Story by Bernice Bessey.

As part of the beautification, modernisation of the City of Accra, and creating more space for the day-to-day administration of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA), the sod was cut last week Thursday for the construction of a six-storey building at Kinbu Gardens.

The first phase of the project, estimated at GH¢15 million, is expected to be completed by mid next year, and is under the sponsorship of Dream Reality Limited, a real estate and construction company. The second phase of the project would be solely sponsored from the assembly’s internal generated funds, according to the AMA Chief Executive, Dr. Alfred Okoe Vanderpuije.

The first phase of the Accra Millennium City Hall would consist of offices and departments for staff, a marriage registration hall, unit committee halls, and assembly hall of 300-seating capacity, and parking space for 200 vehicles Dr. Vanderpuije, at the short sod-cutting ceremony, which was disturbed by heavy rain, indicated that the foundation of the office complex begun about two weeks ago, and the main purpose was part of the Accra beautification process.

“The building was part of the assembly’s beautification agenda,” he stated. Karim Ibrahim, Managing Director of Dream Reality Limited, was grateful to partner the AMA, and said the provision of the building would go a long way to help the assembly carry out its development programmes.

From Ernest Best Anane

A recent heavy downpour hit residents of Abesua No. 1, a farming community in the Atwima Mponua District, rendering them homeless. They have been forced to relocate to neighbouring communities to put with friends and relations.

As a result, the only Primary School in the community has been closed down as a preventive measure to protect the lives of the children and teachers.

Mr. Simon Ofori, a teacher in the school, who spoke to Ashanti File during a visit, explained that the entire community was displaced by the flood, and pointed to activities of the illegal mining taking place all over, as degrading their lands, polluting water bodies, and hindering free flow of water in the water ways.

According to him, the situation posed a grave danger to the lives of residents in the area, as their sources of drinking water have been polluted, compelling them to resort to sachet water for their domestic activities.

Mr. Ofori pleaded with the government, through the Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr. Samuel Sarpong to, as a matter of urgency, intervene and the halt activities of illegal miners in the district.

The Regional Minister, who was at the head of members of the Ashanti Regional Security Council (REGSEC) on a visit to check illegal mining operations in the Atwima Mponua District last Monday, assured the community that the Council was determined to complement efforts by concerned institutions to arrest the devastating activities of illegal mining (galamsey) in those areas.

Dr. Sarpong described the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Minerals Commission as not doing enough in the fight against illegal mining in the country. He said the two institutions, among others, were very weak in carrying out their core mandates.

He said the REGSEC would partner the security agencies to making sure that the EPA works to save the environment for future generations.

Dr. Sarpong bemoaned the involvement of some politicians and chiefs in illegal mining, and cautioned those who engage in the illegal mining operations to stop or face the full rigours of the law when caught.

From Ernest Best Anane

Asokore Mampong, the capital of the newly-created Asokore Mampong Municipality, now has a modern police station, jointly built by Nananom and the Assembly at the cost of GH¢63,000.

The facility has been commissioned by the Ashanti Regional Commander, DCOP Nathan Kofi Boakye, who commended Nana Boakye Ansah-Debrah, Chief of Asokore Mampong, for his able and visionary leadership role in giving a facelift to the municipality, by improving upon the living standards of his people, and the region at large.

DCOP Kofi Boakye indicated that the police administration alone could not afford the funding of building police stations, which calls for public and private support, as exhibited by Nana Boakye Ansah-Debrah, his elders, and the Assembly.

He pleaded with other chiefs in the region, and across the nation, to also emulate the shining example of the Asokore Mampong Chief and his people.

The Police Commander also commended Alhaji Nurudeen Hamidan, Municipal Chief Executive,  and the Assembly for doing its part in making sure criminal activities in the area are brought down to the barest minimum, by training 50 members of the watchdog committee, who, he said, would join the police in patrolling the area to ensure the safety of residents.

Commander Boakye assured that people that the station would soon be upgraded into a District Headquarters to help clamp down on criminal activities.

Alhaji Nurudeen Hamidan lauded the Regional Commander for his visionary leadership, which, he said, had brought about improved discipline in the Police Service in the region.

Nana Boakye Ansah-Debrah commended the police boss for his determination to fight crime, and pleaded with him to make sure his personnel have accommodation close to the station, in order to respond in time when duty calls.

He urged the personnel to take good care of the facility, which, basically, belongs to nananom, to help the government and police administration in the fight against crime.

