Ato Arthur interacts with JHS finalists

The Member of Parliament for KEEA Stephen Nana Ato Arthur (Dr) has visited about 50 Junior High Schools (JHS) out of 75 in his constituency to interact with the final year students and offer support and also encourage them in their impending examination.

The visit was also to see how the weekend classes he initiated for the various schools in the communities for the final year JHS students was progressing and also assured them that the entire constituency was behind them as they sit for their first  major exams of their lives.

According  to Hon, Dr  Ato  Arthur he challenged the  students to come out with good grades since he was  always ready to give out scholarship to any students  who would gain admission into the second cycle schools.

He added that since children would be the future leaders of the country, greater part of the constituency’s development fund would be devoted to improve their education.

Hon Dr. Ato Arthur further urged them to put their trust in God and concentrate on the syllabus from which questions for the examination will be based on.

He also asked them to comport themselves by obeying the invigilators and avoid examination malpractices, which could attract punitive measures from the examining body, which could mar their future efforts to climb the academic ladder.

Education Ministry to award best schools

Education Minister

The Ministry of Education has decided to award and recognise outstanding schools as part of its annual Best Teacher Awards.

The new award category, according to the Minister of Education, Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, will not only recognise academic performance, but will also take into consideration variables such as the school’s environment, sanitation and staff.

The Minister announced this at the meet the press session in Accra Tuesday. The Best Teacher Award which is in its 20th year aims at rewarding the efforts of teachers and encouraging others to do same.

Prof Opoku-Agyemang described the programme as successful irrespective of the challenges that have confronted it.

She said, “Our proposal now is to expand this category to include awards for best schools. We will look at variables to include school environment, sanitation, teacher attendance, relation among the community, heads, teachers, non-teaching staff, students and of course the academic output also.”

She further explained that the award scheme will be structured in a manner that will not only acknowledge one particular school as the best, rather, the schools will be grouped into categories as a means of enhancing quality delivery.

According to Prof Opoku-Agyemang, the Ministry of Education provided capitation grant amounting to GH¢24,472,840 for 5,751,198 pupils in public basic schools for the 2012/13 academic year.

She said the ministry also subsidised the registration of BECE candidates to the tune of GH¢9,031,238.

Prof Opoku-Agyemang noted that the ministry would progressively implement the free senior high school education policy.  She said the ministry has drafted a roadmap to be presented to cabinet for approval.

“Under the guidance of the proposed roadmap we anticipate that fees for day students will be abolished at an estimated cost of GH¢71 million in the year of implementation. Other reliefs in respect of boarding students will be announced when the roadmap is finalised,” she said.

Prof Opoku-Agyemang mentioned that contracts have been signed for the 50 community schools which will be supported by government and the GETFund. She said another 23 new senior high schools which is expected to enrol about 15,000 students upon completion, would be supported by the World Bank.

She said as part of the programme, the ministry would also improve 50 senior high schools through expansion and rehabilitation of existing structures and facilities such as science and computer laboratories and libraries to increase enrolment.

According to Prof Opoku-Agyemang, the ministry last year established a monthly union forum to create an atmosphere for all issues agitating the teacher unions to be discussed.

She said the forum was made up of personnel from the Ghana Education Service, the National Council for Tertiary Education, the Ministry of Finance, the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission, the Public Services Commission as well as the Controller and Accountant General’s Department.

According to her, at the forum, a proposal was made that the unions forego their unpaid arrears as a result of the introduction of the Single Spine Salary Structure but it was rejected by the unions.

She therefore, noted that arrears have paid for 2012 and 2013 while those of 2010 and 2011 remain outstanding.

She said the Fair wages and Salaries Commission is therefore, expected to liaise with the Accountant General’s Department to determine the total cost involved.

Ga South gets municipal court

The Ga South Municipal Assembly now has a  court to make justice delivery more accessible. Located at Weija, the court is also to remove the barrier of distance which impacts on justice delivery, as well as reduces the time spent on delivering justice.

The assembly provided the facilities for the establishment of the district court, which is expected to bring justice on the doorstep of the people.

At the inauguration ceremony at Weija yesterday, Justice Naa Adoley Azu, Justice of the High Court, said a number of factors had militated against the effective operations of the courts and the administration of justice, a situation which had impacted and influenced the justice delivery process in the country.

