WEST GONJA BAC SUPPORTS TRAINEES

BAC SUPPORTS TRAINEES
By Alhassan Mesuna
The West Gonja District Business Advisory Center (BAC) of the Rural Enterprises project (REP) supported graduates of the programme’s community base skill Training program with apprenticeship support kits to enable them start practicing their trade.

Addressing people in a well attended meeting Mr. Alidu Ewura disclosed that his out fit had trained a total of 944 unemployed youth in 24 communities. This number he said is made up of 330 females and 614 males. He noted that the provision of Graduate Apprenticeship Support Kits is one of the services provided by the BAC under the REP to give upcoming entrepreneurs the required tools to start work after undergoing skill training with the BAC. He then appeal to the youth to register with the centre to benefit from the program.

On her part, the Zonal Co-ordinator of REP, Madam Ohene Ampofo said the presentation ceremony marks a new era in the lives of people who have acquired skills but lack the requisite tools to practice. She then urged the beneficiaries to take good care of the tools to ensure that it last long.

The District Chief Executive, Hon. Janet Jambia Alhassan said the apprenticeship support kits provided by the REP is a novelty of government to ensure increase productivity, reduce unemployment and poverty in the country.
The DCE stated that government is targeting the rural folk through the REP concept because majority of the citizens of the country live in rural areas.
She was also optimistic that the 0.5% decline in the poverty incidence in the district in 2007 would further be reduced in the years to come because of the social friendly policies implemented by government such as National Health Insurance Scheme, National Youth Employment Programme and the District Industrialization Program which is about to take off.

The DCE finally cautioned the 35 beneficiaries to ensure the production of high quality goods and services so as to justify the good intensions of government.

In all 35 people were presented with tools to start work as Hairdressing, Black Smiths Dressmakers, Vulcanizers Leather workers, Carpenters, Bicycle Repairs and Masons.


HATS HOLDS FIRST MATRICULATION
By Alhassan Mesuna

The Damongo Health Assistant Clinical Training School organised its first matriculation ceremony at Damongo in the West Gonja District of the Northern Region. The ceremony was organised under the theme “quality health care delivery the role of the health assistant clinical”.

In his welcome address, the Principal of the school, Mr. Cosmos H. Alhassan said the school admitted its first batch of 64 students consisting of 40 ladies and 21 Gentlemen in November 2006. Currently the school has a total enrolment of 172 out which 99 are female with 65 males. The first batch according to the principal started training at the regional health directorate training center in Tamale and finally moved to Damongo last year.
Mr. Cosmos stated that the absence of library facilities, computer laboratory as well as inadequate hostel facilities and accommodation for staff is hampering smooth academic work. He then appealed to Ghana Health Service to as a matter of urgency post more staff to the school as the present staff strength, stands at three including the principal.

On her part the District Chief Executive for West Gonja District, Hon. Janet Jambia Alhassan said the District Assembly had over the years shown a lot of commitment to ensure access of the people to health facilities. This she said is done by constructing additional clinic in Damongo and six CHPS compounds in other communities district wide. Hon. Jambia noted in addition that District Assembly have been sponsoring nursing trainees and other tertiary students to augment the human resource base of the district and commended the tutors of the school for their commitment and dedication to duty.

Hon. Jambia stated that the nation’s dream to achieve the MDG 4 and 5 would be a mirage if attention is not paid to the development of human resource to manage the health sector. She then called on the Health Assistants Trainees to be loyal to their teachers and work hard to pass their examinations so as to justify their stay in the school.

The Northern Regional Minister, Alhaji Mustapha Ali Idris who was the Guest of Honour for the occasion urged the students to let the core values of the nursing profession be their guide. This he enumerates as team work, confidentiality, professionalism, people centred service among others

Hon. Alhaji Mustapha Ali Idris promised the school two sets of Jersey, two foot ball, a colour TV set and a motor bike.

Present at the ceremony was the Regional Director of Ghana Health Service Dr. Kwasi Twumasi, MP for Damongo Daboya Constituency, Hon. Alex Seidu Sofo, Heads of Department Religious Leaders Traditional authorities and the general public.

ASSESSMENT OF UNDP PROJECTS IN WEST GONJA DISTRICT

ASSESSMENT OF UNDP PROJECTS IN WEST GONJA DISTRICT
By Alhassan Mesuna, Damongo

Metropolitant, Municipal and District Assemblies have been urged to mainstream the MDGs in their Development plans so as to facilitate the attainment of those goals by 2015.
Madam Akua- Agyeman, UNDP Advisor on MDGs gave the advise at Damongo in the West Gonja District of the Northern Region during an inspection tour by a team from UNDP and Ministry of finance to inspect projects sponsored by UNDP in the West Gonja District.

The UNDP is sponsoring the Localization of MDGs in the West Gonja District. Sustainable livelihood programs under this project include, guinea fowl rearing, Dry Season gardening, groundnut processing and sheep rearing.

Madam Akua stated that attainment of the MDGs at the district level would have a greater impact on the gains made at the National level. She than advised the West Gonja District MDGs Localization working group and beneficiary farmers to step up their efforts and work as a team to ensure the success of the project in the district.

The Deputy District Co-ordinating Director for West Gonja District Mr. Patrick Aparik disclosed that poverty incidence in the district declined from 68.3% in 2000 to 64% in 2007 whiles malnutrition among children in the district have also decrease from 37% in 2007 to 27% in the first quarter of 2008. He stated that the marginal gains recorded could not have been possible without the support of development partners like UNDP. He finally called on other development partners to take advantage of the prevailing peace in the West Gonja District to promote development.

CIC DAMONGO