Pix 1: The newly-commissioned Asokore Mampong Police Station

From Sebastian R. Freiku

Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Asantehene, has brought smiles and  great relief to over 300 traders who were displaced by an unannounced demolition of their stalls at the Adehyeman Gardens in Kumasi, in February this year.

The King has facilitated their resettlement at no cost, to enable them earn decent livelihoods to support their families.

Living by the accolade “King Solomon”, Otumfuo intervened in the litigation of the parcel of land whose ownership was in contention.

While one Nana Osei Tutu, alias Kwame Obidiaba, as family head of Chief Kwaku Krah of Ahenkro is claiming ownership of the land, the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) has contested the claim of legitimate ownership against the evidence of ownership for over 50 years.

But, the Asantehene, as custodian of Kumasi lands, apportioned the land in dispute between the claimants, and went further to allocate premises at Mbrom, a suburb of Kumasi, for occupation by the displaced traders until the contractor completes the  construction of a commercial building on the site.

Consequently, Ellis Royal Company Limited, the contractor, has acquired a 50-year sub-lease, endorsed by the Golden Stool and Lands Commission, for the development of the land.

Last Friday, the women traders went to the Manhyia Palace to express their appreciation to the Asantehene. They presented a sheep, drinks, and unspecific amount of money to the Ashanti King for his magnanimity.

The Asantehene thanked the contractor for agreeing to work for the relief of the traders under the terms in the lease, and hoped the women would be able to sustain their businesses and support their families.

The Ashanti File has gathered that Otumfuo Osei Tutu II is also negotiating with Beige Capital, a local financial institution, to access soft loans for the women to sustain their businesses.

The jubilant traders also went in a procession to the tune of brass band music from the Manhyia Palace to the premises of the KMA to express their profound appreciation to the KMA boss, who showed solidarity during the demolition of their stalls.

The Special Aide to the Kumasi Mayor, Mr. Sammy Gyamfi, indicated that Kojo Bonsu was happy that the traders had been settled at long last, through the intervention of the Asantehene.

From Richard Attenkah.

Ten new sub-chiefs have sworn the Oath of Allegiance to the Paramount Chief of the Nungua Traditional Area, Odehe Kpakpa King Odaifio Welentsi III.

They include Nii Afotey Gbetse I – Asokpotsonaa Mantse, Nii Laryea Obiasempa – Yei Aman Mantse, Nii Sunkwa Ago Anom I – Omoeko Mantse, Nii Gonten Teiko Tsuru I – Akonorku Mantse, Nii Subrukutu Dadekona I – Tebibiano Mantse. The rest are Nii Akwei Bonsra I – Oyibi Kon Mantse, Nii Laryea Gyewuhene I – Klagon Mantse, Nii Borketey Odoiley I – Negba Mantse, Nii Glido Ababio I – Otinshi Mantse, Nii Afotey Botwe I – Otino Mantse.

All the 10 sub-chiefs were nominated, selected, confined, and outdoored to their respective communities before they swore the Oath of Allegiance to their Paramount Chief at a ceremony. After the swearing of the oath, libation was poured for each of them, after which a sheep was slaughtered for each. The sub-chiefs took turns to recite their oaths to King Odaifio Welentsi III, after which they were inducted into the Nungua Traditional Council (NTC).

Administering the oath of allegiance, King Odaifio Welentsi III called on the 10 sub-chiefs to bring their knowledge and wisdom to bear on the administration of the Traditional Council. He called on them not to sell government properties, especially lands, but rather do whatever it takes to protect government lands within their areas of jurisdiction. The 10 sub-chiefs would later be led by a judge from a court of justice to swear the Oath of Secrecy of the Traditional Council.

From Richard Attenkah.

The Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA), on Friday, presented copies of a cheer song it has put together as the theme song for the Ghana Black Stars campaign for Brazil 2014 to the Managing Director (MD) of Stanbic Bank Ghana Limited.

The song, titled “Shine 4 Africa”, is expected to be used as the one song which will inspire the Black Stars in their quest to conquer the world to make history as the first African country go past the semi-final stage, if not bring home the prestigious trophy.

“Shine 4 Africa”, which was produced by KAYWA, is a collaboration between MUSIGA and Showbiz Africa, and sponsored by Stanbic Bank Ghana Limited. The music personalities who featured on the production include Skinny Legend, Noble Nketia, Efya, Nana Boroo, Sheriffa Gunu, Tic Tac, Edem, Cwesi Oteng, Sarkodie, Chemphe, Maestro Kojo Antwi, Dancehall King Samini, and President of MUSIGA, Obour.

