The disbursement of the livelihood empowerment against poverty (LEAP) funds which was slated to have begun some four months back but had to be put on hold due to the conflict in Bawku at the time has finally taken off in a grant style.
In all, 97 people from four different communities benefited from a total cash transfer of GH¢2092. The communities included Barebare, south Natinga, Zawse and Yarigungu all within the Bawku Municipality.
The beneficiary received cash transfers ranging from GH¢ 16 to GH¢ 30.
According to the Bawku Municipal Director of social welfare, Mr J.B Ayaya the preparation to disburse these funds started in 2007 during which all communities were sanitized.
On the criteria for selection of people to benefit from the LEAP funds among other things included people who could not meet their daily or basic needs and also for people who were taking care of the disable and orphans.
“Even with these criteria it was the people themselves who identified who should benefit and also selected people who should over see the entire process. The staff of social welfare then went through the list of names; cross examined the list and made the necessary correction before the final list was concluded.” He explained.
Mr. Ayaya said the money is not free money as is being misinterpret in some quarters rather beneficiaries have to meet some conditions to enable them continue to receive the cash transfers.
He said all beneficiaries have to ensure that after taking the money, their children are enrolled in schools, register with NHIS, birth and death, complete their immunizations, and should not engage their children in child labor or allow them to be trafficked.
The Regional Director of social welfare Mr. Christopher Baboro said the LEAP program is not a mine day wonder because it has come to stay and in five years time all districts would be covered.
He said, there cash transfers are not aimed at vote buying but to assist some people who otherwise could not stand on their own.
We know that this money is not so big but would go along way to supplement the feeding of the benefiting households and individuals – He said.
The Regional Director of Ghana Post Mr. Ali Dakurah said Ghana post is happy to be a collaborator of this kind gesture of the government to assist the needed. He Ghana post provides several services which includes the instant money transfer.
He explained that it is through this instant money transfer that the LEAP funds are transmitted before disbursement is made to the beneficiaries.
The Bawku Municipal Chief Executive Hon.Abudulai Abanga was grateful to the NPP government for choosing the Bawku Municipality to be part of the 31districts nation wide to pilot this laudable program.
Hon. Abanga said this disbursement is the third cycle of payment however the beneficiaries within the municipality could not receive the 1st and 2nd cycles due to the conflict.
“Peace is an inevitable component of development and progress and any body that leaves without it would remain backwards.” He said.
He appealed to the people to give peace a chance and exercise maximum restraint in order to sustain the current prevailing peace in Bawku.
“With the situation now returning to normal I would urge everybody to use the security agencies and appropriate medium to seek for redness.” The MCE advised
He stated categorically that he the MCE and government have no interest what soever in the conflict or misunderstanding in Bawku and so would never ever take side.
He advised the people not to allow any politician to use the conflict as campaign material rather when such politicians come they should politely tell them to leave the conflict situation out of their politics.
The beneficiaries expressed their joy and thankfulness to the government when they received the money and wished the government continuous in office to help other people through its good policies.
JAMES DORGBETOR
MUNICIPAL INFORMATION OFFICER
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
PARLIAMENTARY CANDIDATES IN BAWKU PLEDGE THEMSELVES TO GOOD CONDUCT
Parliamentary Candidates for 2008 general elections in Bawku Central Constituency have committed themselves towards peaceful elections in Bawku.
One word that ran through their submission during the forum was the need for peace in Bawku, especially having emerged from conflict; they could not afford to plunge the area into a state of confusion again.
Stressing on the need for peace in Bawku in particular, the Upper East Regional Director of the National Commission on Civic Education (N.C.C.E) Mr. H.S Haruna said that Democracy goes beyond free and fair election since it is only one of the virtues of democracy “our past political errors which led to violent clashes and prejudices in our communities during and after election 2000 should mean something to us” he advised.
He continued that Ghanaians were looking for leaders who would consider every one regardless of their political linage.
Mr. Haruna cautioned politicians and legible voters to desist from vote buying and described it as counter productive and a criminal denial of the citizen’s right to freedom of choice citing what happened during the just ended primaries in some parts of the country.
