ASSEMBLY MEMBERS INUGURATED

The First session of West Gonja District Assembly had been duly inaugurated.

New Assembly Members; some of whom have been elected and others appointed by government to carry the mantle of the MMDAs in the next four (4) years were sworn-into office.

His Excellency John Evans Atta Mills noted that, some of the Assembly Members have been re-elected whilst others were re-appointed. This means that, some have experience and will share their knowledge and experience with the new members he added.

The President stated that, the election and appointment of members as assembly members is a mark of confidence the people have in them and they are therefore expected to live up to expectation.

He said for the duration of their four-year term, they are to serve their people and country at the local government level in a way and manner that will let people appreciate the fact that they are truly participating in the decision-making process and governance of the nation.

He outlined some of the duties of Assembly Members stated in Section 16 (1) of the Local government Act 1993, Act 462.

He noted that, when the Assembly is served by dedicated and committed individuals who make a duty to demand accountability of them and management of the MMDAs, then the credibility of the Assembly will be assured in respect of its decision making and service delivery to the people.

He mentioned that, any member who will use his or her position to gain contracts or undue favours from the Assembly will be committing a serious offence of conflict of interest and would be liable to sanction.

He cautioned members that, as representatives of the President and first servants of the state at the District level, they must comport themselves in the administration and demonstrate to the people that are indeed available as chief servants of the districts.

He added that, a number of pragmatic interventions have been undertaken by the government to further deepen and give effect to our decentralized system of governance, and these include:

* Formulation of a reviewed National Decentralization Policy
* Production of a National Decentralization Action Plan being implemented
* Reduction in the number of Unit Committees to about 5,000 to be co-terminus
electoral areas for effective functioning and management
* Formulation of the Draft Urban Development Policy
* Implementation of the street naming and house numbering exercise
* Implementation of the new sanitation policy
* Implementation of the sanitation guards component of the NYEP
* Strengthening of the Local Government Service Secretariat, etc.

He emphasised on the need for new Assembly members to come out with new strategies in collaboration with management to generate adequate revenue to complement the efforts of central government.

In addition he said, the success of every MMDAs will largely depend on the level of cooperation between Assembly Members and the Chief Executive as well as other management staff in the discharge of their functions.

Touching on sanitation, the president asked all MMDAs to put premium on sanitation and waste management activities to rid the towns and cities of filth and health problems associated with insanitary conditions.

He said this year being an Action year, government will leave no stone unturned in ensuring that performance targets are met.

He assured members that, government will continue to support all MMDAs in their quest to render better services to the people and to develop the nation Ghana.

He told members that, they are the bedrock of the Better Ghana agenda and he trust that they will acquit themselves well in this regard so that together they will continue the process of building a vibrant and resilient economy, ensuring a transparent and accountable governance, investing in the people and expanding the infrastructure as set forth in the manifesto and policy document.

The president made this remarks in a speech read on his behalf by the Chief Executive Officer of Ghana Airports Company Limited Hon. Doreen Owusu Fianko.

The DCE Hon. Adam Matawkilu also took his turn to address members. He revealed that the assembly is made up of 27 Elected Members, 12 Government Appointees, and the Hon. Member of Parliament for Damongo/Daboya Constituency. This brings the total number of the Honourable House to 41.

He noted that, the vast nature of the area, coupled with a lot of rivers and streams make it difficult to access the whole area all year round. Added to this is the poor road network.

This he said has led to the reference of some parts of the communities as "overseas". "I think it is not fair to have overseas in our own country" he regretted.

He added that the situation has also led to imbalance distribution of resources as some of the donor partner's interventions are time bound.

He mentioned that, it is due to these challenges that the chiefs and elders, in collaboration with others, have written to the government for the consideration of a separate constituency for Daboya/Mankarigu.

He entreated those coming for their first time to visit the mole game reserve.

On his part, the Member of Parliament of Damongo/Daboya Constituency Hon. Sammy Wusah on behalf of the government handed over a key of a 22 seater minibus to the Headmaster of Ndewura Japka Senior High Technical School.

He remarked that government has not relented on its efforts to deliver the better Ghana agenda. He told the people that, plans were far advanced to carry out other projects in the district.

