The world university Service of Canada (WUSC) now in Ghana has organised one-day training for 16 patrons of girls clubs in the west Gonja district capital, Damongo on Thursday, 16th February 2012.
The World University Service of Canada (WUSC) is an international NGO that has been in existence since the 1920s but first came to Ghana in 1957.
WUSC globally works in 24 countries across the three continents of Africa, South East Asia and Latin America to achieve Millennium Development Goals.
Moreover, WUSC vision is to foster human development and global understanding through education and training. WUSC believes that “education changes the world’ thus its objectives is to provide education and training to improve livelihoods, balance inequities, integrate vulnerable communities, promote health and foster social economic development.
Nevertheless, in Ghana, WUSC works in the basic education sector with a special focus on girls’ education. It seeks to tackle the low aspiration and achievement of girls, promote access to education and retention of girls in school and provision of life skills training for Girls.
The training aims at updating, patrons of girls Clubs in the district. The training was on gender strategy, gender concept, advocacy and gender advocacy.
However, presently, there are 6 existing clubs in Damongo since its introduction in September last year.
The facilitator Ms Patience Gamado, the Senior Programmes Officer of WUSC Ghana, said the organisation aims at forming girls club in districts that have gender parity, such as Damongo, Sawla and Atebubu.
She explained that, gender is link with development, and the gender perspectives tend to focus on women because they are the more structurally subordinated and disadvantaged within the existing system.
Gender focused approaches, challenges the status quo because advocacy changes attitudes and cultural practices.
BY SHALLOM LUMOR AND ATULE REGINA
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Monday, February 20, 2012
SOME COMMUNITIES BENEFITS FROM SMALL RUMINANTS
Most people cares and shares on Valentine Day, but sometimes on this occasion, only a few receives gifts from their loved ones. Some communities were not left out in the celebration, even though they were isolated and deprive from the good things of this country. World Vision Ghana in collaboration with the West Gonja District Assembly, have donated 700 female goats worth GH 60,000 to five selected communities and two Institutions in the West Gonja District.
The Beneficiaries were about 350 households in the selected communities. Some of the communities included, Mognori, Nabori, Kpiri, Bonyanto and Soalepe and also the Institutions were Redemption Children’s home and New life Preparatory School.
The purpose of the donation was to show care and love to the beneficiaries and to help reduce poverty in the communities. The support seeks to increase the capability of households to generate personal income and also to improve financial sustainability. It aims at helping each household to provide quality education and healthcare to their children.
At the Occasion, Hon. Adam Mutawakilu, the West Gonja District Chief Executive, in his address has express his sincere thanks to World Vision Ghana for helping the District Assembly, in solving the developmental issues of the district over the past years.
He said, the World Vision has been recognised as the first among all the Non- Governmental organisations who contributes in solving the developmental issues in the district.
He therefore promised that, the District Assembly will work hard to provide better working environment for the organisation, and has also urged the organisation to be supportive and cooperative in the progressive issues of the district.
He again, encouraged the beneficiaries to take good care of the animals presented to them and must make sure they use the income wisely for better living conditions.
World Vision Ghana is a Christian relief development and advocacy organisation dedicated to working with children, families and their communities in the country to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice in the district.
In presenting the ruminants to the community dwellers, the Area Development Programs Manager of World Vision, Mr. Paul Azeka, express his gratitude to the inhabitants for corresponding with them in their previous developmental projects. He said, over the past 4 years since the organisation came to the district, the organisation has been successful in most of their endeavours.
Mr. Azeka again explained that, with the help of the district assembly and all the decentralised departments, the organisation have been able to improve upon quality education of the children in the community, improved the health facilities of some community health centres and has also improve sanitation by providing some households with toilets in some selected communities.
The Chief of Soalepe Community, Mr. Mahama Idisa, in receiving the ruminants, expresses his sincere gratitude to the District Assembly and World Vision, he therefore promised see to it that, the inhabitants will take good care of the ruminants and also ensured that, thieves will not disturb the animals which will cause financial lost to the communities.