Touching on the vision of the N.C.C.E, Mr. P.P Apaabey Baba, and the Bawku Municipal Directory noted that their vision is an effective independent democratic commission delivering quality civic education.
He added that as contained in the 1992 constitutions, some of the N.C.C.E functions are to create and sustain within the society the awareness of the principles and objectives of this constitution as the fundamental law of the people of Ghana.
Also to educate and encourage the public to defend this constitution at all times against all forms of abuse and violation.
He told the participants to have a vision of a peaceable municipality where peace is viewed as a deliberate effort to be made day by day and moment after moment by both natives and strangers.
The political candidates who were at the engagement forum included Hon, Mahama Ayarga for National Democratic Congress (N.D.C) Mr., Dramani Adamu New Patriotic Party (N.P.P), Roda Imoro Ayarna Convention Peoples Party (C.P.P) and Democratic Freedom Party Alhaji Imoro Nkum (D.F.P) all pledged to exhibit high standard behavior to ensure peace before, during and after the elections in Bawku come December 7.
Godwin Nkunu/James Dorgbetor (ISD-BAWKU)
One word that ran through their submission during the forum was the need for peace in Bawku, especially having emerged from conflict; they could not afford to plunge the area into a state of confusion again.
Stressing on the need for peace in Bawku in particular, the Upper East Regional Director of the National Commission on Civic Education (N.C.C.E) Mr. H.S Haruna said that Democracy goes beyond free and fair election since it is only one of the virtues of democracy “our past political errors which led to violent clashes and prejudices in our communities during and after election 2000 should mean something to us” he advised.
He continued that Ghanaians were looking for leaders who would consider every one regardless of their political linage.
Mr. Haruna cautioned politicians and legible voters to desist from vote buying and described it as counter productive and a criminal denial of the citizen’s right to freedom of choice citing what happened during the just ended primaries in some parts of the country.
Touching on the vision of the N.C.C.E, Mr. P.P Apaabey Baba, and the Bawku Municipal Directory noted that their vision is an effective independent democratic commission delivering quality civic education.
He added that as contained in the 1992 constitutions, some of the N.C.C.E functions are to create and sustain within the society the awareness of the principles and objectives of this constitution as the fundamental law of the people of Ghana.
Also to educate and encourage the public to defend this constitution at all times against all forms of abuse and violation.
He told the participants to have a vision of a peaceable municipality where peace is viewed as a deliberate effort to be made day by day and moment after moment by both natives and strangers.
The political candidates who were at the engagement forum included Hon, Mahama Ayarga for National Democratic Congress (N.D.C) Mr., Dramani Adamu New Patriotic Party (N.P.P), Roda Imoro Ayarna Convention Peoples Party (C.P.P) and Democratic Freedom Party Alhaji Imoro Nkum (D.F.P) all pledged to exhibit high standard behavior to ensure peace before, during and after the elections in Bawku come December 7.
Godwin Nkunu/James Dorgbetor (ISD-BAWKU)
I am not An NPP Agent –Declares Roda Imoro –Ayarna
The CPP Parliamentary candidate for the Bawku central constituency Madam Roda Imoro-Ayarna has described as preposterous and mischievous the falsehood being circulated around especially in the Bawku central constituency that she is an NPP agent planted to divide votes.
I am not an NPP agent neither have I been plant by any one to divide the votes of any parliamentary candidate in the Bawku central constituency. Rather what I am is a fully breed CPP woman and native of Bawku poised to win the parliamentary seat in Bawku she declared.
“What my detractors do not know is that I’m one of the CPP members who have taken the NPP to court over the sale of GT and wondered why I would allow myself to be planted by NPP at the same time” she said.
Madam Roda mentioned Hon. Mahama Ayariga as one of those perpetuating the falsehood and urged him to stop the cheap propaganda and conduct a clean campaign devoid of personally attacks.
My father Alhaji Imoro –Ayarna is one of the people who championed the crusade for Ghana’s Independence and a leading member of the CPP and that has been the tradition of my entire family –she explained.
“I am a unifier, approachable, and hardworking that is why I’m appealing to the electorate in Bawku Central constituency to vote massively for me and Dr, Papa Kwesi Nduom to champion their cause for him” she said.
