On Friday the 16th of July 2010 the MDG monitoring committee of west Mamprusi district was inaugurated at the Walewale lorry station under the auspices of the Northern Development Society (NORDESO), an NGO in Tamale and in partnership with Asiribisi Self Help Initiative also an NGO base in Walewale. Present at the occasion were representatives of various groups and organizations, local authority, the clergy and the general public. Also in attendance was a popular musician Abu Sadik who entertained the gathering from his new album. Adam “Maasa”, a popular comedian from Walewale could not be left out as he made everyone to almost laugh out their jaws with his news in Hawsa, English, Mampruli and French.
The project manager of Asiribisi Self help Initiative, Mr. Suleman Fatawu in his welcome address reminded political leaders about their promises and urge citizens to see themselves as stakeholders in the development of their districts. The Chairman of the occasion, Pastor Jonathan Banayiri encourage the clergy to preach about the millennium development goals at their congregations.
MDGs COMMITTEE MEMBERS – WEST MAMPRUSI DISTRICT
NAME | DEPARTMENT |
JACOB S JABUNI MUSAH MAHAMA CHILALA SALIMA ISSIFU MOHAMMED IDDRISU JAMA MUTAWAKIL ALHASSAN ISSAKA ALIMA YAHAYA MU-AZU MOHAMMED AZABU YAMUSA MAHAMA SAWRA ABUKARI SULEMANA SAASI SAIBU J. D SAIBU SURAKATU SAMPSON KOMBAT PASTOR JONATHAN BANAYIRI | LOCAL AUTHORITY YOUTH GROUP WOMEN GROUP PERSONS WITH DISABILITY STAFF (ASHI) STAFF ((ASHI) ASSEMBLY PERSON ASSEMBLY PERSON UNIT COMMITTEE DISTRICT ASSEMBLY G E S MINISTRY OF AGRIC MOSLEM COMMUNITY MINISTRY OF HEALTH ELIM - |
For any enquirers contact:
Asiribisi Self Helf Initiative
P O Boxt65 Walewale
OR
Mutawakil Alhassan
(Project Co-coordinator)
Tel: 0208291571
Sulemana Fatawu
(Project Manager)
Tel: 024802011
A PRESS RELEASE – BY THE CONCERNED NDC YOUTH GROUP IN WEST MAMPRUSI DISTRICT THE C.I.C INTERVIEW WITH DAVID We the concerned NDC youth group in the West Mamprusi District is making this press release to set the records straight to the recent publication which appeared in the Daily Guide Newspaper on the 15th day of July with the title, “Party members chase D.C.E”.
In view of this recent development in the district, we the concerned NDC youth cannot sit aloof for the few self seeking individuals to drag the good name and reputation of the district, the D.C.E and the party as a whole into disrepute.
We therefore deemed it necessary to bring to light the unprecedented successes chocked by the Hon. D.C.E ( Lord Sulley Abudu Zakaria) so far within his 15 months stay in office.
1. Within the educational sector, he has been able to execute the following projects.
- A well furnished community library in the Walewale Township.
- Two Teachers bungalow at Walewale and Nanguruma
- An orphanage school with office and accessories at Wulugu.
- A 3-Unit classroom block at Buayini.
- A 3-Unit classroom block at Wiyima.
- A 3-Unit classroom block at Yirangu near Kubori.
- A 6-Unit classroom block for Gbimsi school.
- A 6-Unit classroom block at Manga.
2. Health and Sanitation
- Establishment of a rural clinic at Loagri No. 2.
- Rehabilitation of 4 public toilets which includes the provision of pipe-borne water, electricity and polytanks.
- Successfully negotiated for additional medical doctor for the district hospital.
3. Rural electrification
- Acquisition of three (3) faced transformers and 100 low tension poles for the Walewale Township.
- 90 low tension poles for Kperiga.
- 40 low tension poles for Tampulugu.
- 100 tension poles for Wulugu.
