UER: Educated personalities, MPs, directors, and NGOs are the cause of the Regional underdevelopment—Balungu Chief.
Chief of Balungu a community in the traditional area in the Upper East Region Naba John Attia (Wmaribilsonga Niitinga/Putisonne maaletinga) says the underdevelopment bedeviling the people of the Region is a self-inflected one by the people themselves. Naba Attia made the interesting revelation on Saturday, July 9, 2022, when the Apexnewsgh.com crew visited his palace to digest issues of development relating to his traditional area and the region at large. However, sharing his views on the nature of underdevelopment bedeviling the region over the years, the chief did not miss words. He said: “I don’t blame anybody, I blame ourselves. Now, look at Bolga, look at Bawku, and look at Doba and Kandiga. It is our own people, our educated people, our MPs, our brothers who are directors and so on, they have let Upper East down”. Naba John also holds the view that those operating Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in the region have done the region more bad than good, especially with the huge resources they are receiving from their outside donors. An area he challenges the media to research and come out with the revelations. He insisted that those handling the donor’s dollars in the region are not Ashanti’s or the people from Ga but insisting they are from the region. “NGOs dollars, all those monies are handled by our own brothers and sisters here. Go and see, what are they using the money for? We have money more than Upper West when it comes to NGOs. NGOs started coming here when Upper West didn’t have NGOs. If you want to do research and look at the number of dollars that have entered Upper East here, those monies were not handled by Ashanti’s, we always say Ashanti’s are cheating us, they were not handled by Ga’s, they were handled by our own people here”. Naba John insisted Over a period, Apexnewsgh.com as a developmental-oriented online platform interested in the development of the Upper East Region has reported some of the gaps, when it comes to developmental achievement between some other regions and the Upper East region, especially with Upper West Region as a basis. The basic and common research conducted by ApexnewsGh shows that Upper West got their stadium with 5,000 capacity in 2006 whereas, Upper East Region has none, the last time we checked, the people of Kassena Nankana East Municipality were protesting for the completion of their abandoned sports stadium after 4 years of promising to hand it over to them as a valentine gift. Also, research by ApexnewsGh shows that the people of Upper West opened their airport for commercial flight operations on October 15, 2019, with service by Africa World Airlines from Accra via Tamale using an Embraer 145 regional jet. In the Upper East, the Airport promises brought division and unfortunately ended regrettably without even a drone center for the region. However, research by ApexnewsGh also shows that the people of the Upper West Region commissioned their Passport Application Center (PAC) in 2020 which is actively in use at this point. In the Upper East Region, the story is different. It took ApexnewsGh report in October 2021 and a follow-up to the authority. Then, in March the region received funding support from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to begin construction of a passport office. The construction is supposed to last for 3 months and as we write, is already 5 months the construction is still not completed following the land owner’s demands for land settlement. According to Apexnewsgh.com research, the 160-bed capacity Upper West Regional Hospital was made open to the general public on January 9, 2020, even after a little delay. Because President Akufo Addo earlier commissioned the US$ 52 million facilities in August 2019. Whereas, in the case of the Upper East Region, the $20 million between the government of Ghana and Saudi Arabia in 2019 for the completion of Bolgatanga Regional Hospital was truncated and it has since ended on that note without achieving the regional hospital agenda. Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana/Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: 05555568093
Churn-out credible and development oriented information –Stephen Yakubu to GJA Executives
The Upper East Regional Minister, Mr. Stephen Yakubu has called on journalists in the Region to churn-out credible and development-oriented information to help propel development in the Region. He said the citizenry depended on the media for credible information on happenings in the country to enable them make informed decisions. “For this country to move forward and develop, journalists are the ones to let everyone know what information is good or bad and how to put it out there,” he noted. Mr. Yakubu made the call when the newly elected executives of the Regional chapter of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), led by its Chair, Mr. William Jalula called on him to introduce themselves. The Minister called for collaboration and support from the GJA to work as development partners, saying “We need to work together as a region to find solutions to the problems that face us.” He said the problems in the region were self-induced, including the politicisation of every development issue, tribal conflicts, and cited the Bawku, Doba and Kandiga intermittent conflicts that drained the coffers of the respective Assemblies and retarded development. Mr. Yakubu said the Region had enough resources that could be tapped to solve the development needs of the people, and therefore urged the media to rally behind the government to achieve the development agenda of the country. Mr Jalula on his part, urged journalists to be circumspect in their reportage, and avoid taking sides in the course of their work. He appealed to the Regional Minister to pay attention to some road networks, the street and traffic lighting systems which he noted were faulty and did not befit the status of the Regional capital, Bolgatanga. The GJA Chairman proposed that drivers and motorists who knocked down the street and traffic lights should be arrested and made to pay for the damage caused. He appealed to the Minister to practice an open door administration, and encourage the various Municipal and District Chief Executives across the Region to practice same, so that journalists could cross-check their stories before they published. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Exclusive: See the woman who started slicing bread in the Upper East Region