Presenting the copies, Samini, who is the Music Director of MUSIGA, said music is one tool which can bring people from all walks of life together for a common purpose; one that is as important as to cheer our Black Stars to higher heights at the mundial.

Receiving the copies, Mr. Alhassan Andani, MD of Stanbic Bank, said his outfit believed that all Ghanaians have their eyes set on Brazil, and that one of the best ways to rally round the team is through a common song that can bring all of us together to support the Black Stars.

“As a bank, we have made our intentions very clear on our support to see Ghana succeed at the World Cup. We have already contributed to the government’s campaign to send supporters to Brazil. “And when the Musicians’ Union of Ghana (MUSIGA) decided to prepare a theme song for the campaign, we saw it as another opportunity to bring happiness to [our] supporters.

“We know Africans, and for that matter Ghanaians love their football. If there is a common song to use as the rallying point to watch the matches, all the better. “Apart from our support for sports development, we also have keen interest in the creative industry. We are a major partner in the development arts in this country.”

He stated that MUSIGA’s initiative was worthy of support, hence Stanbic’s decision to partner them, adding: “Supporting the production of the song is yet another testament of our interest in ensuring that quality creative work sees fruition.

“It is our hope that all Ghanaians will welcome and embrace this song, titled “Shine-4-Africa”, as the one main theme song to support and cheer on the Black Stars in our homes, in Brazil, and in our offices,” Mr. Andani observed.

From Ernest Best Anane.

The Defence for Children International, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), has charged African governments to include women in public decision-making to help address gender-based violence and socio-economic inequality effectively.

Mr. Peter Larbi, Project Coordinator of the organisation, said this at a one-day workshop, organised to educate and sensitise NGOs, fan clubs, associations, and leaders of organised groups in the Kumasi Metropolis, on the need to giving equal rights and opportunities to young women and boys in society.

He revealed that gender violence cannot be addressed effectively, while girls and young women are excluded from private and public decision-making, saying their non-participation was among other causes resulting in prevailing gender norms and persistent gender discrimination, which inhibit girls and young women from developing the knowledge and skills necessary for participation and collective mobilisation.

According to him, the thematic areas of the organisation are working for better protection for girls and young women, enhancing economic opportunities for girls and young women, enhancing secondary education for girls and young women, and enhancing socio-political participation in society by girls and young women, as the main target group includes girls and young women, communities, including parents men and boys leaders, government institutions at both the national and local level, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs).

He said their objectives are to help a reduction of sexual and gender-based violence against girls and young women, increase socio-economic empowerment of girls and young women by strengthening quality and access to education, with special focus on post-primary education, including vocational, financial and employment skills, and also increase socio-political empowerment of girls and young women by promoting their participation in private and public decision-making processes.

Mr. Larbi observed that in achieving these, civil society can play a pivotal role in strengthening girls and young women’s individual and collective agency, and creating a more supportive environment for their participation in decision-making structures and broader civil society coalitions at all levels.

Stories from Richard Owusu-Akyaw.

The management of the Offinso Forest Services Division has, as part of activities marking this year’s Forestry Week celebration, organised a forum to educate pupils within its catchment area on the importance and benefits of tree planting.

To enable pupils develop an early interest in community afforestation, the Forestry Commission has adopted the Offinso-Obuasi Roman Catholic Junior High School (JHS) as a model school in tree planting in the district.

As a result, the Forestry Commission has assisted pupils and teachers of the school in clearing, pegging, and planting over 600 teak seedlings on a one and half acre land in front of the school.

Addressing the gathering before the planting exercise, the Manager of the Offinso Forest Services Division, Mr. Ernest Nkansah, explained the choice of Obuasi R/C JHS out of the many, in the level of commitment and knowledge its teachers have in forest-related issues.

Mr. Nkansah pointed out that the initiative will not only bring financial reward to the school, but also serve as windbreaks, as well as protecting the land from potential encroachers, and stressed the need for society to educate the next generation on the impact of deforestation.

Mr. Nkansah, therefore, entreated teachers and pupils of the school to nurture the trees to maturity. The Headmaster, Mr. Paul Yaw Anane, commended the management of the Offinso FSD for the initiative, and gave the assurance that the school would be committed to taking good care of the trees.

The Sekyere Kumawu District Assembly is assessing the possibility of developing the Bomfobiri Wildlife Sanctuary, which is 53 kilometres square, into a first class tourist attraction.

