Mr Abdul Rahaman Ibrahim, GNUTS Coordinating Secretary said the Bolgatanga and Wa Polytechnics, which are also facing challenges of low intake of students should be converted into technical universities to forestall their collapse.

He explained that following the conversion of some of the nation’s polytechnics into technical universities in September 2016, leaving behind the Bolgatanga and Wa Polytechnics, the two institutions are now experiencing a serious decline in enrollment.

Mr Ibrahim made the appeal at a press conference to outline GNUTS’s grievances to government for redress.

Other GNUTS officials at the meeting included Mohammed Kamaru-Deen, Presideent; Bawa Alhassan, Treasurer; Andrews Obeng Tuwmasi, Public Relatiosn Officer; and Ms Sandra Iddrisu Agoli, Women Commissioner.

The rest are Issah Abdul Somed, Research Officer; Alhassan Abdul Mutalib, GNUTS Ambassador; Ernest Addison, Accra Technical University Students Representative Council (SRC) President; and Ms Selina Assane, Accra Technical University SRC Women Commissioner.

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Source: GNA

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According to the families, On June 22, 2017, Mr. James Akuntubego Nsobire was knocked and killed by a car driven by a senior mortuary attendant of the Bolgatanga regional hospital, Daniel Alhassan Azaah on the Bolga-Bongo road.

The families said, the accident was reported to the Bolgatanga police after Daniel Azaah fled the scene leaving the deceased on the road resulting in the burning of his vehicle.

On 23rd June when relatives of the deceased went to the Bolgatanga Regional morgue for his remains for burial, they spotted the alleged killer of the deceased Daniel Azaah , the mortuary attendant with a bottle of beer.

Angered by the posture of Daniel Azaah, an argument ensued between him and relatives of the deceased, during which Mr. Azaah allegedly pulled out a gun threatening to shoot at the people around, but police intervened and arrested four persons including the assembly member for Yorogo, Peter Adongo.

The youth besieged the Bolgatanga municipal police station to inquire about the arrest of the four, but police in an attempt to disperse the crowd shot at the crowd hitting Thomas Ameseya and Peter Anaba who were on a motor bike.

Mr. Thomas Ameseya and Peter Anaba both died on Saturday June 24, while receiving medical treatment at the Bolgatanga Regional Hospital, and were buried on Thursday 29th and Friday 30th June 2017 respectively.

But the bereaved families and people of Yorogo, in a press release signed by Adongo Isaac, expressed lack of trust in the Bolgatanga Municipal police command to investigate and unravel the mystery surrounding the unfortunate death of the three.

“We wish to appeal to the Minister of Interior Ambrose Dery, Inspector General of Police Asante Appeatu and for that matter the government through the regional police commander DCOP Vincent Redeemer and the Upper East Regional Minister Rockson Bukari, to set an independent committee to investigate the matter thoroughly since we have lost complete trust that, the Bolgatanga Municipal Police command can conduct investigation into the death of our three brothers on neutral grounds.”

Meanwhile, the Bolgatanga Municipal police commander, Superintendent Samuel Punobyin, has declined commenting on the matter, but indicated that, his outfit has commenced investigations into it.

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By: Frederick Awuni/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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According to the Association, a successful implementation of the One-District, One-Factory requires huge human resource with technical and innovation background hence the urgent need for  the conversion.

The National President of TUAAG Mohammed Kamal-Deen Alhassan disclosed this at the 7th Annual Delegates Conference of Technical Universities Administrators Association of Ghana held at the Bolgatanga Polytechnic in the Upper East Region.

“Eight out of the ten polytechnics have been converted into technical universities, it would be impossible if not, collapse the remaining two polytechnics to survive. One of the vision of government is the One District One Factory and technical education is going to be the focus of this drive because it is suppose to provide the human resource for these factories.

…..And if we (government) do not convert the Bolgatanga and Wa polytechnics into technical universities then we are depriving these regions of the One District One Factory policy of government. So we (TUAAG) are appealing to government to urgently convert these two polytechnics into technical universities to explore their full potential and prospects of this noble policy.”

Mr. Alhassan also entreated government to constitute new governing councils for the various technical universities to draft and implement their conditions of service.

“These technical universities, so converted, can only strive based on our conditions of service. The technical university Act mandate the respective councils to come out with our conditions of service but we do not have these councils in place so we(TUAAG) are appealing to government to expedite action in constituting these councils  so that we could have actual technical universities in place.”