As part of our mandate to support and encourage entrepreneurs and development in the Upper East Region Apexnewsgh.com has exclusively engaged the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Amazing Grace Bakery and Catering Service Christiana Mensah one of the finest entrepreneurs in the region. Apexnewsgh.com report Madam Christiana Mensah started her bakery business in October 2013, she is the originator of slicing bread in the Upper East Region and these and more are information most people in the region were not aware of till now. Meanwhile, notable amongst her production includes Sugar bread, wheat bread, butter bread, and millet bread. However, asking Madam Mensah some interesting questions about her bakery business, below are some of her responses. I am a teacher by profession but what I realized is that, when the children were growing up, you have to give them a good education, you have to give them a standard of living and looking at waiting up till the end of the month is not enough for me. So, I decided to venture into the bakery business. Bakery is something that my mother used to do those days and that is how come I started. The beginning wasn’t easy. I started alone, I remembered I would put the stuff, the floor, and everything into my car and drive to school and from there I come and mixed it myself and in the night, I would bake, and transport them to the shop myself before I go to school. So, it wasn’t easy. I started even with some small pastries going to church, that was before the bread itself. So, I make pastries just a little with an oven that I started with. I had a small space that used to be a goat pen but I realized that there was no need for that one again, because I couldn’t take off the goat. So I transformed the whole place, changed the place, and then started the bakery. So, in the beginning, it wasn’t easy all alone mold, put them into parts, arrange them, bake, packaging, and carry them alone to the supermarkets has not been easy Do you face any challenges with your workforce? For now, we have a problem with getting workers, because the work itself is tedious. So, when people come to ask for work, I tell them that the work is tedious and some come they stay and others come they go because of the difficulty in it. But currently, I have about six men am working with and I have decided not to work with any other lady again. Why are you not comfortable working with women? I have had experiences. For the ladies, those who have boyfriends will want to go and meet their boyfriends and at the time that you need them to work, they want to go. Some are married, they want to go back and meet their children or the family and that is also another challenge, when there is work you could see that they are putting pressure on you, they want to close meanwhile, work is not done yet and the other thing is that you know women when they are at a place they will be talking and all that. The last group I had, in fact, they go to the extent of insulting each other because one person is not doing what the other wants. So, when they left, I resolved that wouldn’t take a lady. I have one small girl who comes around during the weekends, she cleans and every morning she will come and clean before going to school. Men are productive more than women. That is my experience, I don’t know of other people but for me, I think the men are more productive. They work very fast, they know what they are supposed to do, and they are up to the task. Sometimes, the same quantity the women will do, when the women were there we go as far as 11 pm but with the men by 5 pm we are almost rounding up. What advice would you give to youth venturing into entrepreneurship? The advice is that, is not easy to venture into business. If you are not determined, if you are not focused, you can’t do it. It is not about gathering a lot of money to put into it, you can start somewhere, gradually. As I earlier said, I started with a small space and as time went on I had to break somewhere and add that space to it and at a point, I had to do another extension, that was when I started having my own machine in the house. And I must say, am the first person who started slicing bread in the Upper East Region. I was determined, I was looking everywhere and talking to people. So, don’t listen to people. When I wanted to start someone told me that at this place, they only get their leftover TZ and eat and they are good to go and some will say, this business people don’t start and stay here. But I was focused, I was determined to do it and I didn’t listen to what the people are saying. There is one guy who motivated me so much, the CEO REINSAMIRA DAILY VENTURES Reyhard Adongo, he has been my source of encouragement. He is the first person I spoke to and he told me to do it, I want quality, I want a good product if you give it to me, I would sell it for you. He gave me certain guidelines and that is what has kept me up till today. I owe him a lot and wherever I found myself, I gave that credit to him. What has been your observation as far as bread patronage in the region is concerned? The patronage is good. You know when I started, I didn’t expand my works, I was dealing with just some two shops and then
WATCH VIDEO: No factory, no devpt, nothing is going on in UE Region– Madam Melanie Kasise to President Akufo-Addo.