The headmaster thanked the government for his efforts to promote quality teaching and learning. He promised to maintain and sustain the bus for its purpose.

The ceremony was witnessed by the Damongowura Japka Lermu and his elders, Heads of Department, Heads of Political Parties, Religious Leaders and the General Public.

On a new development, Hon. Salia Mahama L was elected as the Presiding Member of the West Gonja District Assembly.

Hon. Ayuba Seidu an Assembly Member contested with Hon. Salia Mahama L a Government Appointee in the West Gonja District Assembly.

The election of the presiding member nearly ended in a stalemate because none of the contestants obtained two-thirds of the total votes cast after the first round of ballot.

Hon. Salia Mahama L polled 24 votes and his opponent Hon. Ayuba Seidu polled 16 votes.

After some negotiations, Hon. Ayuba Seidu decided to step down and Mr. Salia Mahama L polled 36 votes with 3 against thereby getting 90 percent to qualify him as the Presiding Member.

One vote was disqualified.

Balloting was conducted by the district electoral Officer, Mr. Andani N Issah.




BY: ATULE REGINA

WEST GONJA DISTRICT CELEBRATES 54TH INDEPENDENCE DAY ANNIVERSARY- 6TH MARCH 2011

The West Gonja District of the Northern has joined the rest of the country to celebrate this year's Independence Day.

At about 8:30 am school children and some other Civil organizations were already assembled at the Damongo Town Park ready for the March pass.

The Hon. DCE Adam Mutawakilu accompanied by the District Co-ordinating Director Mr, S.Y. Inusah, the District Police commander A.S.P Mr. Ansah Dawuda, the District Director of Education Mr. Charles Akatuk and the District Fire Officer DOII James Ayiania inspected the Parade.

Addressing the parade under the theme; "Discipline and hard work, essential prerequisite for Better Ghana" the DCE noted that, the commemoration of the occasion usually brings to mind the selfless dedication and commitment our forbearers exhibited in attaining our independence.

He recalled that His Excellency Prof. John Evans Atta Mills, the President of the Republic of Ghana at the beginning of the year described the year as a year of action. This can only be achieved through discipline and hard work he added.

He pointed out that, often times, some workers go to their workplaces very late or do not go at all. "This is a clear example of indiscipline" he said.

However, he stressed "what we need to know is that we are put at where we are because the state needs our services for the nation to grow".

He added that, the refusals to do the right thing at the right time tend to put the nation backward. He cautioned that, this behaviour should not be tolerated by anybody.

According to the DCE, it has become clear that the level of discipline in schools in the district is nothing to write home about. He said this has therefore manifested in the recent BECE results where some schools scored zero percent.

He was however glad with the bold steps the District Director of Education has taken to instil discipline in the school.

He pledged the assembly's support to help him carry out this exercise.

He mentioned that, the government of the NDC is very much concerned with discipline and hard work among Ghanaians.

It is only by this he said, that the Better Ghana Promised by H.E. John E.A. Mills can be achieved.

The DCE recounted some projects in the district which the government has under taken for the past two years.

He mentioned 47 projects which included the construction of 6-unit classroom blocks with offices, construction and furnishing of 1 No.3 - unit classroom blocks and ancillary facilities at Anyanto,TariNo.1, Kurabaso JHS, Presby and Falahiate primaries. He further mentioned 1 No. 3-unit Teacher's Quarters at Mempeasem and Nabori primary school.

He announced that, Government had paid an amount of GHC 154,000.00 to the project affected persons, thereby clearing the way for sod cutting for the construction of Fufulso/Sawla Road Project.

He urged everyone to support in the implementation of the project till it is completed.

He congratulated everybody especially the King, the Overlord of Gonja, for the able and peaceful manner the recent Damba festival as well his one year Anniversary was celebrated.

The event was marked by a colorful celebration including activities such football matches and quizz competition.





BY: ATULE REGINA

YAGBONWURA CELEBRATES DAMBA

As part of tradition, the King of Gonjaland Yabonwura Tuntumba Borsa Sulemana Jakpa I had celebrated this year's Damba festival which coincided with his first anniversary after he was installed as the King.

The occasion is used to settle disputes among the people and to also plan for development in the tradtional area. Damba is a festival characterised by merry making, drumming and dancing.