She mentioned the lack of court houses, the deplorable state of the physical infrastructure housing some of the existing courts and the obsolete equipment and technology which had long been employed in delivering justice.

According to her, the Judicial Service had, for many years, experienced extreme shortage of accommodation (both court and residential) and inadequate supply of facilities to perform its functions.

She said even though it was the responsibility of the service to provide an enabling environment to create a legal and judicial system that promoted the rule of law, transparency and speedy administration of justice, the metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies (MMDAs) were responsible for providing court houses and residential accommodation for magistrates, something they had found difficult to comply with.

Justice Azu indicated that the Chief Justice had instituted measures to address the challenges confronting the service to improve efficiency and enrich the adjudication process.

She said those included massive court automation, computerisation and the use of state-of-the-art equipment in order to reconcile the justice sector with current technological developments and best practices in the administration of justice.

She said the creation and the inauguration of the Weija District Court formed part of the prioritised reform initiatives of the service and commended the assembly for providing the facilities for the establishment of the court.

She reminded judges and other officials manning the courts to exhibit a high level of professionalism in the discharge of their duties to protect and maintain the good image of the Judicial Service and avoid acts that would bring the administration of justice into disrepute.

The Ga South Municipal Chief Executive, Mr Jerry Akwei Thompson, said the opening of the court in the municipality was timely and appropriate because of the role it was expected to play in checking the numerous disputes, the menace of lands guards, illegal sand winning, noise making and the general lack of discipline and respect for environmental sanitation in the municipality.

He said due to misconceptions about the role of the MMDAs, some people did not appreciate what they were offered and asked the people to study the relevant provisions in their legislation and abide by those rules, so that should they breach any of the provisions and brought before the court, they would not accuse the assembly of witch hunting.

He advised traditional authorities and the people trying to cause mayhem in the communities because of some disagreements over chieftaincy issues to avail themselves of the court to settle issues, instead of resorting to violence, which sometimes resulted in loss of lives and property.

Mr Thompson urged the Judiciary to deal drastically with people such as land guards who were becoming a major threat to peace in the municipality and advised people who used the services of land guards to desist from those activities, since those who would be caught would not be spared.

Forestry Commission to strengthen response team

The Forestry Commission says it is increasing the number of people in the Rapid Response Team of the Commission.

Attacks on rangers of the Commission by criminals led to the commission setting up a specialist rapid response team to provide extra support to rangers on the ground and investigate attacks and murders.

Addressing the media yesterday at a media launch of the third forestry week and greening Ghana Day celebration, the Chief Executive of the Commission Dr. Samuel Afari Dartey said the move has become necessary due to increasing attacks on the rangers.

“We are increasing the numerical strength of our rapid response team and enhance their logistics to enable them to effectively combat these criminals,” Dr. Afari said

He also pledged the Commission’s commitment to protecting the country’s valuable resources saying: “although we dread these losses, both human and forests, I wish to assure the perpetrators of these heinous crimes of our resolve in our commitment to continue to sacrifice to protect these valuable resources.”

He also stated that the Commission has trained a cadre of staff to assist public prosecutors to more effectively and expeditiously dispose off forest and wildlife offences.

“We have also embarked on plantation development to meet the gap and the demand of forest products.

“We can only celebrate the forest for sustainable development when we secure their sustainability even as we utilize them for national development,”he said

Assembly invests over Ghc 8m in development projects

The Atwima-Mponua District Assembly has within the last four years invested more than Ghc8.8 million in development projects across the district.

These include the construction of school blocks, health and sanitation facilities, the extension of electricity, roads, office and staff accommodation and the supply of school furniture.

In all, there are 93 projects, and many of these are already completed with construction works on-going on others.
 

Speaking to Ghanadistricts.com, Mr. Stephen Yeboah, the District Chief Executive  said education had been the number one priority and, therefore, received greater percentage of the development funding.

He said the district was doing everything to improve classroom infrastructure to create the right environment for effective teaching and learning and that the district has two senior high schools (SHS), 73 junior high schools (JHS), 119 primary schools, 120 kindergartens and 20 private schools.

He said the assembly was determined to promote not only access to education, but the quality to raise performance of the pupils and students.

Mr. Yeboah said the assembly was working hard to mobilize resources to complete every single project started to transform the living conditions of the population.

All is well in Gushegu township

The District Chief Executive of Gushegu, Alhassan Fuseini has confirmed the existence of minor skirmishes in the Gushegu township, but insists the situation was under control.

