THE vice-presidential aspirant of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, has described his nomination as an honour for Northern Ghana whose development he pledged to champion when the party is given the mandate.
“I see my nomination as an honour to northern Ghana. I am committed to promoting development in the north”, he stated.
The vice-presidential pick further acknowledged the development challenges of the region and gave assurance that a Nana Akufo-Addo government would help to turn the fortunes of the region around.
Dr Bawumia was speaking at Yendi during separate courtesy calls on the Regent of Dagbon, Kampakuya-Naa Yakubu Abdulai Andani, and the Bolin-Lana Mahamadu Abdulai.
The visit of the vice-presidential hopeful who was accorded warm reception by party activists, chiefs and elders of the area, formed part of his campaign tour of the Northern Region where he is being introduced to the electorate.
Residents of the area thronged the palaces of the Kampakuya-Naa and Bolin-Lana to cheer him up.
Dr Bawumia reiterated Nana Akufo-Addo’s proposed establishment of a one billion cedi Northern Development Fund to help bridge the development gap between the north and the south.
The Kampakuya-Naa in a remark stated that “we consider you as one of our own and we welcome you to this palace”.
The regent wished Dr Bawumia success in all his endeavours to become the next vice-president of the country after the December polls.
For his part, the Bolin-Lana noted that “it is heart-warming to have you in our midst today. We are proud of your choice and we extend to you a brotherly welcome”.
According to the Bolin-Lana, it was his conviction that Dr Bawumia and Nana Akufo-Addo would make “a quality pair” to accelerate the development of the country.
The former Finance Minister, Mr Yaw Osafo-Maafo who introduced Dr Bawumia to both the Kampakuya-Naa and the Bolin-Lana, urged the youth including Muslims to rally behind the vice-presidential hopeful in his bid to partner Nana Akufo-Addo to form the next government.
Mr Osafo-Maafo expressed the hope that chiefs, elders and the people of Yendi would co-operate with Dr Bawumia to turn the fortunes of the area around.
According to him, for Dr Bawumia to become the Deputy Governor of the Bank of Ghana at the age of 45 was a clear manifestation that Nana Akufo-Addo’s running mate had the potential to deliver at whatever level he found himself.
Dr Bawumia was accompanied by his wife, Samira; the Minister of Water Resources, Works and Housing, Mr Boniface Abubakar Saddique; the Northern Regional Minister, Alhaji Mustapha Ali Idris.
Others included Dr Kofi Konadu Apraku, the campaign director, and Alhaji Nurudeen Jawula, a leading member of the NPP.
Friday, August 29, 2008
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
LANDLORDS SENSITISED TO TAX EDUCATION (PAGE 29)
LANDLORDS and tenants in the Tamale metropolis have attended a day’s seminar on tax education.
The seminar was aimed at educating the participants on the need to pay tax on rent.
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) organised the seminar.
The Northern Regional Director of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in charge of rent tax, Mr Elias Sokuu, said tax collection in the region had always been a difficult task for the service, resulting in the inability of the IRS to meet its annual targets.
He said the IRS was able to meet its annual target for the region in 2007. He said further that this year’s target for the Northern Region was GH¢3.7 million but so far only GH¢1.5 million had been collected, making a negative deviation of 12 per cent.
He expressed the opinion that “we as administrators must recognise and accept the challenge that our core mission should not be meeting revenue targets but rather strengthening voluntary compliance through a better delivery of client service.”
He admonished taxpayers to summit their tax returns correctly, adequately and promptly.
For his part, the Tamale Metropolitan Manager of the IRS, Mr Minsi Fordjour, asked individuals and institutions to deduct eight per cent of all rents as rent tax before paying them to their landlords.
He warned that “any institution/organisation which fails to withhold the tax is personally liable to pay to the commissioner the amount of tax, which has not been withheld.”
He said the landlord could be contacted later to reimburse the institution or organisation after personally paying the non-withheld rent tax.
The Metropolitan Chief Executive (MCE), Mr Mohammed Amin Adam, thanked the IRS for organising such a workshop, saying it would help to boost revenue generation in the metropolis.