- 35 low tension poles for Tinguri.
4. Other projects which has also been executed include; a modern building, well furnished to serve as a district magistrate court. The DCE in collaboration with the MP have procured 8 tractors which have been distributed to the various communities in the District. He has also used his managerial skills to decentralize the purchase of the government subsidized fertilizers in the various communities in the district to reduce cost and inconveniences on the part of the poor farmers to fulfill the President and NDC’s ”BETTER GHANA AGENDA”.
In view of the above successes chocked by the DCE – Sulley Abudu Zakaria Lord, it is however unjustifiable for any individual or group of persons such as the so called “West Mamprusi NDC Youth Association” to peddle such lies and baseless accusations to the extend that the DCE should be relieved off his post.
The Hon. DCE has been accused of making unpalatable statements and unilateral decisions. We refute these by stating that due diligence and procurement procedures were followed in the award of contracts. We also want to state categorically that no decision has been unilaterally taken without the prior approval of the assembly. For example, the purchase of the Nissan Navara pick-up vehicle for the assembly was approved by popular acclamation by the assembly members. This statement is therefore far from the truth as being alleged.
The second allegation codified in the Daily Guide that the DCE awards contracts and re-awards them to people is also far from the truth. This is because there has not been any contract that has been awarded and re-awarded. And there has not been any contract awarded in the district without going through the tendering procedure stipulated by the Ghana Procurement Law.
Furthermore, the amount quoted in the Daily Guide Newspaper for the renovation of the four public toilets, were outrageous and arbitrary. According to the Daily Guide reportage, the renovation of the 3 toilets cost 78 million Ghana Cedis and the other one with dimension 12ft by 6 at the cost of 75 million Ghana Cedis. However, the actual figures for the renovation of the 3 twenty seater toilets is GH¢23,658.00 and the other ten seater situated at Moshefong is GH¢7,564.00. Also his relationship with other members of the assembly as well as the stakeholders and elders in the entire district has been cordial.
We the Concerned NDC Youth Group and the general populace of West Mamprusi have observed that the current DCE is one of the best if not the best we have ever had in the district. Due to his firmness, principled, affable and disciplinary character, he is not easily manipulated or pushed over by self seeking individuals. We believe that, it is based on his unique trait that his detractors perceive him to be unapproachable.
We are fully aware of the fact that there are some big wigs within the party in the constituency who are pushing the so called Youth association to act ignorantly against the DCE for their own parochial interest. We are thereby assuring the good people of the West Mamprusi District that there will be a counter demonstration which will be represented by the good and well meaning citizens of West Mamprusi.
We therefore want to make a fervent appeal to his Excellency the President of the Republic of Ghana, Party executives and the regional minister to take a careful look at the performance of the DCE and judge whether he is going contrary to the functions ascribed to him by the Constitution of the Republic of Ghana and the party’s manifesto.
DAVID AMOZEBGA,
(Concerned NDC Youth Secretary)
20th May, 2010
The D.C.E of West Mamprusi District Inaugurates Census Implementation Committee at the District assembly hall.
Four water pumps had also been given out on high purchase to farmers to engage in dry season farming and expected to cultivate some 200 hectares of Maize around Kparipiri and Suhuluya communities.
Mr. Zakaria who made the presentation in Walewale on Thursday named the tractor beneficiary communities as Selinvoya, Boamasa, Mashio, Bulbiya, Zua and Nasia and was expected to cultivate as many hectares as they could and to support about 250 farmers each to help fight poverty in the district.
He said the tractors and the water pumping machines would help Kparipiri and Suhuluya communities to engage in dry season maize farming.
He said the District Ministry of Food and Agriculture officials had registered some 3,098 farmers for consideration by way of assistance to cultivate food stuffs while about 450 farmers in eight communities would also be assisted in seed and tractor services to cultivate the“jatropha” plant.
Mr. Zakaria appealed to farmers to make judicious use of the tractors and the pumping machines to increase food production to ensure that government’s efforts at using agriculture to fight poverty was achieved.