Three people on Tuesday were reported to have lost their lives with several houses burnt as a result of the ongoing strife between the Yiyamba and Berimba communities in the Gushegu district of the Northern Region.region.

Two other people purported to be responding to treatment at the Gushegu Government Hospital with a third person currently in critical condition.

Speaking to ghanadistricts.com, the DCE of Gushegu, Hon. Fuseini revealed that “Gushegu has had its problems since 2008 since the last administration, we came and then made it normal. This has erupted mainly as a [result of a] parcel of land, and this happens in every district in this part of the country”

He also added that, this development was nothing to worry about and that despite the tension in the area elections are often held there without any hindrance.

meanwhile, The Northern Regional Police Public Relations Officer (PRO) ASP Ebenezer Tetteh has also affirmed the ongoing strife and revealed they were as a result of long standing chieftaincy disputes in the area.

Regional Minister presents laptops to nine SHS in Accra

The greater Accra Regional MInister, Nii Laryea Afotey Agbo, has presented 460 laptops to nine Senior High Schools (SHS) in the Greater-Accra Region.

The presentation which formed part of the Better Ghana Agenda ICT Project by the Ministry of the Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, is to enhance the teaching and learning of ICT in the schools, and to also enable the students acquire basic ICT knowledge before they come out of school.

Eight out of the nine beneficiary schools included KASLIN SHS, KAS SHS, Deyoungster’s International School, Jubilee SHS, The Master School, Perfect SHS, First Afternoon SHS and Vitac SHS received 50 computers each while Anmchara SHS received 60 computers.

Nii Agbo said government was keen on providing the necessary logistics and infrastructure for students to enable them develop their potentials for the benefit of the country.

He said ‘in addition to providing infrastructure, government has also made certain interventions, including, the distribution of free school uniforms and exercise books, the introductio

Nii Agbo said the world has become a global village and it is important to ensure that every Ghanaian receives quality Information and Communication Technology education, to make the nation’s human resource competitive on the global market.

“In our quest to become a fully-fledged middle income nation, in the not-too-distant future, the need to develop our human capital cannot be under-estimated. It is an established fact that the key to human capital is knowledge.”

He called on the students to make good use of the computers and other resources at their disposal.

He also appealed to the teachers and school authorities to try as much as possible to complement the efforts of government and use the computers for their intended purpose, as well as ensure that they are properly maintained to serve the present and future generation of students.

n of Teacher Retention Premium, and an increase in the number of schools benefiting from the School Feeding Programme, to make quality education not only accessible, but affordable to all’.

Keep to globally accepted safety standards

The Parliamentary of Parliament for Yapei/Kusawgu and also a chairman of Select Committee on Lands and Forestry has asked mining companies to do everything to ensure that their operations conform to internationally accepted safety standards.

They should not only take measures to prevent accidents, but go to every length to safeguard the environment.

This was when members of the committee, led by its Chairman, Mr. Amadu Seidu, paid an official visit to the Chirano Gold Mines at Chirano in the Bibiani-Anhwiaso-Bekwai District.

The legislators were there to acquaint themselves with its operations and the challenges.

Mr. Seidu asked the management to put premium on the reclamation of mined and degraded lands to restore the vegetative cover.

He also reminded the mine to live up to its corporate social responsibility, adding that, it should assist provide jobs for the people in the local communities and to train them in vocations and trades to give them alternative livelihoods.

He said that was necessary to reduce the tension that often existed between the mining companies and the local population.

They shouldn’t have stopped me

Comedian, Lilwin, has always been well received anytime he mounted the stage to perform and loud applause ushers him off stage when he is done with his act.

But last Saturday maybe one of his most embarassing moments when he was forced to leave the stage before he was through with what he had planned to do at the fourth Ghana Meets Naija concert hosted at the Accra International Conference Centre.

During Lil Win’s comedy act at the event, he announced that he was in possession of marijuana which he said was the best medicine to cure headache and other ailments. But before he could explain further,  Lil Win was interrupted by  D.J Black and the former who was obviously not too happy.

Lil Win who has received a lot of bashing for putting up such an act has explained to Graphic Showbiz, that his act was about the disastrous effects of substance abuse and not to glory drugs. 

“What I had in the plastic bag was not wee but rather talcum powder, pepper and leaves. I mentioned “wee” because I wanted to explain to the audience the dangers of using drugs. There is no way I would stand on such a big platform to promote “wee”.

