Story: Vincent Adedze, Tamale
A group calling itself the Mamprusi Youth of Tamale has called on the government to carry out an independent enquiry into the Bawku conflict to ensure that justice and peace are restored.
The group also expressed its displeasure at the manner in which the crisis had been handled so far, stressing that “we are tired of these senseless killing of our people and we have lost confidence in the ability of the two political leaders to play an impartial role in resolving the conflict”.
A spokesperson for the group, Mr Beiko Osman Imoro, made the call at a press conference in Tamale on the recent disturbances at Bawku.
Violence broke out between the Kusasis and Mamprusis at Sabon Gari in December last year and claimed a number of lives.
The spokesperson recounted a number of incidents that resulted in the death of two persons and wondered why the government and the security agencies had failed to unravel the mystery behind the killings.
“To the security agencies, we say we are disappointed in the seeming lack of professionalism on their part and we can only hope that the military command will also investigate the imposition of curfew and the beefing up of security at Bawku and its surroundings to prevent the conflict from escalating.
“We call on the President to caution his representatives to desist from that unholy alliance with the security agencies, since it erodes the gains that have been made to end the conflict,” the spokesperson stated.
He dismissed as untrue allegations by some Kusasi youth that Mamprusis “attacked them” and stressed the need for the government and Parliament to institute an independent enquiry into the conflict to arrest and prosecute those behind the killings and the violence.
“It is often said that justice delayed is justice denied and we do not want to believe that the inability of the government to find and punish the perpetrators is meant to deny our slain brothers justice,” he added.
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Monday, February 18, 2008
CHILDREN'S PARK FOR TAMALE (Page 28)
Story: Vincent Adedze, Tamale
THE Tamale Metropolitan Chief Executive (MCE), Mr Mohammed Amin Adam, has assured children in the metropolis that the assembly is liaising with some institutions to help establish a Children’s Park equipped with recreational facilities.
He said such a move would ultimately keep children away from social vices and would enable them to contribute meaningfully to the development of their respective communities.
The MCE gave the assurance at a meeting with members of the Ananse Reach Concept (ARC), a child-related movement in Tamale.
The assurance followed an appeal made to the MCE by the ARC to evolve strategies to establish a Children’s Park in the area.
Mr Adam said although the metropolitan assembly was facing such numerous challenges as a lack of funds and getting the needed site for the park, it would still do everything within its power to provide such a facility.
“It is our duty to provide such a facility to cater for the needs of children; we are negotiating for an aircraft to be sited on the proposed park,” the MCE further stated.
According to him, the provision of such a facility was long overdue, considering its benefits to children in the metropolis.
He announced that the Tamale International and Tiyumba schools would soon be linked to schools in the United States and South Africa respectively under an exchange programme.
“I am impressed with the academic delivery, discipline and community consciousness in the two schools,” Mr Adam said.
The President of the ARC, Miss Emefa Yengbe, said the Children’s Park, if provided and managed properly, “ it will serve as a physical, mental and intellectual therapeutic facility for all children in Tamale”.
“Additionally, children in Tamale would grow up as one children and eventually one people, irrespective of our ethnic backgrounds. We should not forget that the park would bring economic benefits to our people,” she pointed out.
Miss Yengbe noted that the greatest challenge facing the children was how to acquire a track of land for the proposed park.
“We, however, promise to do our best by mobilising massive and sustained funds and material resources to adequately acquire the land,” she intimated.
The president said children’s involvement in entertainment meant for adults, their engagement in tribal sentiments, discussions, factionalism and other social vices were challenges facing the children in the metropolis.
She, therefore, emphasised that the establishment of the park would help prevent children from engaging in negative acts that would ruin their future.
The Country Co-ordinator of the ARC, Madam Humu Kusum, said her outfit, in collaboration with the Ghana Health Service, had embarked on numerous activities to educate children on how to abstain from sex until they were married.
THE Tamale Metropolitan Chief Executive (MCE), Mr Mohammed Amin Adam, has assured children in the metropolis that the assembly is liaising with some institutions to help establish a Children’s Park equipped with recreational facilities.