He however, revealed that, the only community basic school is not in good condition and the school has only reached Primary Six level. He said this has made education difficult in the community and has therefore asked the organisation and the government to come to their aid.
BY SHALLOM LUMOR & REGINA ATULE
The Beneficiaries were about 350 households in the selected communities. Some of the communities included, Mognori, Nabori, Kpiri, Bonyanto and Soalepe and also the Institutions were Redemption Children’s home and New life Preparatory School.
The purpose of the donation was to show care and love to the beneficiaries and to help reduce poverty in the communities. The support seeks to increase the capability of households to generate personal income and also to improve financial sustainability. It aims at helping each household to provide quality education and healthcare to their children.
At the Occasion, Hon. Adam Mutawakilu, the West Gonja District Chief Executive, in his address has express his sincere thanks to World Vision Ghana for helping the District Assembly, in solving the developmental issues of the district over the past years.
He said, the World Vision has been recognised as the first among all the Non- Governmental organisations who contributes in solving the developmental issues in the district.
He therefore promised that, the District Assembly will work hard to provide better working environment for the organisation, and has also urged the organisation to be supportive and cooperative in the progressive issues of the district.
He again, encouraged the beneficiaries to take good care of the animals presented to them and must make sure they use the income wisely for better living conditions.
World Vision Ghana is a Christian relief development and advocacy organisation dedicated to working with children, families and their communities in the country to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice in the district.
In presenting the ruminants to the community dwellers, the Area Development Programs Manager of World Vision, Mr. Paul Azeka, express his gratitude to the inhabitants for corresponding with them in their previous developmental projects. He said, over the past 4 years since the organisation came to the district, the organisation has been successful in most of their endeavours.
Mr. Azeka again explained that, with the help of the district assembly and all the decentralised departments, the organisation have been able to improve upon quality education of the children in the community, improved the health facilities of some community health centres and has also improve sanitation by providing some households with toilets in some selected communities.
The Chief of Soalepe Community, Mr. Mahama Idisa, in receiving the ruminants, expresses his sincere gratitude to the District Assembly and World Vision, he therefore promised see to it that, the inhabitants will take good care of the ruminants and also ensured that, thieves will not disturb the animals which will cause financial lost to the communities.
He however, revealed that, the only community basic school is not in good condition and the school has only reached Primary Six level. He said this has made education difficult in the community and has therefore asked the organisation and the government to come to their aid.
BY SHALLOM LUMOR & REGINA ATULE
WEST GONJA DISTRICT HEALTH SERVICE HOLDS ANNUAL PERFORMANCE REVIEW
The West Gonja District Health Directorates has held its annual Health Performance Review in the west Gonja district of the Northern Region.
The purpose of this review was to report on the progress made as well as successes and challenges faced during health delivery in 2011.
It was also intended as a tool for resource mobilization, strategic planning, research agenda setting, policy consideration and general information on the health status of people living in the District.
The District Director of Health Service, Dr. Chrysantus Kubio, in his welcome address, congratulated all the health workers for their generous works in the past years and urged them to put much effort in this year’s activities in order to improve health conditions in the district.
However, Dr. Chrysantus outlined some achievements of the health sector in the district. This included, the utilization of Ante-natal services which has increased by 12.8%, from 85.5 in 2010 to 95.6% in 2011, skilled delivery increased by 11% from 36.6% in 2010 to 39.6% in 2011 and the 1st trimester registrants has also increased from 28.3% to 28.8%
Other recognised success chalk during the year were, the Live birth rate increased from 97.1% to 98.0%, the admission rate saw an increase of 66/1,000 to 76/1,000 population and the under five malaria CFR has decreased from 0.9% to 0.8%. Also, the institutional under five mortality has decreased from 18/1,000 live births to 8/1,000 live births.