She urged other parliamentary candidates to play clean politics and urged their followers to do some to ensure that the prevailing peace in Bawku is sustained before, during and after election.
JAMES DORGBETOR
MUNICIPAL INFORMATION OFFICER
I am not an NPP agent neither have I been plant by any one to divide the votes of any parliamentary candidate in the Bawku central constituency. Rather what I am is a fully breed CPP woman and native of Bawku poised to win the parliamentary seat in Bawku she declared.
“What my detractors do not know is that I’m one of the CPP members who have taken the NPP to court over the sale of GT and wondered why I would allow myself to be planted by NPP at the same time” she said.
Madam Roda mentioned Hon. Mahama Ayariga as one of those perpetuating the falsehood and urged him to stop the cheap propaganda and conduct a clean campaign devoid of personally attacks.
My father Alhaji Imoro –Ayarna is one of the people who championed the crusade for Ghana’s Independence and a leading member of the CPP and that has been the tradition of my entire family –she explained.
“I am a unifier, approachable, and hardworking that is why I’m appealing to the electorate in Bawku Central constituency to vote massively for me and Dr, Papa Kwesi Nduom to champion their cause for him” she said.
She urged other parliamentary candidates to play clean politics and urged their followers to do some to ensure that the prevailing peace in Bawku is sustained before, during and after election.
JAMES DORGBETOR
MUNICIPAL INFORMATION OFFICER
RODA IMORU-AYARNA IS CPP PARLIAMENTARY
The CPP in Bawku at the weekend by popular acclamation confirmed Madam Rhoda Imoru-Ayarna as its parliamentary candidate for the Bawku central constituency to contest in the forth coming elections in December
Madam Rhoda Imoru-Ayarna is 50 years old, Hotelier/caterer by profession and self employed business woman.
In her acceptance speech, Madam Rhoda Imoru-ayarna thanked the CPP for the confidence reposed in her and the opportunity given her to serve the people of Bawku when elected as its MP.
“I bring on board new dynamism and hard work to serve the good people of Bawku to ensure total progress and development of the constituency” she said.
Madam Rhoda said Bawku has been CPP town since independence and it will be returned to CPP come December this year.
She said she has studied the situation in Bawku and known that, unemployment, poverty, diseases and ignorance are the major causes of the misunderstanding in Bawku and is better placed to help the area with her rich experience.
Madam Rhoda said the people of Bawku are one people with a common destiny and should not allow any thing to divide them.
She therefore asked the people to vote massively for her and Dr. Paa Kwesi Nduom to deliver meaningful development, peace and prosperity to Ghanaians.
The Bawku Municipal Electoral Officer Mr. Bosco Azuh who supervised the acclamation ceremony said party politics is not a license for anybody to fight rather an opportunity to contribute once quota toward the development of Ghana.
“Anybody who engages him /her in a fight or creates confusion during political campaigns should known that the adverse effect of that persons’ conduct would tagged that political party as a party noted for such conducts” he said.
On the voters registration exercise, Mr. Bosco Azuh explained that the exercise is not whole sale registration for everybody rather for those who have just attained eighteen (18) years and those more than 18 but could not register for obvious reasons and warned that double registration is a crime.
He said the Electoral commission is a human institution and is ever ready to explain or assist anybody requiring assistance with regards to the electoral process
The constituency secretary Mr. Fuseini Musah said Madam Rhoda Imoru Ayarna has the backing and blessing of the entire membership of CPP in Bawku and are convinced of her victory in the December polls. He appealed to all political parties to preach peace and conduct their campaigns in a manner devoid of insults and personal attacks.
JAMES DORGBETOR
BAWKU MUNICIPAL INFORMATION OFFICER
Madam Rhoda Imoru-Ayarna is 50 years old, Hotelier/caterer by profession and self employed business woman.
In her acceptance speech, Madam Rhoda Imoru-ayarna thanked the CPP for the confidence reposed in her and the opportunity given her to serve the people of Bawku when elected as its MP.
“I bring on board new dynamism and hard work to serve the good people of Bawku to ensure total progress and development of the constituency” she said.
Madam Rhoda said Bawku has been CPP town since independence and it will be returned to CPP come December this year.