He said such a move would ultimately keep children away from social vices and would enable them to contribute meaningfully to the development of their respective communities.
The MCE gave the assurance at a meeting with members of the Ananse Reach Concept (ARC), a child-related movement in Tamale.
The assurance followed an appeal made to the MCE by the ARC to evolve strategies to establish a Children’s Park in the area.
Mr Adam said although the metropolitan assembly was facing such numerous challenges as a lack of funds and getting the needed site for the park, it would still do everything within its power to provide such a facility.
“It is our duty to provide such a facility to cater for the needs of children; we are negotiating for an aircraft to be sited on the proposed park,” the MCE further stated.
According to him, the provision of such a facility was long overdue, considering its benefits to children in the metropolis.
He announced that the Tamale International and Tiyumba schools would soon be linked to schools in the United States and South Africa respectively under an exchange programme.
“I am impressed with the academic delivery, discipline and community consciousness in the two schools,” Mr Adam said.
The President of the ARC, Miss Emefa Yengbe, said the Children’s Park, if provided and managed properly, “ it will serve as a physical, mental and intellectual therapeutic facility for all children in Tamale”.
“Additionally, children in Tamale would grow up as one children and eventually one people, irrespective of our ethnic backgrounds. We should not forget that the park would bring economic benefits to our people,” she pointed out.
Miss Yengbe noted that the greatest challenge facing the children was how to acquire a track of land for the proposed park.
“We, however, promise to do our best by mobilising massive and sustained funds and material resources to adequately acquire the land,” she intimated.
The president said children’s involvement in entertainment meant for adults, their engagement in tribal sentiments, discussions, factionalism and other social vices were challenges facing the children in the metropolis.
She, therefore, emphasised that the establishment of the park would help prevent children from engaging in negative acts that would ruin their future.
The Country Co-ordinator of the ARC, Madam Humu Kusum, said her outfit, in collaboration with the Ghana Health Service, had embarked on numerous activities to educate children on how to abstain from sex until they were married.
Friday, February 15, 2008
BASSARE CHIEFS CALL ON REGIONAL MINISTER (Page 31)
Story: Vincent Adedze, Tamale
THE Northern Regional Security Council (REGSEC) has evolved strategies to expose and clamp down on the activities of some individuals who are masterminding the circulation of text messages intended to cause panic and security threats in the region.
As part of the measures, the REGSEC is liaising with the national security outfit to help nip in the bud such activities in the region and arrest perpetrators of the act.
The Regional Minister, Alhaji Mustapha Ali Iddris, made this known in Tamale when chiefs from the Bassare Traditional Area in the Zabzugu-Tatale District called on him.
The delegation was led by the Paramount Chief of Bassare, Obore Yankosor Gariba II, and included Assembly members and other citizens of the area. The meeting was a follow-up to a letter dated December 5, 2007 asking permission through the offices of the regional minister to meet President John Agyekum Kufuor at the Osu Castle in Accra to discuss pertinent issues regarding the development of the area.
Among the issues to be discussed at the proposed meeting is a request by the Bassare chiefs for the creation of the Tatale District out of the Zabzugu-Tatale District.
Alhaji Iddris also entreated the chiefs and opinion leaders in the Abudu and Andani chieftaincy divide to always tell their subjects the truth after any discussions in Kumasi on the road map to peace in the Dagbon problem.
The minister showed to the media practitioners present a text message that he received from an anonymous person.
Alhaji Iddris cautioned “war-mongers and people who cause mischief in the region” to desist from such acts or face the full rigours of the law.
“If you create such panic situation and you succeed in sending non-natives packing out of this place, as well as scaring away potential investors, what do you think you are doing to your own region?” he asked.
The minister expressed regret that some “people in the region thrive on confusion to make money” and cautioned those individuals to put a stop to their negative acts.
“After the Ghana 2008, it is expected that we should be reaping the benefits in the few years ahead because some of the foreigners are so happy about Tamale that they are saying good things about us on various media networks like the South African Broadcasting Corporation,” Alhaji Iddris further pointed out.