The various institutions in the District Health Service whose performances were reviewed involved, West Gonja Hospital, West Gonja Mutual Health Insurance Scheme, Damongo Community Psychiatry Unit, the Health Assistant Clinical Training School-Damongo, West Gonja District HIV/AIDS/STI Activities and the District Nutrition Sector.
Others included Damongo Sub-District, Mole Sub-District, Busunu Sub-District and Damongo community case management.
First of all, looking at the district health profile, the total population amassed was 90,616, whiles the Population Growth Rate was 2.8% and the total fertility rate was 8 children.
In the performance Reviewed of the West Gonja District Hospital, some of the activities recognized as achievements included the procurement of 100 new chairs and 7 new office tables to furnish the hospital, purchased of two grass mowers to improve the sanitation situation, replacement of all the baby courts in the children’s ward with twenty new beds through funds from carol singers of Germany and Construction of three (3) senior staff bungalows and also the purchased of SUV Hover from IGF.
Talking about the major killer diseases, cholera and malaria were given important attention.
The district recorded an outbreak of cholera that lasted for over two weeks.
The cholera was clinically characterized by a more sudden onset; watery diarrhoea; and associated abdominal pain, muscle cramps, and vomiting, which led to more dehydration and hospitalization.
On the other hand, malaria continues to be the greatest contributor to the disease burden in the district, accounting for over 50% of all OPD morbidity.
However, the numerous interventions that were undertaken have yielded positive results as the incidence continues to reduce for the past three years. The rate has reduced from 68% of all OPD morbidity in 2009 to 52% in 2011.
Yet, the cafe fatality rate (CFR) also continues to decrease. The CFR for children under five also reduced from 1.8% in 2009 to less than 1% in 2011.
Whiles IPT Coverage has been dwindling over the past 3 years with widening drop-out rates, ITN use in pregnancy remains unacceptably low.
A number of activities with support from the Global fund, ProMPT Ghana and WVI were implemented to increase informed demand malaria control commodities.
In relation to sickness and diseases the following success were chalked,
In-patient malaria mortality dropped by 0.4% from 1.2% in 2010 to 0.8% in 2011.
Average ANC visit increased by 0.7% from 3.3% in 2010 to 4% in 2011.
Penta 3 coverage increased from 53.7% in 2010 to 71.9% in 2011.
Measles coverage increased from 47.7% in 2010 to 61.9% in 2011.
Skilled deliveries rate increased by 2.2% in the year under review.
The utilization of ante-natal care has been sustained over 80% for the past four years. The coverage for the year under review was 95.6%. This represents a total of 3,464 registrants and 9,679 attendants clients who accessed care in all the health facilities across the district.
This represents about 13% increase in coverage as compared to the same period last year
Post Natal services continue to be low. A total of 1,817 clients received care after delivery.
Again in the skilled delivery, the rate increased by over 11% from 36.6% to 39.6% in 2011. This represents about 41% of ANC clients.
Policies on free delivery, NHIS enrolment and the adoption of quality improvement methods in all the areas of maternal health care are accountable for this.
Considering, the district family planning services, the district coverage for family planning offered in the period under review was 23.4% of women in their reproductive age. This figure represents a total of 5,098 new and continuing acceptors and clients who attended various health facilities in the district.
Even though good quality maternal health services are not universally available and accessible, 15% receive no antenatal care, 60% receive 4 times Pre-natal Care, 60% of deliveries unattended by skilled provider, 50% receive no post-natal care, and 70% had no access to FP services.
Special attention was given to issues of child care especially care of the neonates, all in an effort to achieving the MGD. This effort resulted in an improvement generally in the status of children under five.
Some major challenges identified included inadequate water supply in the hospital, lack of ambulance service, poor road network, inadequate technical staffs, and dilapidated staff accommodation and structures within the hospital.
In addition, limited resources, especially financial resource to institute attractive motivational packages to attract personnel to the facility was revealed.