As a result, 14 members and some officials of the assembly have paid a day’s visit to the sanctuary as a follow up to the District Chief Executive’s acceptance at the last general assembly meeting, to the effect that the assembly intends to develop the Bomfobiri Wildlife Sanctuary into a first class tourist centre.

Mr. Gideon Buabin, an officer of the District Assembly and the leader of the team, said it was the intention of the assembly to explore more avenues for revenue mobilisation to realise its developmental goals. Mr. Prince Anane Adjei, District Park Manager of the Department of Game and Wildlife, said the sanctuary, presently, falls under two administrative districts – Sekyere Kumawu and Sekyere Afram Plains.

Mr. Anane Adjei also told the team that the Bomfobiri Wildlife Sanctuary abounds in several species of animals, including over 140 birds, 26 species of mammals, 3 species of crocodiles, and 5 species of primates (monkeys). Other attractions are the two waterfalls, varied topography of flora and fauna, historic caves, and magnificent hills.

The sanctuary has three camps at Kagyaworses, Wala and Yiribontiri, all manned by Game and Wildlife staff.
The Park Manager also explained that the purpose of establishing the Sanctuary was to protect the varied ecosystem and ecological values of the area.

Tourist activities that one can engage in during a visit to the sanctuary include a visit to the Bomfobiri and Pame waterfalls, game viewing (different species of animals), bird watching, mountain climbing (offers one panoramic view of the surroundings), trail hiking (nature walk), and camping.

From Edmond Gyebi

The Member of Parliament (MP) for Salaga North, Alhaji Alhassan Mumuni, has handed over three toilet facilities to three selected deprived schools in the constituency.

The GH¢84,000 projects are meant to provide sanitation facilities for school children and teachers in the three communities, which are Dakpemyili, Dashie, and Wulanyili. The project, which is being implemented by the Ghana Education Service (GES), is being sponsored by the Global Partnership for Education Grant, and it is expected to benefit 57 deprived districts across Ghana, of which 19 in the Northern Region are beneficiaries.

Alhaji Alhassan Mumuni, at separate ceremonies to hand over the toilet facilities, reiterated his disappointment at the poor performance of schools in the constituency in the Basic Entrance Certificate Examinations (BECE) and the West Africa Senior School Certificate Examinations (WASSCE) every year.

According to the MP, out of the seven primary schools that took part in the 2013 BECE in the area, five of them recorded zero percent. He put the blame on all stakeholders, who are the traditional authorities, teachers, heads of schools, circuit supervisors, parents, assembly members and himself, for not playing their roles effectively and efficiently.

Alhaji Mumuni, who is a former Circuit Supervisor and a former District Chief Executive for East Gonja, largely blamed most of the teachers in the area for becoming lazy and unwilling to stay and work in the area. He said that the majority of the teachers in the Salaga North Constituency preferred to commute to and from Tamale each morning to school, thus reporting to class late.

The MP, who has already earmarked 30% of his MPs Common Fund to promoting education, especially, to support brilliant but needy students, also announced an award scheme for the best performing teachers in the constituency, from December this year.

He therefore tasked the District Directorate of the GES to help identify such deserving teachers for the honours. The District Director of Education for East Gonja, Sixtus D. Adikwo, said that it had become common practice for school children and teachers in the district to defecate in the bush during school hours due to the absence of toilet facilities in the schools.

According to him, several school children and some teachers had become victims of snake bites, and, therefore, commended the government and its partners for the projects.

He urged parents to educate their children, especially the girl child, noting that girls’ enrollment in school in the district still left much to be desired.

From Edmond Gyebi

The government is putting up a magnificent community Information Communication Technology (ICT) Centre for the people of the Sagnarigu.

The over GH¢400,000 project, located in the Sagnarigu District is expected to be completed by the end of this year, and is aimed at enhancing ICT learning and research work among teachers and students in the area. The Community ICT Centre, which is being financed by the Ministry of Communication, will be connected to the National Fiber Optic Backbone.

At a ceremony to cut the sod for the official commencement of the ICT centre, the District Chief Executive (DCE) for the area, Alhassan Mohammed Soro-Gudow, commended the government for prioritising the promotion of quality education and infrastructural development in the district.

He was positive that the ICT centre will inure to the benefit of the people, especially, school children, as ICT has become the driving force of human endeavour. The DCE urged the contractor to execute the work according to the design specification, and also complete it on time.

Mr. Soro-Gudow, who has been campaigning against the poor standard of education in the district, which borders on the development of the human resource base of the area, insisted that schools in the Sagnarigu District, at the moment, have no reason to trail behind any district in the Northern Region.

