the assembly has decided to continue the vigorous expansion of school infrastructure and also renovate dilapidated school buildings and construct new ones as a priority, this year.
The assembly also gave the assurance to continue with vacation classes for pupils and students and the super district mock examination for final year junior high school (JHS) students in order to lift the standard of education in the district.
Again, the assembly has plans to connect 40 per cent of all JHSs in the Amantin and Atebubu township to the national grid this year to enable students to embark on evening classes.
Mr Sanja Nanja, the Atebubu-Amantin District Chief Executive (DCE) said this at the first ordinary meeting of the assembly at Atebubu.
He said the assembly and the Ghana Education Service (GES), working in collaboration with other development partners, had within the period expanded school infrastructure such as three-unit classroom blocks under the Community-based Rural Development Project (CBRDP) at Ahotor, Beposo and Atebubu Roman Catholic (R/C) JHS. These projects, he said are 60 per cent completed
Mr Nanja said three-unit classroom pavilions were under construction at Bompa, Seneso and Bolga village which are also 90 per cent completed and will be inaugurated very soon for use by the beneficiary schools.
In addition, the Atebubu-Amantin DCE said the assembly had supported 74 trainee teachers financially to the tune of GH¢5,050.00, while the assembly in collaboration with the government had provided more teaching and learning materials to schools and teachers.
He stated that the district also benefited from 25,329 exercise books under the government’s free exercise book policy and organised vacation classes for all final year JHS students as well as a super district mock examination to the tune of GH¢10,000.00.
Mr Nanja therefore expressed the hope that the students would comport themselves in the examination hall to ensure their success at the examination.
He noted that the assembly was also reviewing and streamlining the operation of its educational sponsorship scheme in order not to lose value for money.
Subsequently, the assembly had set up a committee to advice on the selection of beneficiaries and other modalities of the scheme while the Education Endowment Fund would be launched in September, this year.
ATEBUBU-AMANTIN EXPANDS SCHOOL INFRASTRUCTURE (PAGE 11, APRIL 7 2010)
THE Atebubu-Amantin District Assembly in the Brong Ahafo Region has decided to pursue the government’s target of reducing schools under trees to the barest minimum if not completely, as well as pupils who sit on stones and kitchen stools to learn in the district.
Consequently, the assembly has decided to continue the vigorous expansion of school infrastructure and also renovate dilapidated school buildings and construct new ones as a priority, this year.
The assembly also gave the assurance to continue with vacation classes for pupils and students and the super district mock examination for final year junior high school (JHS) students in order to lift the standard of education in the district.
Again, the assembly has plans to connect 40 per cent of all JHSs in the Amantin and Atebubu township to the national grid this year to enable students to embark on evening classes.
Mr Sanja Nanja, the Atebubu-Amantin District Chief Executive (DCE) said this at the first ordinary meeting of the assembly at Atebubu.
He said the assembly and the Ghana Education Service (GES), working in collaboration with other development partners, had within the period expanded school infrastructure such as three-unit classroom blocks under the Community-based Rural Development Project (CBRDP) at Ahotor, Beposo and Atebubu Roman Catholic (R/C) JHS. These projects, he said are 60 per cent completed
Mr Nanja said three-unit classroom pavilions were under construction at Bompa, Seneso and Bolga village which are also 90 per cent completed and will be inaugurated very soon for use by the beneficiary schools.
In addition, the Atebubu-Amantin DCE said the assembly had supported 74 trainee teachers financially to the tune of GH¢5,050.00, while the assembly in collaboration with the government had provided more teaching and learning materials to schools and teachers.
He stated that the district also benefited from 25,329 exercise books under the government’s free exercise book policy and organised vacation classes for all final year JHS students as well as a super district mock examination to the tune of GH¢10,000.00.
Mr Nanja therefore expressed the hope that the students would comport themselves in the examination hall to ensure their success at the examination.
He noted that the assembly was also reviewing and streamlining the operation of its educational sponsorship scheme in order not to lose value for money.