“My happiness stems from the fact that as the Metropolitan Chief Executive of Tamale, any innovative measure, which aims at widening the tax net and bringing in more revenue has my blessing,” he added.
The MCE said Ghana’s development hinged on everyone agreeing to pay his or her share of the tax burden and added: “It is through the taxes that such benefits as improved electricity and water supplies and effective maintenance of law and order can be achieved to ensure that we continue to run our business in a more secure and enabling environment.”
Mr Adam described the forum on tax education as a bold attempt at extending the tax net to rope in everybody eligible to pay tax in Ghana.
He gave a promise that the Tamale Metropolitan Assembly would collaborate with the IRS to generate more revenue for the nation.
The seminar was aimed at educating the participants on the need to pay tax on rent.
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) organised the seminar.
The Northern Regional Director of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in charge of rent tax, Mr Elias Sokuu, said tax collection in the region had always been a difficult task for the service, resulting in the inability of the IRS to meet its annual targets.
He said the IRS was able to meet its annual target for the region in 2007. He said further that this year’s target for the Northern Region was GH¢3.7 million but so far only GH¢1.5 million had been collected, making a negative deviation of 12 per cent.
He expressed the opinion that “we as administrators must recognise and accept the challenge that our core mission should not be meeting revenue targets but rather strengthening voluntary compliance through a better delivery of client service.”
He admonished taxpayers to summit their tax returns correctly, adequately and promptly.
For his part, the Tamale Metropolitan Manager of the IRS, Mr Minsi Fordjour, asked individuals and institutions to deduct eight per cent of all rents as rent tax before paying them to their landlords.
He warned that “any institution/organisation which fails to withhold the tax is personally liable to pay to the commissioner the amount of tax, which has not been withheld.”
He said the landlord could be contacted later to reimburse the institution or organisation after personally paying the non-withheld rent tax.
The Metropolitan Chief Executive (MCE), Mr Mohammed Amin Adam, thanked the IRS for organising such a workshop, saying it would help to boost revenue generation in the metropolis.
“My happiness stems from the fact that as the Metropolitan Chief Executive of Tamale, any innovative measure, which aims at widening the tax net and bringing in more revenue has my blessing,” he added.
The MCE said Ghana’s development hinged on everyone agreeing to pay his or her share of the tax burden and added: “It is through the taxes that such benefits as improved electricity and water supplies and effective maintenance of law and order can be achieved to ensure that we continue to run our business in a more secure and enabling environment.”
Mr Adam described the forum on tax education as a bold attempt at extending the tax net to rope in everybody eligible to pay tax in Ghana.
He gave a promise that the Tamale Metropolitan Assembly would collaborate with the IRS to generate more revenue for the nation.
SERVICE PROVIDERS URGED TO PROVIDE QUALITY SERVICES (PAGE 29)
THE Northern Regional Commander of the Customs, Excise and Preventive Service (CEPS), Mr Ernest Frimpong-Nuamah, has expressed concern about the influx of smuggled wax prints on the market in the Tamale metropolis.
“If you carry out an inspection of the cloths that are being sold in the metropolis, you will find out that a lot of them have been smuggled into the area. We are formulating strategies to address the situation,” he stated.
Mr Frimpong-Nuamah told the Daily Graphic in Tamale that his outfit could not embark on any exercise immediately to check such practices, since some residents might read political meanings into it, particularly as the December polls were approaching.
He, however, said the CEPS would soon organise a forum to sensitise residents, including traders, to the need for them to honour their tax obligations and to avoid smuggling.
The commander commended the Motor Traffic and Transport Unit (MTTU) of the Ghana Police Service for supporting the CEPS to check the influx of uncustomed motorbikes in the metropolis.
Mr Frimpong-Nuamah said in spite of the effects of tax evasion by some traders and residents, the CEPS was determined to meet its revenue target for this year.
He expressed regret that the Yendi and Saboba sectors might not achieve their targets because of the floods.
He said the Saboba area, for instance, had been cut off by the floods and efforts were being made to address the situation.