He said government was aware of the developmental needs of all communities and gave the assurance that everything would be done to ensure that people’s needs were addressed.
He appealed to the people to help government to carry out its “Better Ghana” agenda by maintaining peace and security in the district.
Mr. Zakaria later made a presentation of relief items to persons whose houses were burnt in Nakpaya early last month and appealed to the people to remain calm since the matter was still under investigation.
The relief items included maize, cow pea, millet, rice, robber buckets and mats, T-shirts, packets of roofing sheets and distributed among the 152 persons who were affected.
He concluded by mentioning some problems like the lack of professional teachers in the district, poor roads to the Oversea areas and high illiteracy rates. He therefore called on Government to deal with some of these problems in order to improve the situation.
Mr. Amidu Ibrahim the Country Director of V.S.O gave a brief insight into TENI and how the project is designed to bring about change for the girl child and those with disabilities. He also spelled out some of the problems that V.S.O and TENI had noticed in the three northern regions of Ghana
He mentioned the solutions to these problems as upgrading teachers training colleagues in the country, increase in the capitation grants etc. TENI is a girls' name and education for girls is of paramount importance. He therefore assured every one that the TENI Project will work with the District Assembly to improve the livelihood of women. TENI is founded to the tune of 3 million pounds by Comic Relief with an additional 1.5million pounds being provided by V.S.O to help. The TENI Project will also support the national scheme. TENI will work with S.M.O, Community leaders etc. and there are three research institutions, one in UK and two in Ghana
He ended his speech with a powerful statement "Working together, I know we can help to solve the problem of education in Northern Ghana. If we are victorious, we can look forward to a Northern Ghana that is thriving, free of conflicts, no longer a scar on the conscience of the nation but an active participant, contributing more than its quota to national development and where youth can see a future for themselves and their children
Next on the agenda was a drama by school children from Gbimsi. Entitled; “IMPORTANCE OF EDUCATION”.
It was now the turn for his Excellency Hon. John Dramani Mahama. He started his speech by first thanking every one for coming to witness the launch of such an important project. In particular, thanking the Gbimsi J.H.S for the wonderful and interesting drama staged. He explained from the drama that some parents think it is more important to be wealthier or to become a chief, giving a daughter out for marriage rather than educating her. Kayaye was another point the Vice President spoke on and advised parents and children to do away with such thoughts and take education seriously, since that is the only good way to make life better. He said that lessons learned from the play/ drama should be taken seriously. The Vice President also apologised to the gathering for his delayance in Tamale.
He mentioned some developments the N.D.C Government have started initiating in their sixteen months in power. They have setup agricultural mechanisms as stated in the N.D.C manifesto; they intend to construct bridge
He mentioned that in 16 months of rule, the N.D.C has worked with sound policies like free school uniforms and free exercise books. He called on every one to take on the responsibility of the education of the girl child. He stated some contributory factors affecting the girl child education were illiteracy and lack of professional teachers etc. He called on community leaders and members to see it as a responsibility too and not to leave every thing for the government, since we can all help to improve the provision of quality education. 50 years of V.S.O has been very instrumental in improving education in northern Ghana
He called on the people of Walewale to embrace the Project and encourage V.S.O. He concluded by announcing this as the National launch of the TENI PROJECT.
Closing remarks by the Chairman. He thanked the Chiefs and all the dignitaries for coming to witness the National launch of TENI PROJECT in Walewale.
DCE warns non-performing contractors
The West Mamprusi District Chief Executive, (DCE) Sulley Abudu Zakaria Lord has warned non performing contractors in the district to live up to expectation or risk having their contracts terminated.
According to him development of the district’s infrastructure was one of his cardinal interests indicating that any construction firm or group that failed to visit their sites one months after the award of any contract would have the job taken away.
This he noted was part of measures to weed out lackadaisical and non performing construction companies awarded various projects .in the area.