She said she has studied the situation in Bawku and known that, unemployment, poverty, diseases and ignorance are the major causes of the misunderstanding in Bawku and is better placed to help the area with her rich experience.
Madam Rhoda said the people of Bawku are one people with a common destiny and should not allow any thing to divide them.
She therefore asked the people to vote massively for her and Dr. Paa Kwesi Nduom to deliver meaningful development, peace and prosperity to Ghanaians.
The Bawku Municipal Electoral Officer Mr. Bosco Azuh who supervised the acclamation ceremony said party politics is not a license for anybody to fight rather an opportunity to contribute once quota toward the development of Ghana.
“Anybody who engages him /her in a fight or creates confusion during political campaigns should known that the adverse effect of that persons’ conduct would tagged that political party as a party noted for such conducts” he said.
On the voters registration exercise, Mr. Bosco Azuh explained that the exercise is not whole sale registration for everybody rather for those who have just attained eighteen (18) years and those more than 18 but could not register for obvious reasons and warned that double registration is a crime.
He said the Electoral commission is a human institution and is ever ready to explain or assist anybody requiring assistance with regards to the electoral process
The constituency secretary Mr. Fuseini Musah said Madam Rhoda Imoru Ayarna has the backing and blessing of the entire membership of CPP in Bawku and are convinced of her victory in the December polls. He appealed to all political parties to preach peace and conduct their campaigns in a manner devoid of insults and personal attacks.
JAMES DORGBETOR
BAWKU MUNICIPAL INFORMATION OFFICER
HEALTH WORKERS IN BAWKU URGED TO GO BACK TO WORK
Health workers in the Bawku Presbyterian Hospital especially the nurse who have been absent from work during the seven months with regard to the Bawku conflict have been assured of enough security on their way to work and at the hospital, therefore, should take advantage of it and go to work reputedly.
They were told to report personally to the Divisional Police Commander or call him on his phone number 0244598322 of any threat, intimidation or attack from anybody.
Those who will fail to comply with this new arrangement will face internal disciplinary measures by the hospital authority.
This assurance come as a result of unannounced visit paid to the hospital by the Bawku Municipal Security committee last led by the Bawku Municipal Chief Executive Abdulai Abanga. It was revealed that almost three-quarter of the nurses were not at post on the ground because of insecurity.
Speaking at a short meeting with the hospital management team and workers, the Bawku Police Divisional commander, Chief Superintendent Peter Mawong said that police were over in Bawku however the problem is between individuals.
He assured them all threats received by the police would be delt with accordingly. Citing himself he said “I have received many threats but discarded them because they are empty threats. Someone will buy a new chip purposely to threaten you and there after throw it away; those culprits can’t be traced because of the sophisticated nature of our network.
The officer commanding ABF in Bawku Major Frank Walanyo Agbebo reiterated the same message emphasizing that his men were on the ground with enough logistics 24 hours a day, therefore the nurses should reciprocate this effort to go to work promptly and regularly in order to save lives.
The Bawku Municipal Chief Executive, Abdulai Abanga said that the hospital that earned both national and international recognition is as gradually dying off because of the communal conflict, adding that the hospital is important to the government and the assembly therefore, would do everything possible to preserve its status.
Mr. Belko David Moli a spokesman for the Mamprusi Delegation re-echoed that there is peace in Bawku and pleaded with the health workers to go about their work in confidence stressing that the conflict is now over between the Kusasis and Mamprusis.
He confirmed this by saying yesterday how he went to Tensia, Atuba and Benguri which are Kusasis storing hold to interact with teachers and pupils and shared his experience with them as a former educationist.
The newly inducted General Manager of the hospital Mr. John Abugri told the workers to exercise patience and tolerate with one another as they work and put behind them what happened in the past seven months so that the hospital could regain its lost glory.
GODWIN NKUNU
ISD, BAWKU
They were told to report personally to the Divisional Police Commander or call him on his phone number 0244598322 of any threat, intimidation or attack from anybody.
Those who will fail to comply with this new arrangement will face internal disciplinary measures by the hospital authority.