BY MS SHALLOM LUMOR AND MISS REGINA ATULE- DAMONGO
The purpose of this review was to report on the progress made as well as successes and challenges faced during health delivery in 2011.
It was also intended as a tool for resource mobilization, strategic planning, research agenda setting, policy consideration and general information on the health status of people living in the District.
The District Director of Health Service, Dr. Chrysantus Kubio, in his welcome address, congratulated all the health workers for their generous works in the past years and urged them to put much effort in this year’s activities in order to improve health conditions in the district.
However, Dr. Chrysantus outlined some achievements of the health sector in the district. This included, the utilization of Ante-natal services which has increased by 12.8%, from 85.5 in 2010 to 95.6% in 2011, skilled delivery increased by 11% from 36.6% in 2010 to 39.6% in 2011 and the 1st trimester registrants has also increased from 28.3% to 28.8%
Other recognised success chalk during the year were, the Live birth rate increased from 97.1% to 98.0%, the admission rate saw an increase of 66/1,000 to 76/1,000 population and the under five malaria CFR has decreased from 0.9% to 0.8%. Also, the institutional under five mortality has decreased from 18/1,000 live births to 8/1,000 live births.
The various institutions in the District Health Service whose performances were reviewed involved, West Gonja Hospital, West Gonja Mutual Health Insurance Scheme, Damongo Community Psychiatry Unit, the Health Assistant Clinical Training School-Damongo, West Gonja District HIV/AIDS/STI Activities and the District Nutrition Sector.
Others included Damongo Sub-District, Mole Sub-District, Busunu Sub-District and Damongo community case management.
First of all, looking at the district health profile, the total population amassed was 90,616, whiles the Population Growth Rate was 2.8% and the total fertility rate was 8 children.
In the performance Reviewed of the West Gonja District Hospital, some of the activities recognized as achievements included the procurement of 100 new chairs and 7 new office tables to furnish the hospital, purchased of two grass mowers to improve the sanitation situation, replacement of all the baby courts in the children’s ward with twenty new beds through funds from carol singers of Germany and Construction of three (3) senior staff bungalows and also the purchased of SUV Hover from IGF.
Talking about the major killer diseases, cholera and malaria were given important attention.
The district recorded an outbreak of cholera that lasted for over two weeks.
The cholera was clinically characterized by a more sudden onset; watery diarrhoea; and associated abdominal pain, muscle cramps, and vomiting, which led to more dehydration and hospitalization.
On the other hand, malaria continues to be the greatest contributor to the disease burden in the district, accounting for over 50% of all OPD morbidity.
However, the numerous interventions that were undertaken have yielded positive results as the incidence continues to reduce for the past three years. The rate has reduced from 68% of all OPD morbidity in 2009 to 52% in 2011.
Yet, the cafe fatality rate (CFR) also continues to decrease. The CFR for children under five also reduced from 1.8% in 2009 to less than 1% in 2011.
Whiles IPT Coverage has been dwindling over the past 3 years with widening drop-out rates, ITN use in pregnancy remains unacceptably low.
A number of activities with support from the Global fund, ProMPT Ghana and WVI were implemented to increase informed demand malaria control commodities.
In relation to sickness and diseases the following success were chalked,
In-patient malaria mortality dropped by 0.4% from 1.2% in 2010 to 0.8% in 2011.
Average ANC visit increased by 0.7% from 3.3% in 2010 to 4% in 2011.
Penta 3 coverage increased from 53.7% in 2010 to 71.9% in 2011.
Measles coverage increased from 47.7% in 2010 to 61.9% in 2011.
Skilled deliveries rate increased by 2.2% in the year under review.
The utilization of ante-natal care has been sustained over 80% for the past four years. The coverage for the year under review was 95.6%. This represents a total of 3,464 registrants and 9,679 attendants clients who accessed care in all the health facilities across the district.
This represents about 13% increase in coverage as compared to the same period last year
Post Natal services continue to be low. A total of 1,817 clients received care after delivery.