The commander said lack of logistics, including vehicles, and inadequate staff were some of the challenges facing his outfit in its bid to increase its revenue generation efforts.
Some dealers in wax print at the Tamale Central Market, however, denied ever evading tax or dealing in smuggled goods.
A market woman who pleaded anonymity, said “most of us are running at a loss because it is difficult for the CEPS authorities to arrest those who really smuggle the goods to this area”.
“If you carry out an inspection of the cloths that are being sold in the metropolis, you will find out that a lot of them have been smuggled into the area. We are formulating strategies to address the situation,” he stated.
Mr Frimpong-Nuamah told the Daily Graphic in Tamale that his outfit could not embark on any exercise immediately to check such practices, since some residents might read political meanings into it, particularly as the December polls were approaching.
He, however, said the CEPS would soon organise a forum to sensitise residents, including traders, to the need for them to honour their tax obligations and to avoid smuggling.
The commander commended the Motor Traffic and Transport Unit (MTTU) of the Ghana Police Service for supporting the CEPS to check the influx of uncustomed motorbikes in the metropolis.
Mr Frimpong-Nuamah said in spite of the effects of tax evasion by some traders and residents, the CEPS was determined to meet its revenue target for this year.
He expressed regret that the Yendi and Saboba sectors might not achieve their targets because of the floods.
He said the Saboba area, for instance, had been cut off by the floods and efforts were being made to address the situation.
The commander said lack of logistics, including vehicles, and inadequate staff were some of the challenges facing his outfit in its bid to increase its revenue generation efforts.
Some dealers in wax print at the Tamale Central Market, however, denied ever evading tax or dealing in smuggled goods.
A market woman who pleaded anonymity, said “most of us are running at a loss because it is difficult for the CEPS authorities to arrest those who really smuggle the goods to this area”.
INFLUX OF SMUGGLED WAX PRINTS IN TAMALE (PAGE 29)
THE Northern Regional Commander of the Customs, Excise and Preventive Service (CEPS), Mr Ernest Frimpong-Nuamah, has expressed concern about the influx of smuggled wax prints on the market in the Tamale metropolis.
“If you carry out an inspection of the cloths that are being sold in the metropolis, you will find out that a lot of them have been smuggled into the area. We are formulating strategies to address the situation,” he stated.
Mr Frimpong-Nuamah told the Daily Graphic in Tamale that his outfit could not embark on any exercise immediately to check such practices, since some residents might read political meanings into it, particularly as the December polls were approaching.
He, however, said the CEPS would soon organise a forum to sensitise residents, including traders, to the need for them to honour their tax obligations and to avoid smuggling.
The commander commended the Motor Traffic and Transport Unit (MTTU) of the Ghana Police Service for supporting the CEPS to check the influx of uncustomed motorbikes in the metropolis.
Mr Frimpong-Nuamah said in spite of the effects of tax evasion by some traders and residents, the CEPS was determined to meet its revenue target for this year.
He expressed regret that the Yendi and Saboba sectors might not achieve their targets because of the floods.
He said the Saboba area, for instance, had been cut off by the floods and efforts were being made to address the situation.
The commander said lack of logistics, including vehicles, and inadequate staff were some of the challenges facing his outfit in its bid to increase its revenue generation efforts.
Some dealers in wax print at the Tamale Central Market, however, denied ever evading tax or dealing in smuggled goods.
A market woman who pleaded anonymity, said “most of us are running at a loss because it is difficult for the CEPS authorities to arrest those who really smuggle the goods to this area”.
“If you carry out an inspection of the cloths that are being sold in the metropolis, you will find out that a lot of them have been smuggled into the area. We are formulating strategies to address the situation,” he stated.
Mr Frimpong-Nuamah told the Daily Graphic in Tamale that his outfit could not embark on any exercise immediately to check such practices, since some residents might read political meanings into it, particularly as the December polls were approaching.
He, however, said the CEPS would soon organise a forum to sensitise residents, including traders, to the need for them to honour their tax obligations and to avoid smuggling.