According to him, the ruling government had provided several school blocks and other educational materials aimed at enhancing the quality of education in the district.

Recently, the Sagnarigu District Assembly handed over No. 6 six-unit classroom blocks to some selected schools in the district, with offices, stores, furniture, and toilet facilities, as part of efforts at improving the quality of education in the area. Most of the schools which had their roofs ripped off by the recent rainstorms have also received attention from the assembly.

A three-unit classroom block for the early childhood development of Kindergarten pupils has also been constructed at Kpene in the Sagnarigu District. That notwithstanding, the Assembly has succeeded in attracting more qualified teachers to the district, and has provided most of them with decent accommodation.

Mr. Soro-Gudow noted that even though it is estimated that about 404 schools in the Northern Region have no teachers at all, representing a shortage of 7, 567 teachers, the Sagnarigu District and Tamale metropolis alone have excess teachers of about 1,197.

The DCE, therefore, attributed the cause of the poor performance of the schools in the district to the fact that most teachers in the area report to school very late, and leave at their own convenient time, and yet, they are made to go scot free by their school authorities.

He reminded the teachers that the Sagnarigu District was not a dumping ground for lazy and irresponsible teachers. The Member of Parliament (MP) for Sagnarigu, Alhaji A.B.A. Fuseini, said that the creation of the Sagnarigu District was an attempt by the government to scale up the development aspirations of the people.

He mentioned some of the numerous development interventions the government had brought to the people to include roads, electricity, water, and sanitation facilities among others.

The Aiyinase Health Centre, in the Ellembele District of the Western Region, is to be upgraded to a Polyclinic status, and resourced to deliver quality health care to all in the area.

This was disclosed when the First Lady, Mrs Lordina Mahama, on behalf of the Lordina Foundation, visited the area and donated medical supplies and equipment to the Ellembele District Health Directorate, for onward distribution to health facilities in the district.

It is the first official visit to the Ellembele District she has embarked on. With a passion to help promote good health for all, Mrs. Lordina Mahama, through the Lordina Foundation, on a mission to promote women and children’s health, is also out to resource health facilities in the country with medical equipment that would help promote quality healthcare delivery.

At Aiyinase in the Ellembele District, Mrs. Mahama presented cartons of assorted hospital supplies and equipment to the Ellembele District Health Directorate for the benefit of the Aiyinase Health Centre, as well as other health facilities in the district.

The Ellembele District Health Director, Madam Elizabeth Conney, the Member of Parliament (MP) of the area, Mr. Emmanuel Kofi Buah, the District Chief Executive, Mr. Daniel Eshun, other executives, and the chiefs and people in the area, were appreciative to Mrs. Mahama for always playing the role of a mother who knows the needs of her children, and going out of her way to meet these needs.

The First Lady said the Lordina Foundation believes that good health is important in increasing labour and productivity for the growth of the economy, hence the Foundation’s resolve to work and promote health, especially, that of women and children.

Mrs. Mahama arrived to a rousing welcome at the Dixcove Hospital, in the Lower Dixcove of West Ahanta District.  The hospital was built by the then Chief, Nana Heman, in 1972, and handed over to the Ghana Health Service in 1985.

On average, about 100 patients patronise the Out Patients Department, while some 150 or more pass through on Tuesdays, when various clinics are run for specialised cases such as diabetes and ante-natal, among others. The authorities of the hospital deemed the donation of the medical equipment by the Lordina Foundation as a great relief.

The Omanhene of Lower Dixcove, Nana Akwesi Agyeman IX, and the MP for the area commended Mrs. Mahama for choosing the Ahanta West District, out of the 23 districts in the Western Region, as a beneficiary of her good deeds.

Nana Agyeman asked Mrs. Mahama to remind the President, and urge him, so that together they can grace the occasion of their Kundum festival, come 23rd August 2014, an invitation which has already been extended to the President.

From Ernest Best Anane.

The Glico Group, an insurance company, has presented building materials worth GH¢8,000.00 to the Ashanti Police Command, in support of the building of a Conference Hall for the regional police administration.

The materials were made up of 100 bags of cement, one tonne each of 16 mm and 20 mm iron rods, and an cheque for GHc1,000. Nana Efua Rockson, Head Corporate Affairs Glico Group, explained at the presentation that the gesture of the group followed an appeal by the police administration for assistance in building a conference hall for administrative work.

According her, the group has being in operation in the Ashanti Region for 27 years, and observed that insurance is when the people get peace of mind, and was convinced the residents would have the peace to go about their duties if the police is well equipped to provide required services by the people.