He urged media practitioners to publish stories that would help market the potential of the region rather than publish negative and untrue stories about it.
The Spokesperson for the Bassare chiefs, Mr James Yanwube, thanked the President and his government for the development in their area, particularly improved road network and schools.
THE Northern Regional Security Council (REGSEC) has evolved strategies to expose and clamp down on the activities of some individuals who are masterminding the circulation of text messages intended to cause panic and security threats in the region.
As part of the measures, the REGSEC is liaising with the national security outfit to help nip in the bud such activities in the region and arrest perpetrators of the act.
The Regional Minister, Alhaji Mustapha Ali Iddris, made this known in Tamale when chiefs from the Bassare Traditional Area in the Zabzugu-Tatale District called on him.
The delegation was led by the Paramount Chief of Bassare, Obore Yankosor Gariba II, and included Assembly members and other citizens of the area. The meeting was a follow-up to a letter dated December 5, 2007 asking permission through the offices of the regional minister to meet President John Agyekum Kufuor at the Osu Castle in Accra to discuss pertinent issues regarding the development of the area.
Among the issues to be discussed at the proposed meeting is a request by the Bassare chiefs for the creation of the Tatale District out of the Zabzugu-Tatale District.
Alhaji Iddris also entreated the chiefs and opinion leaders in the Abudu and Andani chieftaincy divide to always tell their subjects the truth after any discussions in Kumasi on the road map to peace in the Dagbon problem.
The minister showed to the media practitioners present a text message that he received from an anonymous person.
Alhaji Iddris cautioned “war-mongers and people who cause mischief in the region” to desist from such acts or face the full rigours of the law.
“If you create such panic situation and you succeed in sending non-natives packing out of this place, as well as scaring away potential investors, what do you think you are doing to your own region?” he asked.
The minister expressed regret that some “people in the region thrive on confusion to make money” and cautioned those individuals to put a stop to their negative acts.
“After the Ghana 2008, it is expected that we should be reaping the benefits in the few years ahead because some of the foreigners are so happy about Tamale that they are saying good things about us on various media networks like the South African Broadcasting Corporation,” Alhaji Iddris further pointed out.
He urged media practitioners to publish stories that would help market the potential of the region rather than publish negative and untrue stories about it.
The Spokesperson for the Bassare chiefs, Mr James Yanwube, thanked the President and his government for the development in their area, particularly improved road network and schools.
Monday, February 11, 2008
ALLOW SCHOOLS TO ADMIT 30 PER CENT OF STUDENTS (Page 29)
Story: Vincent Adedze, Tamale
THE Headmaster of the Kalpohini Senior High School, Mr Shaibu Wilberforce Adams, has called on the Ghana Education Service (GES) to revert to the policy that enabled second cycle institutions to admit 30 per cent of its fresh students from the school’s locality.
According to him, most of the communities where some schools were located had expressed concern about the inability of the school authorities to consider students from their localities.
Such a measure, he said, would therefore help promote a healthy working relationship between the schools and the communities, thereby reducing to the bearest minimum petty squabbles between the two parties.
The issue of not allowing schools to admit at least 30 fresh students from their respective localities has deepened encroachment, land litigation and trespassing issues in our schools, Mr Adams observed.
Mr Adams was speaking to the Daily Graphic in Tamale on various concerns expressed regarding the Computerised Schools Selection and Placement System (CSSPS).
The headmaster, however, indicated that after the selection exercise, “there were 15 vacancies in my school, but I was given 30 students so the school had to send back the rest of them”.
A visit to a number of schools by this reporter showed that all vacancies had been filled.
“I must confess that the computerisation process has eased the pressure on heads of institutions and changed the perception of most parents that they used the selection exercise to make money,” he stated.
Currently, he said out of the 300 fresh students the school has admitted, not even 100 of them were girls and this was not the best.
Vacancies at the Tamale Senior High School (TAMASCO) and the Ghana Senior High School (GHANASCO) have all been filled up.