“ For Christ sake, I am a MTN Ambassador who has a lot of followers and that alone should tell anyone I wasn’t there to promote “wee”. It is unfortunate but maybe, I didn’t get the  introduction to the subject right. I will never promote substance use.

“I don’t use drugs but I worry about the young folks who do so and I thought as a role model, it was my duty to educate them on such issues when I get the opportunity. And the Ghana Meets Naija was a good platform to do just that. It is unfortunate the organisers thought I was promoting “wee”,”  Lil Win explained.

According to the actor, never has he promoted the use of “wee” in his movies not to talk about promoting it on such a huge platform.

He said had the organisers been a little patient with him,  everyone would have known the good message he was trying to drive home.

Asked why he did not communicate to the organisers before coming on stage, Lil Win explained the act was arranged between him and musician, Guru.

Lil Win says he is sorry for the mishap and that

had no intention to promote drug use many are speculating.

Let’s unite for a better society – Bishop

The Right Reverend Professor Osei Safo-Kantanka, Methodist Bishop of Kumasi, has rallied Ghanaians to pull together to turn the faltering economy around.

He said they need to rely on their creative ability given to them by their creator to fix the difficulties and transform the economic situation.

The Rt. Rev. Prof. Safo-Kantanka, who was performing the ceremony to unveil a plaque on a manse built by the Walterworth Memorial Methodist Society at Mpasatia in the Atwima-Mponua District, urged an end to what he labeled, “the overly politicization of almost every national issue”.

That, he said, was unhealthy and counter-productive to development.

He underlined the need for a “master plan” or a blueprint for the nation’s development, which all must work up to.

The Rt. Rev. Prof Safo-Kantanka criticized the situation where some people simply chose to stand on the sidelines, satisfied either in complacency or cynicism, saying, “all hands should be on deck”.

He again called for greater collaboration between the state and the church to bring progress to the people.

The Very Rev. Christopher Nyarko Andam, Synod Secretary of the Kumasi Diocesan Methodist Church, hailed the contribution of the Walterworth Memorial Society to the growth of Methodism and the spread of the gospel.

It has produced a number of reverend ministers, evangelists, catechists and stewards for the church over the past 100 years.

He said since its upgrading into a Circuit, it had assisted in the planting of more churches and winning converts, and asked the society to sustain its evangelization drive.

The Very Rev. Samuel Asante Nnuro, the Circuit Superintendent, gave a brief history of the project and said the construction works started two years ago.

The Ghc1.5 million manse is now about 98 per cent complete.

Death Threats Won’t Stop Me – Kofi B

Highlife musician Kofi B says the threats on his life over his campaign for fairness, transparency and equity in the distribution of royalties by the Ghana Music Rights Organization (GHAMRO) will not stop him from making sure the organization does the right thing.

Kofi Boakye Yiadom, as he was named, is one of the strong voices among other musicians calling on the interim Chairman of GHAMRO,, Carlos Sekyi, and his team to account for royalties they collected on their behalf and to also explain why the board was still in office when the organization's constitution allowed him to remain in office for a maximum of two years – which elapsed in May 2013.

“Tweeaa!!! These death threats will not stop me from making sure that Carlos Sekyi and the entire GHAMRO board render accounts to musicians in Ghana. I’m going to be louder than before on this issue,” I’m going to be louder than before on this issue,”.

Kofi B said he had reported the incident to the police and they have promised to look into the issue.

Kofi B received calls over the weekend from unknown persons threatening him to stay away from GHAMRO issues or he would be murdered like Fennec Okyere.

Reports said GHAMRO executives have scheduled to hold elections around July, but Kofi B said, “that election won’t work. The interim GHAMRO board has not rendered accounts on the monies it has collected for the past three years. How can they hold elections?”

“The law does not permit Carlos Sekyi and his team to hold the GHAMRO position for more than two years but as it stands now, they are in their third year. We don’t need him there,” he added.

Carlos Sekyi has however remained adamant. Though an official request from the Attorney General through the Copyright Office has been made to GHAMRO, it has not rendered accounts of the monies it collected and how they were spent.

EKUMFI Rest stop to boost economic activities-DCE

Chief Executive of the Ekumfi District in the central Region, I.K Dawson is to take advantage of the completion of a rest stop at Ekumfi Eyisam to boost economic activities in that area.
 