The conference was on the theme: The Role of Technical University in the implementation of the One- District, One- Factory policy.

For his part, the Upper East Regional Minister Rockson Bukari assured TUAAG to government’s commitment to converting the Bolgatanga and Wa polytechnics into technical universities in due course.

Mr. Rockson said, technical universities will be assisted to refocus on technical education which produces competent manpower that underpins the success of government’s industrial revolution of the One-District, One-Factory, One-Village, One-Dam among others pro-poor policies.

He said government will also complete the process of replacing the Book and Research allowances with a Research fund to facilitate further research and innovation by lecturers.

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By: Frederick Awuni/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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All the 29 assembly members voted in favour of the nominee in his second confirmation sitting.

The DCE nominee for Bongo, Peter Ayimbisa Ayamga, was also confirmed with 85.18 percent of the vote.

Of the 54 assembly members present, 46 voted in favour of the nominee while 7 voted against his nomination.

Also at the Bolgatanga Municipal assembly, MCE nominee, Joseph Ameyure Atura was endorsed by 92.4 percent of assembly members. Of the 53 members, 49 voted in his favour while 4 voted against his nomination.

The endorsements were supervised by the respective Districts and Municipal electoral commissions and witnessed by the Upper East Regional Minister, Mr. Rockson Bukari Ayine and his deputy, the NPP Regional Chairman, Ibrahim Mohammed Murtala, and other dignitaries.

The Regional Minister,  Rockson Bukari swore in the confirmed the Bolga Municipal Assembly, Talensi and Bongo MDCEs, Mr. Joseph Ameyure, Mr. Christopher Someteima  and Mr. Peter Ayimbisa  into office.

Mr. Rockson Bukari commended the assembly members’ for the massive endorsement of the President’s nominees and urged them to support and ensure that all good policies of the government were implemented to bring development to the people.

He advised the  MDCEs to operate an open-door policy so that the people would be able to contribute their quota towards the development of the area.

The Regional Minister, Mr. Rockson Bukari, cautioned all  Municipal and District Chief Executives to avoid any act of bribery and corruption so that they would be able to protect the public purse and prosecute the agenda of the government without any wastage.

Mr. Rockson Bukari reminded the confirmed MDCEs to avoid greediness and any other act that would bring the offices they held into disrepute as well as create any form of conflict with the people they had been assigned to lead.

He called on the assembly members’ to work as a team to ensure that they contribute their quota towards effective and efficient management of the assembly’s resources.

The confirmed MDCEs expressed  appreciation to assembly members of their respective assemblies for reposing confidence in them to propel the development of their districts.

The MDCEs pledged  to work in synergy with assembly members of the respective assemblies to address issues of falling standards of education, unemployment, water and sanitation, poor road infrastructure, food insecurity, alcoholism, bush fires and teenage pregnancy.

They reiterated their commitment to operate an open door policy and to welcome proposals and contributions to support them propel the development of their citizens by spearheading the pro-poor policies of the NPP government.

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By: Frederick Awuni/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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The REGSEC indicated that the renewed clash was sparked at the funeral grounds of one of the two factions in the chieftaincy dispute, but added that measures have been put in place to guarantee the safety and security of residents in the area.

Led by the Regional Minister, Rockson Bukari, the REGSEC on Monday visited the burnt houses of the two royal gates at Atulibabisi and the four victims currently receiving treatment at the Bolgatanga regional hospital.

Speaking to Citi News, the Regional Police Commander, DCOP Redeemer Vincent Dodjoe assured all residents within the municipality of measures being adopted to ensure sustainable peace in the area.

“We (REGSEC) have put in place the necessary measures to forestall reoccurrence of the unfortunate incident that occurred last Saturday. We have visited the scene at Abulibabisi and the victims who sustained various degrees of injuries at the regional hospital. This is to re-assure the people of Bolgatnaga that Bolgatanga is safe and there is no cause for alarm and that, the necessary security measure are in place to guarantee the safety of all residents.”

DCOP Redeemer Dodjoe said the violence would have been avoided if the organisers of the funeral had written to the police command for security, as contained in a MoU between the two factions and the police.

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By: Frederick Awuni/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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The facility now depends on the services of water tankers to assist its activities due to irregular supply of water from the Ghana Water Company.