The Assistant Headmaster of TAMASCO, Mr Dan Biitir, indicated that most often students admitted to the school did not accept the admissions and this issue also created vacancies.
The Headmaster of GHANASCO, Alhaji Tahitu Mahama, said there were 29 vacancies after the computerisation exercise but these had been filled up.
THE Headmaster of the Kalpohini Senior High School, Mr Shaibu Wilberforce Adams, has called on the Ghana Education Service (GES) to revert to the policy that enabled second cycle institutions to admit 30 per cent of its fresh students from the school’s locality.
According to him, most of the communities where some schools were located had expressed concern about the inability of the school authorities to consider students from their localities.
Such a measure, he said, would therefore help promote a healthy working relationship between the schools and the communities, thereby reducing to the bearest minimum petty squabbles between the two parties.
The issue of not allowing schools to admit at least 30 fresh students from their respective localities has deepened encroachment, land litigation and trespassing issues in our schools, Mr Adams observed.
Mr Adams was speaking to the Daily Graphic in Tamale on various concerns expressed regarding the Computerised Schools Selection and Placement System (CSSPS).
The headmaster, however, indicated that after the selection exercise, “there were 15 vacancies in my school, but I was given 30 students so the school had to send back the rest of them”.
A visit to a number of schools by this reporter showed that all vacancies had been filled.
“I must confess that the computerisation process has eased the pressure on heads of institutions and changed the perception of most parents that they used the selection exercise to make money,” he stated.
Currently, he said out of the 300 fresh students the school has admitted, not even 100 of them were girls and this was not the best.
Vacancies at the Tamale Senior High School (TAMASCO) and the Ghana Senior High School (GHANASCO) have all been filled up.
The Assistant Headmaster of TAMASCO, Mr Dan Biitir, indicated that most often students admitted to the school did not accept the admissions and this issue also created vacancies.
The Headmaster of GHANASCO, Alhaji Tahitu Mahama, said there were 29 vacancies after the computerisation exercise but these had been filled up.
TAMALE PRISON OFFICERS, INMATES ACQUIRE SKILLS (PAGE 28)
Story: Vincent Adedze, Tamale
INMATES and officers of the Tamale Central Prisons now have the opportunity to acquire skills in technical, vocational education and Training (TVET) through the President's Special Initiative on Distance Learning (PSI-DL).
The PSI-DL was recently inaugurated at the Tamale Prisons to enable beneficiaries of the programme to acquire skills in catering, block-laying, concreting, basic English and mathematics.
The programme has also afforded the inmates the opportunity to improve on reading and numeracy skills.
A number of items have been provided under the programme to help ensure the smooth implementation of the programme.
The items included television sets, video compact discs (VCDs), digital video disc players and VCD lesson notes on Junior High and Senior High schools’ English and Mathematics.
The Tamale Prison has thus become one of the four learning centres of the open schooling system under the PSI-DL introduced in a number of prisons in the country.
The PSI-DL was introduced in April 2002 to co-ordinate and make operational alternative models of education to complement the government's efforts to ensure that Ghana attains the target of “Education for All” by the year 2015.
In her inaugural address, the Co-ordinator of the PSI-DL, Madam Abena Agyakoma Kwarteng, said one thousand needy, poor and vulnerable students had been targeted to benefit from the pilot project.
“Eleven study centres made up of public and private vocational and technical institutions nationwide have been selected to take part in the project”, she said.
According to the co-ordinator, the open schooling TVET started on a pilot basis at the pre-tertiary level in September 2007.
“Currently, PSI-DL is telecasting on GTV science lessons, namely integrated science, physics, chemistry and biology. We anticipate transmitting 1,280 half-hour lessons under the science lessons on GTV”, she further stated.
Madam Kwarteng stated that the PSI-DL was closely collaborating with local and international institutions renowned for distance education delivery. They include the University of Education, Winneba; the Commonwealth of Learning, and Regional Training and Research Institute for Open and Distance Learning (RETRIDAL).