Mr. Dawson is to set up a vegetable market close to the rest stop to enhance the sale of vegetables and other foodstuffs which would be targeted at travelers.
 

He said the necessary measures have been taken to ensure actualization of the project. "The project has already been advertised and soon the contract would be awarded for the commencement of the project", stated.
 

"This is one of the measures already in place to actualize the economic development the president has tasked us to focus on". Mr. Dawson noted that being one of the newly created districts, they have to start from the scratch since they cannot even boost of any vibrant market or business.
 

The actual structure for the rest stop constructed by CEDECOM has been completed and currently contractors are working on the landscape after which it would be opened to the travelling public.

ATIWA:Communities urged to form neighbourhood watch c’tee

Atiwa District Police Commander, District Superintendent of Police (DSP) Jeffery Darko, has   advocated the formation of community neighbourhood watch committees to support the police in combating crime.
   
He said the District Police Command would assist any community ready to form such committees, in the screening and training of prospective members.
  
DSP Darko made the call at Kwabeng, at the third ordinary meeting of the Assembly.

He educated Assembly Members on the need to support the police to boost security in the area, in view of the insufficient number of police and the upsurge of criminal activities.
   
He appealed to traditional rulers and the district assembly to collaborate with the police to open police stations at the various communities within the district.
   
DSP Darko in an interview with Ghanadistricts.com said the police in the district is overwhelmed with some social challenges as teenage pregnancy, defilement, rape, drug-abuse, domestic violence against women and children, illegal chainsaw operations, Illegal Mining gambling and petty stealing thereby urging the people to volunteer to assist the police in information to enable them fight crime effectively.
   
He advised parents to be interested in their children’s education particularly the girl-child to enable them acquire skills and knowledge needed for national development.
   
DSP Jeffery Darko,also appealed to the youth to register with the National Youth Employment Programme and to refrain from acts that could bring them in conflict with the law.

K.E.E.A MP moves to reshape roads in communities

The Member of Parliament for Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abriem, Dr. Stephen Nana Ato Arthur is spear heading selected road projects in his constituency, which includes Ayensudu Junction, Adjeikrom –Abrehyia, and Prison-Ntranoa.

The deplorable nature of the roads has made transportation of goods and services to market centres very difficult thus affecting economic activities.

The MP interacting with Ghanamps.gov.gh, indicated that most people in the constituency were predominantly farmers, for that matter it was important to assist them to get good roads to transport their produce.
 
He noted that the road project would continue till every community within the constituency gets motorable roads for easy transportation. 

He  stressed that equity and fair distribution of resources would characterize the four –years mandate entrusted to him, however assured the members of the constituency who were not members of his party not to feel uncomfortable in approaching him for any advice as he was committed to opening his door to all and sundry.
 

He therefore added that he will seek the welfare of all constituents and promote the development of the consistency to better the lots of the people in the area.

Hon. Asiamah donates building materials.

The  Member of Parliament (MP) for Atwima Mponua, Hon Isaac K Asiamah has presented building materials valued  Ghc 150,000 to support a number of development projects in the constituency.

The items include of 100 bags of cement and 50 packets of roofing sheets.  They were purchased with funds from the MP’s share of GETFund.

Mr. Asiamah said a number of the schools have not seen any rehabilitation for a long time so his donations came as a relief to the schools.

Speaking to Ghanamps.gov.gh,  Hon.  Asiamah said, the purpose to place premium on education was premised on the fact that education was the cornerstone of development of the community. He pledged to continue to support educational institutions as a way of improving standards of education in the constituency.

Mr. Isaac Asiamah said, as an MP his duty is to see to the improvement in the lives of his constituents, a task he was very committed to achieving.

Mr  Asiamah also stated that he would not relent in executing more developmental projects in the area, adding that all would be done devoid of any parochial political interest.

Hon Isaac K. Asiamiah stated that there is more to do to raise the standard of living of the people and he also called for unity in the constituency to achieve the set target.

KEEA MP Donates building materials to communities

The Member of Parliament for Komenda-Edina- Eguafo-Abriem, Stephen Nana Ato Arthur has donated  bags of cement to some selected school and churches in his constituency.
The 500 bags of cement were distributed to the various institutions based on their needs.
 