DCOP Kofi Boakye, Ashanti Regional Police Commander, who received the items on behalf of the Regional Police Command, commended Glico Group for the kind gesture. He said the 300-capacity conference hall project, which takes off very soon, will also serve as an operations room.

The police boss appealed to other companies and corporate bodies to emulate the shining example of Glico Group. DCOP Boakye mentioned that GOIL had also provided the police administration with four petrol tanks.

From Ernest Best Anane.

The African Rural Evangelistic Association (AREA), a non-governmental Christian organisation in Kumasi, has organised a day’s programme to educate students in the Anloga and Sisakyi communities in Kumasi on HIV/AIDS prevention methods.

Pastor Israel Gbaffah, General Secretary of the AREA, revealed that the programme was in line with efforts by the government to attain zero HIV/AIDS infection in the area.

He said the Millennium Development Goals 4, 5 and 6 deal with the health status of the Ghanaian, in which HIV infection is a part, hence the need to avoid unprotected and illicit sex.

Pastor Gbaffah called on the participants to practice the ABC and safe sex which goes along with the use of condoms, or avoid sex which leads to sexually transmitted diseases.

He urged the students to abstain from sex and live faithful lifestyles if they want to enjoy their future in prosperity.
Pastor Gbaffah assured them of a bright future if they will only wait for the right time, and not to rush into sexual activities because of peer influence and bad company.

On his part, the Chairman of the AREA, Pastor Frank Agbeko, advised the students not allow anybody, either male or female, to lure them into lesbianism and homosexuality.

He advised them to go for the free screening of HIV, so that they might know their status when it comes to HIV/AIDS.

He said Ghana’s development rests on the health of the people, hence the need for them to go for the ‘Know Your Status’ HIV testing and counseling.

From Ernest Best Anane.

The MTN Foundation has presented school items and office furniture to the Roman Catholic Primary and Junior High schools at Fumso near New Adubiase in the Adansi South District to enhance teaching and learning.

Mr. Eric Opoku Afriyie, Operations and Maintenance Engineer of MTN in the Region, at the presentation, explained that the gesture was part of the 21-Yello Days programme, initiated to help improve lives in the various communities in which they operate as their social responsibility.

He said the MTN Foundation has started a science club in the school to motivate students interested in science to help them in their academic progression, and would also provide uniforms and shoes to those who will excel for a period or term.

He said they had also presented office furniture at the total cost of GH¢3,100 to furnish the Staff Common Room of the school.
They included a table at GH¢600; a 2×2 table at GH¢400; an arm-chair at GH¢1,800, and a cabinet at GH¢300.

Mr. Ohene Amoako Atta, who received the items on behalf Mrs. C. A. Dorpenyor, Headmistress of the school, commended MTN Foundation for the kind gesture, and said it would serve as motivation to the pupils.

From William N-lanjerborr Jalulah.

Farmers in the region may some lose their crops to a possible drought that could unleash hunger in the region. It is becoming an annual ritual that from the beginning of every farming season, the rains will not fall sufficiently enough for the farmers to begin full scale farming.

As a result, they ended up cultivating their crops very late, and sooner than later, torrential rains set in, coupled with floods, and the farmers lose everything.  One of such difficult years was 2007, when the whole of the region was inundated with floods. That year, dozens of lives were lost, farmlands submerged under flood waters, with animals and other belongings washed away.

Not even the quick response of intentional bodies like United Nations International Children’s Fund (UNICEF), CARE International, International Red Cross Society, World Food Programme, augmented by local organisations like the National Disaster Management Organisation, could bring life to normalcy for the thousands of victims.

That year, the farmers planted, but had to replant very late, because their earlier crops weltered due to the prolonged drought. Just when the crops were about tussling, the rains started pouring heavily. Then came a series of announcements from the Burkinabe authorities that the Bagre Dam was full to the brim and had to be spilled.

The spillage of the dam aggravated the situation, as all residents along the White Volta Basin had the communities and farmlands submerged. The situation even affected other residents, who were not along the basin, but for the fact that there were canals, streams and other water bodies joining the White Volta, where they had settled and farmed.

History seems to be repeating itself this year, as most crops, like the early millet which had always mitigated hunger during the lean season, were being wilted by the burning weather. Farmers in communities such as Sumbrungu, Bare, Tongo-Beo, Gambibgo, Balungu, Zuarungu-Moshie, Duusi, Pelungu and many others, which were first to cultivate the early millet, were now lamenting over the lack of rains.