The situation according to the Medical Director of the Bolgatanga Regional Hospital, Dr. Patrick Atobrah, is taking a toll on their daily operations especially delays in maternal and surgical operations.

He said although the hospital intends to construct additional boreholes to augment the situation, the rationing of water leaves them with no option except to buy from water tankers to render services.

“The water situation has not changed much, the water from the Ghana Water Company is very irregular, so we depend a lot more on tanker services that is what pertains now to offer services in the facility. We buy water most of the time through the tanker services, but the challenge is that, then you cannot get the water running through the taps, but we only pour the water into our poly-tank  for maternity and surgical operations. But we are considering getting some boreholes, the challenge has been getting a place to get enough water. As at now, we have dig two boreholes, but the yield is not enough so we will still depend on tankers services,” Dr. Atobrah stated.

Meanwhile, the Chief Managing Director of the Upper East Regional branch of the Ghana Water Company Limited, Kenneth Ennin, told Citi News the rationing of water to residents in the Bolgatanga Municipality and its environs, was due to high demand for water against supply capacity.

He said the influx of people from other districts of the region into the Bolga Municipality coupled with obsolete water treatment plants have necessitated the exercise.

“As far as the water supply situation especially Bolgatanga and others areas are concerned, we are able to supply an average capacity of four thousand cubic meters, but then, with the occasional conflict in Bawku there has been an influx of so many people coming from Bawku and other border towns coming to settle in Bolgatanga.”

“This means that, there now undue pressure on demand, so if you compare our situation of supplying 4,000.00 cubic meters of water against anticipated demand of 7,000.00 cubic meters, gives us a deficit of 3,000.00 cubic meters. The deficit has led to the rationing of water supply on daily basis in order to close the 3,000.00 cubic meters water supply gap, so we have zoned up all our catchment areas for the rationing exercise.”

Mr.  Ennin added that; even though his outfit is uncertain when the situation will return to normalcy, he appealed to government to urgently upgrade the water supply facilities in the region.

He also stated that, the VEA and Tono dams from where the treatment and supply of water for consumption take place, will be secured from any negative human activity.

Mr. Ennin expressed worry at the obsolete state of the 40-year old raw water line plant affecting the production capacity, but stressed that, efforts are far afoot to replace the plant for optimal production.

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By: Frederick Awuni/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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President Mahama who arrived in Bolgatanga in the evening paid a courtesy call on the Bolgatanga Traditional Council and later addressed a mini-rally at the Jubilee Park.

Addressing the Bolga Traditional Council, Mr. Mahama commended the council for a peaceful resolution of the Bolgatanga chieftaincy disputes and called for peace before, during and after the elections.

He pledged his commitment towards a peaceful election devoid of violence and intimidation and appealed for their support to win the December polls.

“Indeed we want peace before, during and after the elections and I don’t see why people should fight or kill because of political power. You know my own disposition that am not a violent person, if there will be violence it’s not going to come from me but as a president I have a responsibility to ensure that there is peace in this country so that people can freely express their will. So we have a strategy for a peaceful election to ensure that all Ghanaians come out to vote. There will be security at all polling stations as well as patrol teams in case of eventualities.”

He added that, government has put in place strategies to deal with post elections related violence.

Recounting his achievements in the region, John Mahama said, his government will continue to work hard in creating job opportunities through revamping feasible defunct factories in the region.

Mr. Mahama will later today [Monday, 21st November] pay a courtesy call on the Bawku Naba, Abugrago Azoka II and address mini-rallies at Garu, Tempane, Binduri and Zebilla respectively.

He will also commission the Binduri District Assembly block, Town water system in Tempane and a warehouse in Garu.

Mr. Mahama on Tuesday will continue with the Western zone where he will pay courtesy call on the Naaga Naba, Sandema Nab, Chiana-Pio, and the Paga-pio.

He will later commission the Kanjarga Community day Senior High School in Builsa South and a Ghana Education Service office block in Paga.

He will also hold rallies in Sandema , Chiana and Navrongo respectively.

On day three, President Mahama will pay a courtesy call on the Tongo Rana, Sakote Nab, Nangodi Nab, and Zuarung Naba.

He will end his campaign tour with rallies in Nabdam, Bongo, Bolga and Tongo.

President Mahama who is also the National Democratic Congress’ (NDC) presidential candidate is seeking a second term in office.

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By: Frederick Awuni/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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