The Executive Director and founder of Sirigu Women’s Organisation for Pottery and Arts (SWOPA) Madam Melanie Kasise have added her voice on the issue of the Upper East Region under development which has become a headache, especially for those who mean well for the region. Apexnewsgh.com report The fearless and outspoken Madam Kasise in an exclusive interview with Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen of Apexnewsgh.com said: “We have not been able to get much as a region. Because from the time I was young till now, we saw the meat factory and the Pawlugu tomato factory but as it is now, they have all died out, they are not resurfacing and new things are not coming. So, it seems as if our region is a bit fainting as far as development is concerned. If you are always crying that there is no money, a child does not know that his father or mother doesn’t have this or that, when he is hungry, he is anxious to cry for whatever he or she needs and this is what the people of Upper East Region are all anxious about. We feel left out, please Nana come to our aid, you have got some children here growing up and would like to see the development grow with them. Upper East Region, since the introduction of government policy One Village One Factory (1V1F) has been struggling to even bring back the collapsed Meat Factory in Zuarungu and the Pawlugu Tomato Factory back to operation. Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: 05555568093
Breaking News: Avian influenza hits Upper East Region
Ministry of Food and Agriculture Veterinary Service Directorate in the Upper East Region has announced an outbreak of Avian influenza (AI) a disease of viral etiology that ranges from a mild or even asymptomatic infection to an acute, fatal disease of chicken, turkey, guinea fowl, and other avian species, especially migratory waterfowl. Apexnewsgh.com Reports Ghana reported the current outbreak on the 7th July 2021 at a farm in Nungua in the Greater Accra region, the outbreak has since been reported in 11 regions of the country. On the 17th of January 2022, a farmer from Bolga Zaare reported of a sudden deaths of 41 birds out of a flock of 500, a team of veterinary staff were immediately dispatched to the farm to investigate the cause of deaths, while on the farm another 30 died, Postmortem conducted on two dead and two live birds revealed cyanosis and hyperemia of the comb and wattles. Congested carcasses, haemorrhages in the Proventriculos, necrotic enteritis, ascites and greenish intestinal contents. Initial test with AI rapid Diagnosis test kit proved positive. Kindly find full details below: Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana/Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: 05555568093
UER MMDCE: Could this be true? alleged list of Upper East Appointed MMDCEs
According to sources close to Apexnewsgh.com, out of the 16 regions of Ghana, Upper East Region was the 3rd region that has gone through their vetting process on Friday and since after then, Saturday, Sunday and Monday, there will be no vetting because there are some other important engagements line up. According to our sources, the vetting committee is supposed to complete the vetting and submit the report to the president for further consultation and so on before the names of successful applicants are released. However, the names below are still in doubt as far as the list of appointed MMDCEs in the Upper East Region is concerned. Below is the social media list: Builsa South District Assembly Daniel Kwame Gariba Nabdam District Assembly Agnes Anamoo Binduri District Assembly Ayinga Yakubu Abagre Bawku Municipal Assembly Mogtar Bagaya Garu District Assembly Osman Kangar Musah Tempane District Assembly Anabida Issaka Bawku West District Assembly Daniel Atampuba Jr Pusiga District Assembly Abdulai Zubeiru Bongo District Assembly Peter Ayinbisa Talensi District Assembly Duanab Pearson Wuni Bolgatanga Municipal Assembly Rex Asanga Bolgatanga East District Assembly Anafo Joseph Atiah Builsa North Municipal Assembly Afoko David Amoabil Kassena-Nankana Municipal Assembly Aovare O. Philomena Kassena-Nankana District Assembly Mark A Ayamga Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana/Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: 05555568093
UER: Stephen Yakubu successfully gone through swearing-in
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo is swearing-in Regional Ministerial nominees who have successfully gone through the vetting process in Parliament. The appointees are taking the oath of office after receiving approval from the Parliament of Ghana. The oath-taking paves way for the appointees to now commence their respective jobs. However, The Upper East Regional Minister Mr. Stephen Yakubu has successfully gone through an official swearing-in ceremony by the President. Apexnewsgh.com report Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana/Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: 0555568093
UER: Dog meat shortage hits Sandema market
Dog meat sellers at Sandema in the Builsa North Municipality of the Upper East Region were disappointed when they visited the major market in the area to buy dogs and prepare for their customers. When the Ghana News Agency (GNA) at Sandema visited the dog market on which happened to be a market day in the Municipality, it observed that the usually filled market was deserted. There were however other animals such as sheep and goats for sale. Dada Bee, a popular dog meat seller at Sandema who expressed worry about the situation, told the GNA that “I went to the dog market this morning at about 0900hours only to realise there was only one dog in the market for sale. “We were six dog meat sellers in the market at that time, all bargaining to buy the dog. I was able to buy it because I offered to pay GHS 185.000 for what I would have ordinarily bought for GHS 140.000.” Dada Bee explained that it was a market day, and he could not afford to disappoint his customers, who usually trooped to his place to buy their favourite delicacy by midday. He said the situation had compelled him to increase the price of the meat, “I used to sell the thigh of the dog for GHS 25.00, but now, I am selling it for GHS 30.00, the neck which I used to sell for GHS 18.00 or GHS 20.00, now goes for GHS 25.00.” He