“PSI-DL has created learning centres in partnership with some churches, the Ghana National Association of Teachers and some non-governmental organisations. These learning centres have been equipped with television sets and video decks”, she pointed out.
The co-ordinator added that that the PSI-DL had produced VCDs from the already telecast lessons for sale to schools and the general public as learner support materials.
The Northern Regional Minister, Alhaji Mustapha Ali Iddris, urged beneficiaries of the programme to put the facilities to good use.
“Every Ghanaian including you can contribute meaningfully to the accelerated development of this country. The purpose of this intervention is to help integrate you into society after you are out of this place”, the minister further stated.
The Regional Commander of Prisons, Mr Erle Adjei-Koreeh observed that the intervention had come at the right time as 95 per cent of the inmates were “stark illiterates”. He, however, urged both officers and inmates to take advantage of the intervention to help improve their educational status.
INMATES and officers of the Tamale Central Prisons now have the opportunity to acquire skills in technical, vocational education and Training (TVET) through the President's Special Initiative on Distance Learning (PSI-DL).
The PSI-DL was recently inaugurated at the Tamale Prisons to enable beneficiaries of the programme to acquire skills in catering, block-laying, concreting, basic English and mathematics.
The programme has also afforded the inmates the opportunity to improve on reading and numeracy skills.
A number of items have been provided under the programme to help ensure the smooth implementation of the programme.
The items included television sets, video compact discs (VCDs), digital video disc players and VCD lesson notes on Junior High and Senior High schools’ English and Mathematics.
The Tamale Prison has thus become one of the four learning centres of the open schooling system under the PSI-DL introduced in a number of prisons in the country.
The PSI-DL was introduced in April 2002 to co-ordinate and make operational alternative models of education to complement the government's efforts to ensure that Ghana attains the target of “Education for All” by the year 2015.
In her inaugural address, the Co-ordinator of the PSI-DL, Madam Abena Agyakoma Kwarteng, said one thousand needy, poor and vulnerable students had been targeted to benefit from the pilot project.
“Eleven study centres made up of public and private vocational and technical institutions nationwide have been selected to take part in the project”, she said.
According to the co-ordinator, the open schooling TVET started on a pilot basis at the pre-tertiary level in September 2007.
“Currently, PSI-DL is telecasting on GTV science lessons, namely integrated science, physics, chemistry and biology. We anticipate transmitting 1,280 half-hour lessons under the science lessons on GTV”, she further stated.
Madam Kwarteng stated that the PSI-DL was closely collaborating with local and international institutions renowned for distance education delivery. They include the University of Education, Winneba; the Commonwealth of Learning, and Regional Training and Research Institute for Open and Distance Learning (RETRIDAL).
“PSI-DL has created learning centres in partnership with some churches, the Ghana National Association of Teachers and some non-governmental organisations. These learning centres have been equipped with television sets and video decks”, she pointed out.
The co-ordinator added that that the PSI-DL had produced VCDs from the already telecast lessons for sale to schools and the general public as learner support materials.
The Northern Regional Minister, Alhaji Mustapha Ali Iddris, urged beneficiaries of the programme to put the facilities to good use.
“Every Ghanaian including you can contribute meaningfully to the accelerated development of this country. The purpose of this intervention is to help integrate you into society after you are out of this place”, the minister further stated.
The Regional Commander of Prisons, Mr Erle Adjei-Koreeh observed that the intervention had come at the right time as 95 per cent of the inmates were “stark illiterates”. He, however, urged both officers and inmates to take advantage of the intervention to help improve their educational status.
Sunday, February 10, 2008
11 DIE IN ACCIDENT AT PONG-TAMALE (PAGE 13)
Story: Vincent Adedze, Pong-Tamale
Eleven persons died in a road accident at Pong-Tamale in the Savelugu/Nanton District in the Northern Region. Nine of them died on the spot.
Among the dead are the drivers of the two vehicles involved in the accident, a pregnant woman and a young boy.
Others who sustained various degrees of injury, including a three-year-old girl who had one leg amputated, are currently receiving treatment at the Tamale Regional Hospital.