Among the beneficiaries include the Abream Saaman Primary School, Komenda College of Education, Abream  Breasa Catholic church and Musama Disco Christo Church.  

The MP who was also a former Central Regional Minister noted that most of the beneficiaries are putting up new buildings and the cement is to ensure speedy completion of the structures. The rest are however renovating existing blocks to make the school blocks safer for students.
 

According to him, educational infrastructure has been identified as one of the challenges confronting the sector and all stakeholders must be concerned to finding lasting solution it. He indicated that he is motivated that good classroom blocks will provide conducive environment for serious teaching an learning to take place. 
 

Mr Arthur also pledged his commitment to collaborate with all stakeholders in diverse ways to developing education in the area as a way of developing better and well equipped human resource for sustainable socioeconomic development.   He urged the two churches to continue to pray for Ghana especial for continues peace and tolerance.

Manhyia North MP called for unity in NPP

The Member of Parliament for Manhyia North, Collins Owusu Amankwah has asked supporters of the New Patriot Party to work in creating a united front.

Mr Amankwah said this at Moshie Zongo during an open forum with his constituents who shared their concern about recent utility tariff increments.

Speaking with GhanaMPs.gov.gh,   Mr Amankwah said there is a need for all progressives of the party to close their ranks and work towards a common goal of recapturing power in 2016. He said the recent wrangling in the party should not deter members of the party from playing their role for a better society.

Mr Owusu said, he believes they have only one option on the way forward.  They must, in the words of the song, “work like a man inspired until the battle is won, remember the famous man who had to fall to rise again, pick themselves up, dust ourselves down and start all over again”. Start all over again, but not from the beginning start from the lessons we have learnt, he added.

Nkawkaw MP funds electricity project for Daaten Health centre

The Member of Parliament for Nkawkaw, Eric Darfuor Kwakye has funded electricity extension project worth GH¢ 8,000 for one of the Community Based Health Planning Services (CHPS) in his constituency.

Mr. Kwakye in an interview with Ghanamps.gov.gh, the project was to make the facility more efficient especially in offering night services and other services that require the use of electricity. By this, the facility would be able to meet the aspirations and needs of residents.

According to the MP, Daaten Health centre has been operating for sometime without electricity but looking at the importance of electricity he decided to contract an electrical engineer to connect the facility to the national electricity grid.

Meanwhile, Mr. Kwakye also presented public address system (PA system) worth GH¢ 1,500 to the Jamasi No. 2 community to aid in information dissemination.

Nkawkaw MP Donates building materials to schools

Some selected schools at Nkawkaw in the Kwahu West Municipality have benefited from assorted building materials donated by the Member of Parliament for the area, Eric Kwakye Darfour
The items worth GHs1, 500 included 50 bags of cement, 2 packets of roofing sheets, and nails. The items provided by the MP from his own coffers are meant for renovation works on the school blocks which have some defects.
Beneficiary communities include kwahu Nsaba, Kwadwo Nkansah, SDA Primary-Nkawkaw and Aprawahemu.

Speaking to Ghanamps.gov.gh, he said, it is important to revive the culture of maintenance in Ghanaians to avoid important edifice deteriorating, adding that if most school blocks had received the needed attentions in terms of renovation the current deficit of school blocks would not have existed.

 Hon. Eric Kwakye, stated that he has decided to assist the basic schools in his constituency especially those that need some work to get them strong enough to hav

e them carried out.

Koforidua Traders express concern about relocation

koforidua market

The New Juaben Municipal Assembly has given a three months ultimatum to the traders and drivers at the Koforidua-Ho station to relocate to a place yet to be decided by the assembly to make way for the upgrading of the station.

Speaking to the Ghanamps.gov.gh,  Dr. Kwaku Owusu Acheampong, the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) of the New Juabeng Municipal Assembly, said after the rehabilitation of the station, the lorry park, which is closer to the Central Police Station, will be moved to the Ho station to decongest the area.

Mr. Michael Asiamah, a lotto agent, said upon meeting the assembly, the lotto agents were not given a place to relocate, but were asked to go and look for a suitable place for approval by the assembly.

Mr. Asiamah said they are looking for a place but were facing challenges as the municipality seemed choked up.

Madam Enyonam Duagbor, a food vendor, said food vendors at the station were also asked to look for a place to relocate, but were finding it difficult to get a place.