According to histroy, Damba is a major traditional festival celebrated by the people of the Northern Region to mark the birth of the Holy Prophet Mohammed founder of the Islamic Religion.

Damba is the third month on the traditional calendar and the occasion falls on the 10th day of the Damba month.

Due to the rotational nature of the traditional calendar, the day keeps varying.

Specifically, the people who celebrate Damba include Dagombas, Gonjas, Nanumbas and Walas.

On this occasion, all the paramount chiefs come together and meet at the King's palace to celebrate the festival.

In his address the Doliwura Awushie A. M. S. Zakaria (spokersperson of the paramount chief) on behalf of the Yabonwura appealed to Gonjas, people of Gonja extraction and persons resident on Gonjaland, and Gonjas in the Diaspora to eschew divisions, undermining, backbiting and all the negative things that would neither profit the land nor the people.

He said Gonjas were part of a greater Ghana and Ghana will not wait for them if they were not ready and look on askance while the ship of state moves on a determined course.

He pointed out that they pride themselves as being poineers of Ghana having arrived in Gonjaland as a faction of the Kingdom of Songhai under the great Askia Mohammed.

He added that they have therefore by dint of hard work and sacrifice taken great initiatives in olden times, in colonial times, and in the post independence era to make a contribution that has made Ghana the proud nation that it is today.

Unity he continued, therefore should stand proverbial and an example of Ghana and to our kinsmen and neighbours across the borders.

The Yabonwura stated that the most recent symposium on Gonja which was held in Accra was no doubt a sense of pride to him and all Gonjas because they could feel the spirit of Gonja unified and on the ascendency.

Touching on politics, the King mentioned that, Democracy and its bed fellow, party politics, is no doubt good for Ghana, but people should not stretch party politics to nauseating levels when they equate politics with enmity.

He urged everyone to be each others keeper and stand together to develop Gonjaland and Ghana as a whole.


He call upon all our allies of old; Grunshies, Sissalas, Chokosis, Vaglas, Nawuris, Nchumurus, Tampulumas, Hangas amongst others to join in the fight for peace and tranquillity.

He pointed out that, the institution of chieftaincy is about chiefs, legend, tradition, culture and everything that encompasses history.

He therefore appealed to all Gonjas to respect thier own constituion which they inherited from their forebears.

He mentioned that, Matters were handled at the Paramouncies in the divisions and where people are dissatisfied or seek other forms of justice they are free to seek the appellate jurisdiction of the paramouncy.

On Education, he lamented that, the long term effect of the lack of educational facilities has had a telling effect on boys and girls in Gonja with damning consequences for the girl child in particular.

In this regard he said, "I have taken inspiration from my good friend and majestic guest, Otumfuo to establish the Yagbonwura Tuntumba foundation to cater for youth education in general and for the girl child in particular".


He called upon the government therefore to support his concerns on education in Gonja by building new Senior High Schools in Yapei, Buipe, Mpaha, Daboya and Kusawgu. In addition he urged the government to do whatever is possibly to establish in the shortest possible time, Teacher Training Colleges in Salaga and Bole.

He noted that Gonjas accounts for one-sixth (1/6) of the land mass of Ghana and fifty-three (53%) of the land mass of the Northern Region.

Talking about health, Yabonwura remarked that health is vital to the well being of the people and the sheer mass of Gonjaland makes it harder for the people to access health care delivery.

He mentioned that Gonjaland have only three hospitals in Bole, Salaga and Damongo. He appealed to government to provide health facilities that will assist in responding to the Millennium Development Goals (MDG's) with respect to infant mortality and maternal health care.

Not forgetting about tourism which is one of the greatest potentials in the district, The king said Mole Game Reserve is truly a national asset and tourists flock to the reserve for a pastime or two.

However he said, the general feeling is that, it suffers from a lack of modernisation and increase in animal variety and population.

According to him, the time has come for government to engage the Gonja Traditional Council in a serious discourse particularly by the establishment of a Board of Trustees that would have a link with the traditional authorities and the people of Gonja.

On his part the vice president His Excellency John Dramani Mahama commended the king and people of Gonjaland for the peace the have maintain.

The Vice President mentioned facilities like schools, hospitals and water amongst others which plans have been far advanced to implement them.