Addressing members of the assembly during its first ordinary sitting for 2010,’Mr. Zakaria commended some contractors for working diligently to the satisfaction of his outfit calling on others to emulate their example.
The DCE announced that the district which is a beneficiary of the District Development Fund (DDF) had been allocated seven projects at various sums to be undertaken in parts of the district.
All the projects he noted were classroom blocks except the construction of the Walewale Court House and a rural clinic at Loagri to promote justice and facilitate quality healthcare delivery respectively.
He was however not pleased with the poor revenue generation drive of the district calling for concerted efforts to enable the district’s revenue department meets its annual target.
According to him the district approved z budget estimate of GH¢ 124,054 but as at the end of March its Internally Generated Fund (IGF) stood at GH¢ 26,447.26 representing just 21.32% of the actual estimate.
The poor income generation he noted deprived the district adequate resources to embark on various developmental project urging assembly members to help facilitate revenue collection at their various electoral areas.
The DCE also proposed the acquisition of two new 4x4 vehicles to beef up the transportation at the assembly as most of its vehicles had broken down some beyond repairs
He was full of praise for the district’s security situation but condemned the breaches a few weeks ago by the residents of Nakpaya that led to the burning of houses and destruction of several properties adding that the police were still investigating the matter.
On energy, he announced that about 200 low tension poles had been procured for distribution to various communities to enable them get connected to the national electricity grid.
Concluding his address Mr. Zakaria bemoaned the conduct of residents using sticks, stones and corncobs in the public toilets indicating that these objects blocked the manholes making it difficult for them to be easily dislodged.
He called for attitudinal change and massive education on the proper use of toilets to avert this negative practice.
21 Houses Razed Down
Confusion over the construction of speed ramps between two communities has led to the razing down of 21 houses, including a tailoring shop at Nakpaya near Nasia in the West Mamprusi District of the Northern Region.
Dozens of residents have been rendered homeless while several properties, including barns of stored food items have been destroyed.
Officials of the West Mamprusi National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO), have been on the ground to access the situation and to find temporary accommodation for displaced persons.
A number of armed police and military personnel have also been deployed to the area to restore calm while patrols have been stepped up.
Sources revealed to C.I.C that residents of Nakpaya constructed the ramps to reduce the speed with which vehicles passed through the area and the hazardous dust they produced after receiving the blessing of their chief.
It is reported that one Abdul Rashid, a taxi driver plying the area, destroyed the ramps.
Though the situation provoked residents they put up efforts to repair the ramps.
According to our sources, Abdul Rashid, after noticing that the speed ramps had been redone, tried again to destroy them, but was pounced upon and subjected to a gruesome trashing.
He was rescued by some good samaritans and the matter was reported to the Nasia Police, who launched investigations into the matter.
But before any action could be taken, purported supporters of the taxi driver from Janga stormed the Nakpaya community and set a number of houses ablaze.
Stocked foodstuffs in barns were not spared as the inferno swept through the toils of residents, some of whom are now putting up with friends in neighbouring communities.
C.I.C, however, gathered that the problem had some chieftaincy undertones, as both factions are allegedly engaged in a long-standing unresolved chieftaincy feud.
Hon. Abudu Zakaria Lord, the West Mamprusi District Chief Executive (DCE), when contacted, confirmed the skirmishes but told C.I.C the situation is currently under control, hinting that both parties had been talked to.
According to him, a team of personnel from NADMO were on the ground to feed his outfit with adequate figures of displaced persons and enable him provide assistance.
He cautioned the people of the area to desist from taking the law into their own hands, advising they use appropriate channels to address their grievances rather than always resorting to taking up arms or burning properties.
Mr Zakaria disclosed to C.I.C that members of the District Security Committee (DISEC) have since visited the area and initiated talks with the feuding factions to find an amicable solution.
He, however, warned that anyone found culpable after the investigations, irrespective of his religious and political affiliation, would be dealt with according to the law.