said some customers who were aware of the shortage were comfortable with the prices, while those who did not know still bargained for the old price. “Though some customers will initially complain about the prices today, when I tell them the situation, they understand and buy at the price I offer,” Dada Bee said. Dada Bee and his colleagues could not give the exact cause of the shortage except to jokingly say “The people have eaten all the dogs”. The dog meat sellers usually move from home to home to buy the animals and also travel to other markets such as the Fumbisi, Yagba and Kubori markets to buy. “For the past week, all the markets could not give us the numbers we usually buy so demand for the meat has gone higher than we can supply”, they said. Mr Abdulai Arimeyaw, a Butcher, told the GNA that “I deal in sheep and goats, but we were all surprised this morning when we came and realised the shortage of dogs in the market.” According to him, there was general shortage of all animals in the market, which led to price increase. “Now unless you have GHS 200.00 or more, you will not get a sizeable goat or sheep, which used to be sold at GHS 150.000 to buy. I came and couldn’t buy any, and so I am returning home.” Owing to the shortage of dogs in the market, most vendors slaughtered pigs for their customers, while others shutdown their joints. The delicacy is usually served with powdered dry pepper and chopped onions depending on the buyer’s choice, and it is the favourite of many residents of Sandema and its environs. One of Dada Bee’s customers who was seated at the joint to buy his favourite part of the dog meat while it was on fire, said “I rushed here from my office to buy the meat and return. I just heard this morning that there was shortage of dogs in town. “But despite the shortage, I knew Dada Bee will not disappoint his customers. The only problem is that the shortage will affect us because the prices of the meat will definitely go up,” he said. GNA Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: 0555568093.
I am passionate about seeing that the living condition of the people of Binduri improves–Abanga Abdulai
The Member of Parliament for Binduri Constituency of the Upper East Region Abanga Abdulai said he is passionate about seeing that the living condition of the people of Binduri improves. Mr. Abanga revealed this in an exclusive interview with Apexnewsgh.com. According to the elected Member of Parliament (MP) for Binduri, the source of good drinking water in Binduri Constituency is a big worry to the people, adding that is one of the most difficult situations the people of Binduri are facing. However, He was confident that been given the opportunity by the people of Binduri, he would make sure they take advantage of his networks. “I am hoping that am going to put in my best for them to take advantage of the network that I have, the people that I know, I am passionate about seeing that the living condition of the people of Binduri improves. Because we have a lot of problems there, people don’t have good drinking water to take. That is one of the most difficult situations our people find in Binduri, they can’t get portable drinking water. So, people are so frustrated, life is so unbearable for them. If you see the kind of water people drink over there, you will cry. So, we are trying to get everyone good drinking water in the next 4 years”. “Of course, there are issues about health, accessibility to health centres, supporting people who are in schools, employment issue is a challenge, a lot of people have finish school and they don’t have jobs, those who couldn’t go to school are in skillful work and they need support to expand their businesses like tailors, head dressers, mesons, carpenters they need support so that they can go through their training and programme and have something to do”. “We have a lot of infrastructure problem we can solve, the road network is very bad in Binduri, you know a rural constituency sometimes was part of Bakwu, so now, we have to work out to make sure we open up the place support people with their Agriculture because everybody in Binduri is a farmer. So, we have to support them to make sure everyone enjoys a happy life”. He told Apexnewsgh.com in an exclusive interview. Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana/Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: 0555568093
UER: Dealers on local artifacts used in performing funerals cry for no patronage after President …
Upper East Region, is mostly part of the country in Ghana that has a special season for their funeral and burial ceremony of their beloved ones. And, these activities to them, is mostly done during the dry sea each year. However, Upper East is well known cultural area where people believe in performing some traditional activities and ritual during funeral and burial. It is on that note, that those dealing with the local artifacts used in performing the activities of funeral in the Upper East Region are crying foul after President ban Pronouncement on funeral across the country due to the increasing active cases of the dead coronavirus recorded. President Akufo Addo in his 23rd nation address, announced a ban on some ceremonial activities which includes funerals with no more than twenty-five people. “So, fellow Ghanaians, until further notice, funerals, weddings, concerts, theatrical performances, and parties are banned. Private burials, with no more than twenty-five (25) people, can take place, with the enforcement of the social distancing, hygiene and mask wearing protocols”. Meanwhile, it appears the President pronouncement, is not going well with those specialized in the local artifacts business in this part of the country. According to some of these dealers when Apexnewsgh.com visited the Ayia market in the Bolgatanga Municipal of the Upper East Region, they said, since after the 23rd address by the President, their daily sales has dropped drastically making it difficult for them to get their daily bread. However, their expectation was that, President should have waited a little till March ending to enable them sale their already stored goods which they eventually took loans to purchase. Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana/Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: 0555568093