Again in the skilled delivery, the rate increased by over 11% from 36.6% to 39.6% in 2011. This represents about 41% of ANC clients.
Policies on free delivery, NHIS enrolment and the adoption of quality improvement methods in all the areas of maternal health care are accountable for this.
Considering, the district family planning services, the district coverage for family planning offered in the period under review was 23.4% of women in their reproductive age. This figure represents a total of 5,098 new and continuing acceptors and clients who attended various health facilities in the district.
Even though good quality maternal health services are not universally available and accessible, 15% receive no antenatal care, 60% receive 4 times Pre-natal Care, 60% of deliveries unattended by skilled provider, 50% receive no post-natal care, and 70% had no access to FP services.
Special attention was given to issues of child care especially care of the neonates, all in an effort to achieving the MGD. This effort resulted in an improvement generally in the status of children under five.
Some major challenges identified included inadequate water supply in the hospital, lack of ambulance service, poor road network, inadequate technical staffs, and dilapidated staff accommodation and structures within the hospital.
In addition, limited resources, especially financial resource to institute attractive motivational packages to attract personnel to the facility was revealed.
BY MS SHALLOM LUMOR AND MISS REGINA ATULE- DAMONGO
2 DAY REFRESHER TRAINING FOR 50 LOWER PRIMARY TEACHERS.
The Ghana Education Service in collaboration with the West Gonja Area Development Programme under World Vision Ghana has organized a 2day refresher training for 50 lower primary school teachers in Damongo, the District capital of Gonja west.
The Training started on January 25, 2012 and ended on January 26, 2012 successfully.
The endeavor was to train the teachers on areas such as lesson note preparations, classroom management, Teacher/pupil relationships, teacher learning materials preparations, school administration and identification of specialized children and how to manage them.
Moreover, the teachers were taught skills in teaching lower primary pupils and how to get their own learning materials ready for teaching.
In addition, they were also shown the signs to look out for in identifying special needs children and how to handle them with care and love.
The Participants were from some selected public schools as well as Private Schools.
These teachers were from some surrounding communities including larabanga, Nabori, SorNo3, Atsubunyor, Frafra Settlement, and Canteen.
The teachers respond and participation was encouraging and heartwarming.
However, the well –resourced facilitators were Mr. Katribi Dramani the Basic Education and Special Needs Officer of Ghana Education Service, Mrs. Abiba Baba, the Deputy Director Planning Officer of GES and Mr. Baba Roland the Headmaster of Canteen Junior High School.
By SHALLOM LUMOR AND MISS REGINA ATULE
The Training started on January 25, 2012 and ended on January 26, 2012 successfully.
The endeavor was to train the teachers on areas such as lesson note preparations, classroom management, Teacher/pupil relationships, teacher learning materials preparations, school administration and identification of specialized children and how to manage them.
Moreover, the teachers were taught skills in teaching lower primary pupils and how to get their own learning materials ready for teaching.
In addition, they were also shown the signs to look out for in identifying special needs children and how to handle them with care and love.
The Participants were from some selected public schools as well as Private Schools.
These teachers were from some surrounding communities including larabanga, Nabori, SorNo3, Atsubunyor, Frafra Settlement, and Canteen.
The teachers respond and participation was encouraging and heartwarming.
However, the well –resourced facilitators were Mr. Katribi Dramani the Basic Education and Special Needs Officer of Ghana Education Service, Mrs. Abiba Baba, the Deputy Director Planning Officer of GES and Mr. Baba Roland the Headmaster of Canteen Junior High School.
By SHALLOM LUMOR AND MISS REGINA ATULE
PUBLIC EDUCATION CAMPAIGN JANUARY 2012
It is said that one’s health is one’s wealth and like all things precious, it needs to be guarded. There is a growing awareness, not just among the general public, but within the food industry of the importance of healthy lifestyles and good nutrition.