The passengers were travelling in a 70-seater bus from Accra to Bawku when it ran into a stationary tipper truck at Pong-Tamale on Thursday morning.
Names of the deceased whose bodies have been deposited at the morgue of the Tamale Hospital are Abu Ayaala Mahama, Umar Alabira (tipper truck driver), Kouri Tinga, Ali Nurudeen, Ouedraogo Bukari and Mohammed.
Five of the deceased are, however, yet to be identified.
The number of persons that escaped unhurt could not, however, be readily established but 17 persons were treated and discharged at the Savelugu Hospital.
The Northern Regional Police Commander of the Motor Traffic and Transport Unit (MTTU), Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Nana Kumi, told the Daily Graphic that the accident occurred at about 6 a.m. when the 70-seater bus ran into the tipper truck on the outskirts of Pong-Tamale.
He said the tipper truck, which was loaded with sand, was travelling from Walewale to Tamale.
According to the commander, the tipper truck driver, Umar Alabira, decided to park on the shoulder of the road when he sensed danger as the bus had veered off its lane into that of the truck.
Nana Kumi said the tipper truck driver was killed instantly when the bus ran into his vehicle and mangled it in the process. The driver’s mate on the bus is reported to have jumped off the bus when he sensed danger.
He said in all 20 people were on admission at the Savelugu and Tamale hospitals and another four in critical condition were receiving treatment at the Tamale Teaching Hospital.
The Regional Road Safety Co-ordinator, Mr Sumani Mbo, who led a team to the accident spot to assess the situation, entreated drivers not to drive for more than eight hours in a day.
He equally warned drivers against driving consistently for more than four hours without having at least 30 minutes of rest.
"I wish to urge vehicle owners to get spare drivers for long distance vehicles to avoid such fatal accidents and the loss of lives," Mr Mbo added.
Eleven persons died in a road accident at Pong-Tamale in the Savelugu/Nanton District in the Northern Region. Nine of them died on the spot.
Among the dead are the drivers of the two vehicles involved in the accident, a pregnant woman and a young boy.
Others who sustained various degrees of injury, including a three-year-old girl who had one leg amputated, are currently receiving treatment at the Tamale Regional Hospital.
The passengers were travelling in a 70-seater bus from Accra to Bawku when it ran into a stationary tipper truck at Pong-Tamale on Thursday morning.
Names of the deceased whose bodies have been deposited at the morgue of the Tamale Hospital are Abu Ayaala Mahama, Umar Alabira (tipper truck driver), Kouri Tinga, Ali Nurudeen, Ouedraogo Bukari and Mohammed.
Five of the deceased are, however, yet to be identified.
The number of persons that escaped unhurt could not, however, be readily established but 17 persons were treated and discharged at the Savelugu Hospital.
The Northern Regional Police Commander of the Motor Traffic and Transport Unit (MTTU), Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Nana Kumi, told the Daily Graphic that the accident occurred at about 6 a.m. when the 70-seater bus ran into the tipper truck on the outskirts of Pong-Tamale.
He said the tipper truck, which was loaded with sand, was travelling from Walewale to Tamale.
According to the commander, the tipper truck driver, Umar Alabira, decided to park on the shoulder of the road when he sensed danger as the bus had veered off its lane into that of the truck.
Nana Kumi said the tipper truck driver was killed instantly when the bus ran into his vehicle and mangled it in the process. The driver’s mate on the bus is reported to have jumped off the bus when he sensed danger.
He said in all 20 people were on admission at the Savelugu and Tamale hospitals and another four in critical condition were receiving treatment at the Tamale Teaching Hospital.
The Regional Road Safety Co-ordinator, Mr Sumani Mbo, who led a team to the accident spot to assess the situation, entreated drivers not to drive for more than eight hours in a day.
He equally warned drivers against driving consistently for more than four hours without having at least 30 minutes of rest.
"I wish to urge vehicle owners to get spare drivers for long distance vehicles to avoid such fatal accidents and the loss of lives," Mr Mbo added.