Subsequently, the assembly had set up a committee to advice on the selection of beneficiaries and other modalities of the scheme while the Education Endowment Fund would be launched in September, this year.
Consequently, the assembly has decided to continue the vigorous expansion of school infrastructure and also renovate dilapidated school buildings and construct new ones as a priority, this year.
The assembly also gave the assurance to continue with vacation classes for pupils and students and the super district mock examination for final year junior high school (JHS) students in order to lift the standard of education in the district.
Again, the assembly has plans to connect 40 per cent of all JHSs in the Amantin and Atebubu township to the national grid this year to enable students to embark on evening classes.
Mr Sanja Nanja, the Atebubu-Amantin District Chief Executive (DCE) said this at the first ordinary meeting of the assembly at Atebubu.
He said the assembly and the Ghana Education Service (GES), working in collaboration with other development partners, had within the period expanded school infrastructure such as three-unit classroom blocks under the Community-based Rural Development Project (CBRDP) at Ahotor, Beposo and Atebubu Roman Catholic (R/C) JHS. These projects, he said are 60 per cent completed
Mr Nanja said three-unit classroom pavilions were under construction at Bompa, Seneso and Bolga village which are also 90 per cent completed and will be inaugurated very soon for use by the beneficiary schools.
In addition, the Atebubu-Amantin DCE said the assembly had supported 74 trainee teachers financially to the tune of GH¢5,050.00, while the assembly in collaboration with the government had provided more teaching and learning materials to schools and teachers.
He stated that the district also benefited from 25,329 exercise books under the government’s free exercise book policy and organised vacation classes for all final year JHS students as well as a super district mock examination to the tune of GH¢10,000.00.
Mr Nanja therefore expressed the hope that the students would comport themselves in the examination hall to ensure their success at the examination.
He noted that the assembly was also reviewing and streamlining the operation of its educational sponsorship scheme in order not to lose value for money.
Subsequently, the assembly had set up a committee to advice on the selection of beneficiaries and other modalities of the scheme while the Education Endowment Fund would be launched in September, this year.
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
MP DONATES TO NDC FOOT SOLDIERS (PAGE 15, APRIL 6, 2010)
THE Member of Parliament (MP) for Pru in the Brong Ahafo Region, Alhaji Masoud Baba Abdul-Rahman, has donated 100 bicycles, 100 mobiles phones, 20 sets of jerseys, 10 footballs and 100 Wellington boots worth over GH¢30,000 to the party’s foot soldiers in the constituency.
According to the MP, the donation was to motivate them to work hard to ensure the retention of the party in power in the 2012 general election.
Making the presentation at a brief ceremony at Yeji, the constituency capital, Alhaji Abdul-Rahman said the gesture was also to prepare the party’s campaign machinery in the constituency, adding that the donation would motivate the foot soldiers to go all out.
He said although the party was anxious to retain power in the 2012 general election, all efforts must be made to get the foot soldiers on whose wings the party rode to power to intensify their campaign at the grass root level.
The Pru Constituency NDC Chairman, Alhaji Abdul Mumuni Musah, who received the items on behalf of the foot soldiers, thanked the MP for the gesture and expressed the hope that they would go a long way to motivate them to work harder than before.
According to the MP, the donation was to motivate them to work hard to ensure the retention of the party in power in the 2012 general election.
Making the presentation at a brief ceremony at Yeji, the constituency capital, Alhaji Abdul-Rahman said the gesture was also to prepare the party’s campaign machinery in the constituency, adding that the donation would motivate the foot soldiers to go all out.
He said although the party was anxious to retain power in the 2012 general election, all efforts must be made to get the foot soldiers on whose wings the party rode to power to intensify their campaign at the grass root level.
The Pru Constituency NDC Chairman, Alhaji Abdul Mumuni Musah, who received the items on behalf of the foot soldiers, thanked the MP for the gesture and expressed the hope that they would go a long way to motivate them to work harder than before.
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