The incidence of malnutrition and diet related chronic diseases among children is persistently high and are increasing in the district and the nation at large.
Besides, according to the world malaria report 2011, there were 216 million cases of malaria and an estimated 655 000 deaths in 2010. Most deaths occur among children living in Africa where a child dies every minute of malaria and the disease accounts for approximately 22% of all childhood deaths
However, reports from the west Gonja district directorate of health indicates that In-patient malaria mortality dropped by 0.4% from 1.2% in 2010 to 0.8% in 2011.
Reducing the impact of malaria and the extent of malnutrition in the district and nation at large is key to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals. These include not only combating the disease itself, but also goals related to women's and children's rights and health, access to education and the reduction of extreme poverty.
In response to this, a 7 Day Public Education Campaign on Food Nutritional Values and Malaria Prevention has been organized for Twenty (20) Selected Communities in the West Gonja District of the Northern Region.
The Programme was an initiative of the Information Services Department in Conjunction with NCCE, Ghana Health Service and the District Assembly with financial support from the West Gonja Area Development Programme under World Vision Ghana.
The move was part of efforts to deepen education on the menace of malaria and to emphasize on the importance and the need for people to adopt preventive measures against the disease.
Also, the programme aimed at providing nutrition messages to ensure that families adopt healthy lifestyles and improve their nutritional values.
The nutritional value campaign targeted ten (10) women groups especially nursing mothers in ten selected communities.
The programme started on 23rd January and ended on 27th January 2012.
Mrs. Mavis Kora the Nutrition Officer of the District Directorate of Health facilitated the talk in all the communities. She mentioned four basic issues which were important in one’s life, thus food, water, exercise and rest.
However, the major discussion centered on food nutritional value thus, protein, carbohydrates, vitamins and fats and oil.
The education involved information to women about nutrition and helping individuals to develop attitudes, skills and confidence that they need to improve their nutrition and to reduce all types of nutritional disorders.
About 300 women and 30 men participated in the programme.
The communities included Kanato, Grupe, Kabampe, Larabanga, Yipala and Nabori. The others are Canteen, Murugu and Mognori.
Besides, Mr. Duut Kombian the district environmental officer led the talk on malaria prevention in all the communities.
The talk was centered on five topics,
1. What is malaria
2. The types of malaria parasites and its infections
3. The causes of malaria
4. Preventive methods
5. Recommended drugs for malaria treatment
Over 500 people participated in the programme.
The communities visited include Sori No. 1, 2 and 3Busunu, Mempaesem, Tailorpe and Bonyanto. The rest were Achubunyo, Soalepe and Jonoponto.
The programme started on 30th January and ended on 1st February 2012.
Concerns raised from some members who use Insecticide-treated mosquito nets (ITNs) indicated that they do not have access to chemicals for retreatment after washing.
Also, some complained of inadequate ITNs provided to them and their inability to buy the ITNs due to financial constraints.
Similarly, some members also expressed concern with regard to the nature of the ITNs. They explained that sleeping under the ITNs generates a lot of heat since much air cannot pass through it.
Response from some communities indicated that they have little knowledge about nutritional values of food.
It was also clear that most of the women did not have much knowledge about the nutritional value of some foodstuff which were common and known to them and hence, under utilize them.
Similarly, it was evidence that most people have heard about malaria, however they do not have much knowledge about its effects.
Also, they do not know that malaria is a deadly disease and hence attach little importance to its preventive measures.
However, most people were enlightened after the programme and expressed delight for the information shared with them. It is hope that this programme will enhance their health
It is recommended that more of such programmes be organized to benefit other communities. We must continue to be relentless in promoting healthy lifestyle behaviors across the population.
The facilitation team was made up of Mrs. Atule Regina District Information Officer, Mr. Stanley Z. Mahama NCCE, Mr. Duut Kombian Environmental Health Unit, Ms Shallom Lumor Information Service (journalist) and Mr. Moro (driver).