Friday, February 1, 2008
SUSTAIN PEACE IN TAMALE (Page 29)
Story: Vincent Adedze, Tamale
THE Northern Regional Minister, Alhaji Mustapha Ali Iddris, has asked various pressure groups and residents of Tamale to make the metropolis a conducive place for the successful hosting of the Ghana 2008 tournament. He warned against acts that would disturb the prevailing peace in the area.
“We should be guided by the supreme national interest and not by our parochial interests,” he said.
Alhaji Iddris gave the warning during an end-of-year get-together organised by the Tamale Collection point of the Customs Excise and Preventive Service (CEPS).
The occasion was used to honour deserving CEPS staff.
He stressed: “We want Tamale to remain calm as we host the tournament; please let’s do our best to make the place a safe haven for our visitors.”
Alhaji Iddris said residents and pressure groups must respect the laws of the land and the judiciary, “a cardinal arm of government”.
“Tamale has enjoyed tranquillity for the past one and a half years and so nothing should be done to disturb the peace,” the minister further warned.
The Sector Commander, Assistant Commissioner Ernest Frimpong-Nuamah, expressed disappointment at the inability of his outfit to meet its revenue target for 2007.
“We were charged to collect GH¢46,190,000 but we could collect only GH¢44,493,908, which is negative variance of about 27.4 per cent,” he said.
He attributed the situation to low petroleum returns and the indebtedness of some oil marketing companies.
Mr Frimpong-Nuamah said, for instance, that oil companies owed the sector GH¢263,000,894 while the petroleum sector left a deficit of GH¢90,000.
He further noted that inadequate staff and activities of smugglers in areas like Makango, Salaga and Gushegu were critical areas of concern to his outfit.
“The vastness of the Northern Region, coupled with the porous nature of its terrain makes anti-smuggling operations quite difficult and dangerous and the success stories we have chalked up so far could be attributed to dedication and commitment of our officers,” the commander stated.
He further observed that the Ghana 2008 tournament posed many challenges and pressure on the collection point but expressed the determination of his outfit to intensify “our tax educational programmes”.
THE Northern Regional Minister, Alhaji Mustapha Ali Iddris, has asked various pressure groups and residents of Tamale to make the metropolis a conducive place for the successful hosting of the Ghana 2008 tournament. He warned against acts that would disturb the prevailing peace in the area.
“We should be guided by the supreme national interest and not by our parochial interests,” he said.
Alhaji Iddris gave the warning during an end-of-year get-together organised by the Tamale Collection point of the Customs Excise and Preventive Service (CEPS).
The occasion was used to honour deserving CEPS staff.
He stressed: “We want Tamale to remain calm as we host the tournament; please let’s do our best to make the place a safe haven for our visitors.”
Alhaji Iddris said residents and pressure groups must respect the laws of the land and the judiciary, “a cardinal arm of government”.
“Tamale has enjoyed tranquillity for the past one and a half years and so nothing should be done to disturb the peace,” the minister further warned.
The Sector Commander, Assistant Commissioner Ernest Frimpong-Nuamah, expressed disappointment at the inability of his outfit to meet its revenue target for 2007.
“We were charged to collect GH¢46,190,000 but we could collect only GH¢44,493,908, which is negative variance of about 27.4 per cent,” he said.
He attributed the situation to low petroleum returns and the indebtedness of some oil marketing companies.
Mr Frimpong-Nuamah said, for instance, that oil companies owed the sector GH¢263,000,894 while the petroleum sector left a deficit of GH¢90,000.
He further noted that inadequate staff and activities of smugglers in areas like Makango, Salaga and Gushegu were critical areas of concern to his outfit.
“The vastness of the Northern Region, coupled with the porous nature of its terrain makes anti-smuggling operations quite difficult and dangerous and the success stories we have chalked up so far could be attributed to dedication and commitment of our officers,” the commander stated.
He further observed that the Ghana 2008 tournament posed many challenges and pressure on the collection point but expressed the determination of his outfit to intensify “our tax educational programmes”.
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