She said the assembly has promised building a canteen for the food vendors as part of the upgrading of the station, but the food vendors fear that the canteen would not be allocated to them because the assembly might demand some rent advance, which many of the current food vendors might not be able to provide.

Ms. Duagbor also expressed concern about the three months ultimatum given them and said the period is too short a time to find a place to move.

Mr. Ahmed Yakari, the Koforidua-Somanya GPRTU branch chairman, also said the branch executives have also been asked to move their offices from the station, and that, they will meet the assembly within two weeks to deliberate on the issue.

Atwimahene donates to Takyiman police

Police motorbikes

The Atwimahene, Nana Antwi Agyei Brempong II, has presented a Nissan vehicle and two motorbikes to the Atwima Takyiman Police Station in the Ashanti Region as his contribution towards the fight against crime in the area.

The donation was also to aid the police in their work In addition, the chief presented a stand-by electric power generator, a flat screen computer, a printer and accessories to the police.

He had bought them from his personal resources and contributions of some individuals, including the Ashanti Regional Police Commander, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Nathan Kofi Boakye, and the Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr Samuel Sarpong.

Atwima Takyiman and its surroundings have lately been under attack from armed robbers, necessitating that the police be supported and security in the area tightened.

The Atwima Takyiman Police Station, inaugurated in April 2014, is a new establishment and is under the jurisdiction of the Asokwa Divisional Police Command.

While presenting the items, Nana Agyei Brempong commended all whose contribution had made the purchasing of the items possible.

He was hopeful that the gifts would, to a large extent, enable the police to combat crime in the area.

DCOP Kofi Boakye, for his part, praised the Atwimahene for his support and encouragement to the police. He used the occasion to urge other chiefs to emulate Nana Brempong’s example.

The Ashanti Regional Police Commander charged the police personnel at the Atwima Takyiman Police Station to ensure the proper maintenance of the items, opining that it was “the only station in the region with its own patrol vehicle and motorbikes”.

Bolgatanga Municipal Assembly makes stride

The Bolgatanga Municipal Assembly has made significant strides in the area of education, health and sanitation, the Municipal Chief Executive, Mr. Edward Ayagle, has said.

Speaking at the first Ordinary Meeting of the Assembly on Friday, he said the Assembly had constructed three-unit classroom blocks at Yebongo, Zuarungu Moshie, Adakora and Zuarungu Central.

The Assembly has also built two teachers’ quarters at Kalbeon and Katanga and procured 180 mono desks and supplied them to Anateem, Adakora and Zuarungu Central.

Mr. Ayagle said the two Members of Parliament for the area utilized their District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF) to sponsor needy students in the Municipality. The Bolgatanga East MP, Dr. Dominic Ayine, supported 64 students with 23,750.00 Ghana cedis and the MP for the Bolgatanga Central, Mr. Opam Brown, supported 85 students amounting to 21,817.00 Ghana cedis.

“We have increased the beneficiary schools under the School Feeding Programme to 32 with a total enrolment of 13,400 pupils,” Mr. Ayagle said.

On sanitation, the MCE said the refuse truck and the cesspool emptier the Assembly bought in 2013 were in use and had also increased the waste collection sites by providing 10 more waste containers.

Mr. Ayagle said another remarkable achievement of the Assembly was the provision of 49 boreholes in 25 communities, construction of a small water system at Kalbeon which is ongoing while periodic maintenance of other water systems in the Municipality had been carried out leading to increase provision of portable water in the Municipality.

“Five hundred low tension poles have been procured for distribution under the Rural Electrification Project and rehabilitation of street lights in the Municipality is currently ongoing,” Mr. Ayagle said.

The Assembly, he said, also gave support to the Municipal Health Directorate in their outreach programmes on immunization, malaria prevention and control and the distribution of food to malnourished children.

Mr. Ayagle said the Assembly’s internally generated fund amounted to 969, 107.89 Ghana cedis and appealed to the Assembly members to help ensure that the street naming exercise which the Assembly was about to undertake becomes successful.

Bolgatanga Municipal Assembly makes stride

The Bolgatanga Municipal Assembly has made significant strides in the area of education, health and sanitation, the Municipal Chief Executive, Mr. Edward Ayagle, has said.

Speaking at the first Ordinary Meeting of the Assembly on Friday, he said the Assembly had constructed three-unit classroom blocks at Yebongo, Zuarungu Moshie, Adakora and Zuarungu Central.