BY REGINA ATULE
The incidence of malnutrition and diet related chronic diseases among children is persistently high and are increasing in the district and the nation at large.
Besides, according to the world malaria report 2011, there were 216 million cases of malaria and an estimated 655 000 deaths in 2010. Most deaths occur among children living in Africa where a child dies every minute of malaria and the disease accounts for approximately 22% of all childhood deaths
However, reports from the west Gonja district directorate of health indicates that In-patient malaria mortality dropped by 0.4% from 1.2% in 2010 to 0.8% in 2011.
Reducing the impact of malaria and the extent of malnutrition in the district and nation at large is key to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals. These include not only combating the disease itself, but also goals related to women's and children's rights and health, access to education and the reduction of extreme poverty.
In response to this, a 7 Day Public Education Campaign on Food Nutritional Values and Malaria Prevention has been organized for Twenty (20) Selected Communities in the West Gonja District of the Northern Region.
The Programme was an initiative of the Information Services Department in Conjunction with NCCE, Ghana Health Service and the District Assembly with financial support from the West Gonja Area Development Programme under World Vision Ghana.
The move was part of efforts to deepen education on the menace of malaria and to emphasize on the importance and the need for people to adopt preventive measures against the disease.
Also, the programme aimed at providing nutrition messages to ensure that families adopt healthy lifestyles and improve their nutritional values.
The nutritional value campaign targeted ten (10) women groups especially nursing mothers in ten selected communities.
The programme started on 23rd January and ended on 27th January 2012.
Mrs. Mavis Kora the Nutrition Officer of the District Directorate of Health facilitated the talk in all the communities. She mentioned four basic issues which were important in one’s life, thus food, water, exercise and rest.
However, the major discussion centered on food nutritional value thus, protein, carbohydrates, vitamins and fats and oil.
The education involved information to women about nutrition and helping individuals to develop attitudes, skills and confidence that they need to improve their nutrition and to reduce all types of nutritional disorders.
About 300 women and 30 men participated in the programme.
The communities included Kanato, Grupe, Kabampe, Larabanga, Yipala and Nabori. The others are Canteen, Murugu and Mognori.
Besides, Mr. Duut Kombian the district environmental officer led the talk on malaria prevention in all the communities.
The talk was centered on five topics,
1. What is malaria
2. The types of malaria parasites and its infections
3. The causes of malaria
4. Preventive methods
5. Recommended drugs for malaria treatment
Over 500 people participated in the programme.
The communities visited include Sori No. 1, 2 and 3Busunu, Mempaesem, Tailorpe and Bonyanto. The rest were Achubunyo, Soalepe and Jonoponto.
The programme started on 30th January and ended on 1st February 2012.
Concerns raised from some members who use Insecticide-treated mosquito nets (ITNs) indicated that they do not have access to chemicals for retreatment after washing.
Also, some complained of inadequate ITNs provided to them and their inability to buy the ITNs due to financial constraints.
Similarly, some members also expressed concern with regard to the nature of the ITNs. They explained that sleeping under the ITNs generates a lot of heat since much air cannot pass through it.
Response from some communities indicated that they have little knowledge about nutritional values of food.
It was also clear that most of the women did not have much knowledge about the nutritional value of some foodstuff which were common and known to them and hence, under utilize them.
Similarly, it was evidence that most people have heard about malaria, however they do not have much knowledge about its effects.
Also, they do not know that malaria is a deadly disease and hence attach little importance to its preventive measures.
However, most people were enlightened after the programme and expressed delight for the information shared with them. It is hope that this programme will enhance their health
It is recommended that more of such programmes be organized to benefit other communities. We must continue to be relentless in promoting healthy lifestyle behaviors across the population.
The facilitation team was made up of Mrs. Atule Regina District Information Officer, Mr. Stanley Z. Mahama NCCE, Mr. Duut Kombian Environmental Health Unit, Ms Shallom Lumor Information Service (journalist) and Mr. Moro (driver).