In the Bolgatanga Municipality, farmers who engaged in backyard gardening have resorted to irrigating their crops. Some of them told this reporter they could not watch their crops wilter, knowing very well the implications. Some farmers also said they could not cultivate the early millet because of the delayed rainfall pattern.

Such farmers have only one option – to crop late millet or sorghum. Even with that, they must pray the rains do not fall unabated to destroy their crops. Farmers who also went into rice cultivation were lamenting, because most of them were still waiting for the rains to come.

Currently, the weather pattern in the region is unpredictable. Even if the clouds gather and looked saturated with rain, they disappear suddenly and leaving the fate of the poor farmers hanging. Until divine intervention, Upper East farmers are not happy, as their hopes fade daily.

The Wassa Fiase Traditional Council and the Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipal Assembly (NTMA) are at loggerheads over the pouring of human waste by the latter on land of the former.

Consequently, the Traditional Council has ordered the Assembly to cease, with immediate effect, pouring human waste or excreta on their land.  Information available to this file indicates that when the Traditional Council gave the order, the Assembly immediately sent out a three-man delegation to confer with the Council, apparently, to reverse the order.

The Assembly delegation, which conferred with the Traditional Council, included the Coordinating Director, head of the Environment and the Municipal Engineer, but they failed to convince the Council to reverse its decision.  The Public Relations Officer of the TNMA, Baby Baffoe, who confirmed the story, added that the Assembly shared the concerns raised by the chiefs.

According to her, the Assembly’s delegation did not challenge or fault the chiefs for their decision to stop the TNMA from pouring liquid waste on their land.  This is, because, the explanations the Council gave were reasonable and welcome.
The PRO, however, denied that the council immediately stopped the Assembly from dumping the waste.  She explained that the Council gave the Assembly a month to prospect for land elsewhere to relocate the dump site.

The Chief of Akyimpim, Nana Ntsiful I, who gave the order, told The Chronicle in a telephone interview that the decision to stop the Assembly was a collective decision by the Traditional Council.  That apart, the Council found the acquisition of the parcel of land as questionable.  Since the Assembly begun pouring the human waste on its land in 1989, the Assembly had paid no money to the Council.

Nana said when the Council then asked the Assembly to pay a sum of GH¢50 per a trip of waste, the Assembly responded that it had no money.  Consequently, the Council had no option than to stop the Assembly.  Nana Ntsiful, however, told The Chronicle that one major reason the Council considered was the unhygienic environmental sanitation at the place the Assembly pours the waste.

According to Nana, it was surprising that the Assembly, knowing the negative health effects from pouring waste on the land, would leave the place in an insanitary condition.  He bluntly told this reporter: “In fact, the place was an eyesore and nauseating, and there can be [a] disease outbreak in the near future.”  He recounted how the haphazard pouring of waste by the Assembly had spread into streams in the area.

Continuing, Nana Ntsiful said another important factor the Traditional Council had considered in putting an embargo on the pouring of the waste on their soil was the growth in the population of the area.  He explained the Akyimpim Community was growing at a fast rate, and gradually, the place of the pouring of the waste was competing for space with the inhabitants.

From Alfred Adams .

The Royal Family of Anokye, which owns the land on which the Ghana Gas Company is operating, has thrown its weight behind its Paramount Chief, Awulae Amihere Kpanyile III, for taking steps to ensure that the company used the right process in acquiring the land it is working on.

According to the royal family, up to date it did not know the exact acreage of land the company had earmarked for its operations.  As a result, it was reasonable that, the company does the right thing in the acquisition of the land. Speaking at a press conference, the Obaahema of the royal family, Nana Bonsah III, said though the family was not against the project, they wanted the right thing to be done in the acquisition of the land.

According to her, the management of the company had failed to recognise that land have owners knowing well that lands have owners.  On his part, the Tufuhene of the royal family, Awunyi Mensah Robert, added that on the three occasions that the Traditional Council invited the gas company to the table to legalise its stay on the land, the latter failed to appear. He therefore commended his Paramount Chief of the area, Awulae Amihere Kpanyile III for taking steps to ensure that the management of the Ghana Gas did the right thing in acquisition of the land which is now a subject at a Sekondi High Court.

According to the Tufuhene, the court was the only place where justice is recieved.  He however called on the government to cause an investigation into the mode of crop compensation packages paid them bythe management of the Gas Company in taking over their farm lands for the project.  According to the elders of the community, they have cause to belief that the management of the gas company cheated them in the payment of compensation packages.