The Akyempimhere Adusei Poku a representative of Asnatehere Otumfuo Osei Tutu II took his turn to address the gathering.

He pledged the kings support for Yabonwura's foundation.




BY: ATULE REGINA - DAMONGO

STARFUC HOLDS PRESS CONFERENCE

Soldiers for Transparency Accountability and Responsibility Fun Club (STRAFUC) of the NDC held a press conference in Damongo, the district capital of the West Gonja District of the Northern Region.

The press conference was aimed at outlining the achievements of the NDC government in the district for the past two years.

In his welcome address the constituency Youth Organizer Mr. Sorku K. Yahuza, mentioned that as a social democratic party their mission is to:

- Feed the hungry
- cloth the naked
- House the homeless
- Teach the illiterate
- Provide jobs for the jobless and to respect human rights with dignity

He disclosed that, Soldiers for Transparency Accountability and Responsibility Fun Club (STARFUC) of NDC was strategically established by its founding members among other things;

* To encourage national consciousness and unity among the youth in NDC
* The use of youth activist to win a soul for a day project for NDC
* The use of youth activist for house to house campaign and focus groups discussion
* to combat propaganda detrimental to the interest of the NDC and defend the
policies, aims and programmes of the NDC
* To study political, economic and social problems of Ghana, Africa and the world,
and to offer constructive criticism for the betterment of human race
* And also to use the media both print and electronic to propagate the programmes
and policies of the NDC

He was optimistic that through the hard work of its founding members, leadership and teaming supporters, STARFUC will withstand the test of time.

He lauded the DCE Hon. Adam Mutawakilu for his support for STARFUC and urged all DECs to emulate him and get all the youth united and prepared for the "Action Year".

Some executives of STARFUC took their turn and outlined numerous achievements of the NDC under the leadership of Prof. Mills for the past two years in the district.

The achievements range from the areas of education, economy, agriculture, physical infrastructure, health, environment and the social fibre of the country.

On his part the DCE noted that, the NDC government will always deliver on its promises to achieve the better Ghana agenda.

However, he implored everyone to support the government in this direction irrespective of their political affiliation.

The meeting brought together, members of STARFUC, some constituency executives and Assembly Persons among others.




BY: ATULE REGINA

WORLD VISION SUPPORTS MOLE SCHOOL

Authorities of the Mole Basic and Junior High School in the West Gonja District of the Northern Region have taken delivery of 40 dual desk and two set of teachers writing desk valued at GHc 2,100.00.

The benevolent gesture was made possible via the kind assistance of World Vision Area Development Programme (ADP) under the district.

The move was aimed at complementing government's efforts to promote quality teaching and learning.

In his remarks, the Area Development Programme Manager Mr. Paul Azeka disclosed that, World Vision has the vision to ensure that every child enjoys fullness of life regardless of the Child's gender, religion, location etc.

He mentioned that, World Vision International is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tackling the root causes of poverty and injustice, since 1979. He added that, World Vision Ghana has partnered with the people in rural communities to help build a better world for children and families.

He revealed that, the goal of all World Vision's ministries is the sustained well-being of children within families and communities, especially the most vulnerable.

He stated that, World Vision has defined four areas of impact on child well-being as follows.

* Girls and boys enjoy good health
* Girls and boys are educated for life
* Girls and boys experience the love of God and their neighbours
* Girls and boys are cared for, protected, and participating.

He said in line with these goals, World Vision Ghana started an Area Development Programme (ADP) in the West Gonja District in 2007. The goal was to work in targeted communities within the ADP to help them identify their most serious concerns and develop lasting response he added.
The manager pointed out that, ADP model enables integration of multiple interventions ranging from Water, Sanitation and Hygiene, Health, Education and Economic Development, Depending on the community's greatest needs.

He revealed that, World Vision typically works in an ADP for 12 to 18 years and aims to assist communities in ways that empower them to sustain programme outcomes after World Vision's assistance has ended.

On his part the DCE Hon. Adam Mutawakilu thanked World Vision for the kind gesture.

He pointed out that the NDC government has not relented on its efforts towards the achievement of the better Ghana agenda.

He disclosed that, government has provided about 1000 dual desk for onward distribution for schools in the district.




BY: ATULE REGINA