This assurance come as a result of unannounced visit paid to the hospital by the Bawku Municipal Security committee last led by the Bawku Municipal Chief Executive Abdulai Abanga. It was revealed that almost three-quarter of the nurses were not at post on the ground because of insecurity.
Speaking at a short meeting with the hospital management team and workers, the Bawku Police Divisional commander, Chief Superintendent Peter Mawong said that police were over in Bawku however the problem is between individuals.
He assured them all threats received by the police would be delt with accordingly. Citing himself he said “I have received many threats but discarded them because they are empty threats. Someone will buy a new chip purposely to threaten you and there after throw it away; those culprits can’t be traced because of the sophisticated nature of our network.
The officer commanding ABF in Bawku Major Frank Walanyo Agbebo reiterated the same message emphasizing that his men were on the ground with enough logistics 24 hours a day, therefore the nurses should reciprocate this effort to go to work promptly and regularly in order to save lives.
The Bawku Municipal Chief Executive, Abdulai Abanga said that the hospital that earned both national and international recognition is as gradually dying off because of the communal conflict, adding that the hospital is important to the government and the assembly therefore, would do everything possible to preserve its status.
Mr. Belko David Moli a spokesman for the Mamprusi Delegation re-echoed that there is peace in Bawku and pleaded with the health workers to go about their work in confidence stressing that the conflict is now over between the Kusasis and Mamprusis.
He confirmed this by saying yesterday how he went to Tensia, Atuba and Benguri which are Kusasis storing hold to interact with teachers and pupils and shared his experience with them as a former educationist.
The newly inducted General Manager of the hospital Mr. John Abugri told the workers to exercise patience and tolerate with one another as they work and put behind them what happened in the past seven months so that the hospital could regain its lost glory.
GODWIN NKUNU
ISD, BAWKU
AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL ON BAWKU CONFLICT
The director of Amnesty International, Ghana section, Mr. Michael A. Brigandi has paid a two day working visit to Bawku to access at first hand the conflict situation in Bawku.
According to Mr. Brigandi, his meeting with the opinion leaders of the Kusasi and Mamprusi at separate meetings reviewed that both the Kusasi and Mamprusi are eager to see that the conflict come to an end but are however relying heavily on government to conclude her mediation efforts as soon as possible.
Mr. Brigandi emphasized that, the elders in particular have shown so much interest to see the end of the conflict in Bawku but the problem at the moment is the youth who must be given proper engagements.
He said the situation in Bawku is pathetic especially at Buabula where women and children were massacred because even weeks after the unfortunate incident, just by mere narration everybody including the elderly broke down in tears.
He said both sides indicated the high politicization of the conflict and appeal to all politicians to be circumspect in their utterances when it comes to the Bawku conflict.
He commended the Information Service Department and NCCE for their sensitization program on peace. He called on government and other stakeholders to give more resources to these department’s to deliver more educational programs because we need more education than the stiff curfew hours.
He urged government to take up concrete steps to resolving the situation in Bawku as soon as possible otherwise we may have to explore other means and ways available to Amnesty International.
JAMES DORGBETOR
MUNICIPAL INFORMATION OFFICER
According to Mr. Brigandi, his meeting with the opinion leaders of the Kusasi and Mamprusi at separate meetings reviewed that both the Kusasi and Mamprusi are eager to see that the conflict come to an end but are however relying heavily on government to conclude her mediation efforts as soon as possible.
Mr. Brigandi emphasized that, the elders in particular have shown so much interest to see the end of the conflict in Bawku but the problem at the moment is the youth who must be given proper engagements.
He said the situation in Bawku is pathetic especially at Buabula where women and children were massacred because even weeks after the unfortunate incident, just by mere narration everybody including the elderly broke down in tears.
He said both sides indicated the high politicization of the conflict and appeal to all politicians to be circumspect in their utterances when it comes to the Bawku conflict.
He commended the Information Service Department and NCCE for their sensitization program on peace. He called on government and other stakeholders to give more resources to these department’s to deliver more educational programs because we need more education than the stiff curfew hours.
He urged government to take up concrete steps to resolving the situation in Bawku as soon as possible otherwise we may have to explore other means and ways available to Amnesty International.
JAMES DORGBETOR
MUNICIPAL INFORMATION OFFICER
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