BY REGINA ATULE
PUBLIC EDUCATION CAMPAIGN JANUARY 2012
A two week Public Education Campaign on the 2012 budget has ended successfully in the West Gonja District of the Northern Region.
The campaign which was jointly organized by the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning and the Ministry of Information aimed at educating and informing Ghanaians on the achievements of the Government in the previous year and being accountable to its people as well as creating a way forward in 2012.
The campaign started on 4th January, 2012 and ended on, 14th January 2012.
The campaign covered about 80% of the communities in the district.
The crew had talks in all the communities without any film show.
Communities in four Area Councils namely Damongo town council, Busunu Area Council, Larabanga area council and Daboya Area Council were covered.
Besides, communities in two area councils in the overseas namely Mankarigu and Lingbinsi could not be covered due to financial constraints.
The exercise really attracted the attention of over 30,000 people who would move closer or stop whatever they did to listen attentively.
Poor road network and limited financial resources were some of the challenges encountered.
It is very difficult moving into all the corridors of the West Gonja District due to the scattered nature of communities
Comments from Audience
Even though, according to many of these listeners the Government has performed marvelously well over the past three years work is still slow.
To others, who have travelled out to other regions, their critical and urgent needs in their communities and work places have not been given attention and the little to benefit is dealt in a lackadaisical manner.
The concerns range from electricity, health centres and portable water.
Most people also expressed disappointment about the delay on the construction of the Fulfulso-Damongo-Sawla road.
However some farmers expressed gratitude for the various interventions government is undertaken to boost agriculture and urged that such interventions will be expanded to benefit most of the communities.
Crew
The Crew was made up of Miss Regina Atule the District Officer, Mr. Braimah Shirazu Cineme Commentator and Yerina Bulbase Assistant Mobile Cinema Operator.
Conclusion
The information service department is a powerful source of disseminating information to the grass root level, hence should be well resource to enable it carry out the task effectively. Government should be committed in constructing the Sawla Fufulso road which has become a major barrier to the development of the district.
BY BRAIMAH SHIRAZU AND REGINA ATULE
The campaign which was jointly organized by the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning and the Ministry of Information aimed at educating and informing Ghanaians on the achievements of the Government in the previous year and being accountable to its people as well as creating a way forward in 2012.
The campaign started on 4th January, 2012 and ended on, 14th January 2012.
The campaign covered about 80% of the communities in the district.
The crew had talks in all the communities without any film show.
Communities in four Area Councils namely Damongo town council, Busunu Area Council, Larabanga area council and Daboya Area Council were covered.
Besides, communities in two area councils in the overseas namely Mankarigu and Lingbinsi could not be covered due to financial constraints.
The exercise really attracted the attention of over 30,000 people who would move closer or stop whatever they did to listen attentively.
Poor road network and limited financial resources were some of the challenges encountered.
It is very difficult moving into all the corridors of the West Gonja District due to the scattered nature of communities
Comments from Audience
Even though, according to many of these listeners the Government has performed marvelously well over the past three years work is still slow.
To others, who have travelled out to other regions, their critical and urgent needs in their communities and work places have not been given attention and the little to benefit is dealt in a lackadaisical manner.
The concerns range from electricity, health centres and portable water.
Most people also expressed disappointment about the delay on the construction of the Fulfulso-Damongo-Sawla road.
However some farmers expressed gratitude for the various interventions government is undertaken to boost agriculture and urged that such interventions will be expanded to benefit most of the communities.
Crew
The Crew was made up of Miss Regina Atule the District Officer, Mr. Braimah Shirazu Cineme Commentator and Yerina Bulbase Assistant Mobile Cinema Operator.
Conclusion
The information service department is a powerful source of disseminating information to the grass root level, hence should be well resource to enable it carry out the task effectively. Government should be committed in constructing the Sawla Fufulso road which has become a major barrier to the development of the district.
BY BRAIMAH SHIRAZU AND REGINA ATULE
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