This is because, the management of the Ghana Gas did not pay the exact compensation worth their farm produce on the land exchanged for the setting up of the gas plant after the valuation of the crops.  The Tufuhene told the conference, “I had 32 coconut trees on the land, but the money given me by Ghana Gas did not reflect the value of each coconut tree.”
That apart, he added, others had, up to date, not been paid their compensation packages for farm produce destroyed.

Continuing, the Tufuhene pointed out that the suspicions of their elders were raised when their crops were valued, and no document was given to them indicating the number of crops each had.  He said since they did not have any documents indicating the number of crops each had, “Ghana Gas will only call you to come for a cheque, and whether the sum on the cheque [is] worth your crop or not, they force you to sign for [the] collection of the cheque.”

This, the Tufuhene told the press conference, happened in the payment of what he termed as ‘dubious’ compensations paid out to them by Ghana Gas.  It is as a result of this that they want the government to institute an investigation into the mode of the compensations paid out to them.

From Michael Boateng.

The Newmont Ahafo Development Foundation (NADeF) has spent GH¢1.2 million towards the construction of social and other development projects at Kenyasi Number One in the Ahafo project of Newmont Ghana Gold Limited in the region.

The projects are a Community Center, separate Information Communication centers (ICT) for the local Presbyterian, Methodist, Anglican and Roman Catholic Junior High schools, as well as a one-storey classroom block for the Osei Kofi Abiri Model School with an ICT center.

At a symbolic ceremony to inaugurate the projects at Kenyasi Number One, Nana Osei Kofi Abiri, Omanhene of Kenyasi Number One, commended Newmont Ahafo Mine for the projects. He said the Traditional Council was putting up a modern palace, and appealed to the mining company for assistance towards its completion.

Nana Abiri II noted that since Newmont started operations in the area, the 10 mine-take communities had benefited immensely from several social responsibility programmes, and other poverty alleviating interventions. He called on the people in the mine’s catchment areas to strengthen the existing peaceful relationship with the mining company for their mutual benefit.

NADeF is funded by Newmont Ahafo Mine, based on contributions from one US dollar of every ounce of gold sold, and one percent of net pre-tax profit.  Currently, Newmont’s contribution to the foundation, established in 2008, stands at GH¢29.7 million. The 10 mine-take communities are Kenyasi Number One and Kenyasi Number Two, Ntotroso, Gyedu and Wamahinso in the Asutifi North District, and Yamfo, Susuanso, Techire, Adrobaa, and Afrisipakrom in the Tano North District.

Mr. Kwame Saarah-Mensah, Board Chairman of NADeF, said the foundation had awarded scholarships to 4,986 Senior High School and Tertiary students to the tune of GH¢5,306,073.01, adding that additional an 499 apprentices from the host communities had also been sponsored. He explained that portion of the Foundation’s contribution had also been set aside as an Endowment Fund that would be used to sustain NADeF after the operations of Newmont comes to an end.

He further added that Kenyasi Number One alone had been allotted with GH¢4,147,390.18 towards development. Mr. Paul Sowley, Senior Manager, Environment and Social Responsibility of Newmont Ahafo Mine, said even though the price of gold remained lower, the company would continue to execute excellent social responsibility programmes for the benefit of the mine-take communities.

From Isaac Akwetey-Okunor

Information reaching the Eastern File indicates that the Akim Oda Police Command, on Friday, arrested a 26 year old deaf, Yahaya Amidu, for allegedly stealing underground cables belonging to Vodafone Ghana at the Akim Oda office main yard.

The suspect took to his heels with some of the cables, worth over GH¢14,000 upon seeing the police, but unlucky, after he was given a hot chase and subsequently arrested. He has since been remanded at the Nsawam Medium Security Prisons to reappear on 30th June, this year, by an Akim Swedru Circuit Court, presided over by His lordship Yaw Atta Sarpong.

The issue of cable thefts has been a major problem to Vodafone and other telecommunications companies, as it disrupts network service to customers, and results in huge financial expenditure in repairing the damage. Speaking to the file on condition of anonymity, a staff of Vodafone at the Akim Oda branch said there would have been approximately three days of network challenges in both voice and data if Amidu had been successful.

The Akim Oda Police Commander, Chief Superintendent Osafo Peprah, told the paper that Amidu was arrested somewhere last year for the same offence and dragged to court, but was later acquitted because the court couldn’t understand him. Mr. Peprah has assured residents in the area of the commitment of his office to reducing criminal activities.