The Assembly has also built two teachers’ quarters at Kalbeon and Katanga and procured 180 mono desks and supplied them to Anateem, Adakora and Zuarungu Central.

Mr. Ayagle said the two Members of Parliament for the area utilized their District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF) to sponsor needy students in the Municipality. The Bolgatanga East MP, Dr. Dominic Ayine, supported 64 students with 23,750.00 Ghana cedis and the MP for the Bolgatanga Central, Mr. Opam Brown, supported 85 students amounting to 21,817.00 Ghana cedis.

“We have increased the beneficiary schools under the School Feeding Programme to 32 with a total enrolment of 13,400 pupils,” Mr. Ayagle said.

On sanitation, the MCE said the refuse truck and the cesspool emptier the Assembly bought in 2013 were in use and had also increased the waste collection sites by providing 10 more waste containers.

Mr. Ayagle said another remarkable achievement of the Assembly was the provision of 49 boreholes in 25 communities, construction of a small water system at Kalbeon which is ongoing while periodic maintenance of other water systems in the Municipality had been carried out leading to increase provision of portable water in the Municipality.

“Five hundred low tension poles have been procured for distribution under the Rural Electrification Project and rehabilitation of street lights in the Municipality is currently ongoing,” Mr. Ayagle said.

The Assembly, he said, also gave support to the Municipal Health Directorate in their outreach programmes on immunization, malaria prevention and control and the distribution of food to malnourished children.

Mr. Ayagle said the Assembly’s internally generated fund amounted to 969, 107.89 Ghana cedis and appealed to the Assembly members to help ensure that the street naming exercise which the Assembly was about to undertake becomes successful.

Fanteakwa North MP donate Ambulance to community

Ambulance

Mr Amankwa Kwabene Asiamah, Member of Parliament for Fanteakwa North, has donated an Ambulance valued at GHc 40,000 to health facilities in his constituency.

The MP used part of his share of the MPs National Health Insurance Find to purchase the vehicle, which has been allocated to health facility at Dedesewerako.

Mr Amankwa said he presented the ambulances because people in serious health conditions and women in labour had to travel long distances to health centers which has been causing maternal death.

Speaking with ghanamps.gov.gh, the MP expressed worry that some expectant mothers in the community had lost their lives because they could not get transport to convey them to health centres early.

Mr Asiamah appealed to the Regional Health Directorate to supply health facilities in the communities with anti-snake test-tube since the people, mostly farmers suffer from snake bites.

He also appealed to authorities at the health facility to assist in the maintenance of the vehicle to ensure its long life span and usage.

Fanteakwa North MP provides sets of jersey to constituents

Jersey

Sport development at the basic school level in the Fanteakwa North Constituency ha been given a boost with the supply of sets of jerseys and footballs.

The Member of Parliament for the area, Kwabena A Amankwah donated 40 sets of jerseys and footballs to all basic schools in the area.

He advised the students to effectively combine their sporting talents with studies as this will provide good platform for their future carrier. He further reminded them of the taking the word of God seriously in order to become good and responsible citizens in the future.

In another development, the MP procured and distributed 50 streetlights to all communities in the area to boost visibility in the night. This is hoped to reduce crime and also provide opportunity for people who want to engage in legitimate businesses in the night to do so without fear of attack.

Hon. Baah Agyemang organizes quiz for J.H.S

In an effort to discourage the youth of Juansa Community in Asante Akim North constituency, from engaging in immoral behaviours during the Easter festivities, the Member of Parliament Kwadwo Baah Agyeman, organised a quiz competition for Junior High Schools in the community.

He expressed gratitude to the chief for providing accommodation for teachers and instituting such an excellent measure banning all sorts of entertainment such as record dance, video shows, concerts and any form of entertainment that would not allow children to study in the night.

Speaking to ghanamps.gov.gh, Hon. Baah Agyeman emphasised that in the new era we find ourselves the only way children can aspire reach greater heights is through education and urged parents to always ensure that their wards not only go to school but also study hard.

The MP urged parents and teachers alike to work hand in hand for the progress and development of the children and the community.

As a way of rewarding best performing schools, Hon Kwadwo Baah Agyeman donated a laptop to Juansa Presby JHS who took first position in the competitions, a set of Jerseys and football to Juansa R/C JHS and Juansa Methodist JHS for the second and third position respectively.

Ghanamps.gov.gh/Afia Yeboah