The commander commended the Motor Traffic and Transport Unit (MTTU) of the Ghana Police Service for supporting the CEPS to check the influx of uncustomed motorbikes in the metropolis.
Mr Frimpong-Nuamah said in spite of the effects of tax evasion by some traders and residents, the CEPS was determined to meet its revenue target for this year.
He expressed regret that the Yendi and Saboba sectors might not achieve their targets because of the floods.
He said the Saboba area, for instance, had been cut off by the floods and efforts were being made to address the situation.
The commander said lack of logistics, including vehicles, and inadequate staff were some of the challenges facing his outfit in its bid to increase its revenue generation efforts.
Some dealers in wax print at the Tamale Central Market, however, denied ever evading tax or dealing in smuggled goods.
A market woman who pleaded anonymity, said “most of us are running at a loss because it is difficult for the CEPS authorities to arrest those who really smuggle the goods to this area”.
FOREIGNERS CAPTURE TAMALE MARKET (PAGE 29)
FOR the past two years, the Progressive Traders Association (PTA) in Tamale has been looking for ways to promote a healthy business environment through peaceful co-existence among indigenous traders and their foreign counterparts in the metropolis.
One critical issue of concern to the PTA is how best to resolve the seeming unhealthy business practices being carried out by some foreign traders, which usually result in the low patronage of goods sold by the indigenous traders.
Some of the challenges are the influx of some foreign inferior goods on the market, inadequate capital, disunity, lack of data on businesses and inadequate capital. Managerial and entrepreneurial skills are equally receiving major attention in order to promote a healthy business environment in the metropolis.
These issues have over the years been a major source of worry for the leadership of the PTA, who are determined to use the association to promote a united front for the traders and help champion their cause in creating a healthy business environment in the area.
The PTA was inaugurated in the year 2006 with an initial membership of 400 made up of both businessmen and businesswomen.
It has a 15-member executive with Alhaji Haruna Yasaba as its chairman.
The PTA was formed to primarily ensure a healthy business environment through peaceful co-existence in the face of the many challenges affecting businessmen and businesswomen alike in the metropolis.
It is therefore a non-political, non-ethnic and non-religious body.
Taxation issues, confiscation of goods due to high import duties and lack of co-ordination of activities in the business sector are among the critical concerns the PTA has been working hard to resolve.
These challenges are said to be confronting traders in the metropolis, hence their inability to grow to their peak in their respective business endeavours.
The Planning Committee Chairman of the PTA, Mr Abdul-Nasir Jamal, observed, for instance, that the presence of such foreign traders like the Ibos from Nigeria, the Zambarimas from Niger, the Lebanese and Indians had made the business environment in the metropolis “very competitive but unhealthy”.
“It is on record that over 30 stores have folded up and more than 20 others are on the verge of collapse in the metropolis. For example, many motorbikes, bicycles and auto spare parts dealers are victims of the unhealthy business practices perpetrated by some foreign traders,” he reported.
The chairman of the committee further reported that some of the foreign traders allegedly reduced prices of their goods and services as well as engaged in the sale of inferior goods to unsuspecting customers in the area.
“As I speak now, about 15 women and six men, who sell clothes and materials are completely out of the market. Some individuals have adopted a fundamental dogma of laissez-faire resulting in unhealthy competition among traders. Currently, foreigners occupy not less than 50 stores in the Tamale Central Market which is not the best,” Mr Jamal maintained.
The Tamale Metropolitan Chief Executive, Mr Mohammed Amin Adam, for his part, urged traders in the north to intensify their business activities.
He said the assembly had decided to solicit the support of the PTA in its revenue mobilisation efforts.
Some residents have, however, suggested that although the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Treaty on trade does not permit any member state to repatriate foreigners to their countries of origin, it is imperative that some form of legislature be put in place to help protect local traders and bring sanity into the business sector.
“As the hub of business, the Northern Region is endowed with all kinds of business set-ups, but the level of patronage for some of the goods and services is so low that it does not encourage economic growth,” the residents further stated.
While the local traders have called for “a positive discrimination” towards them in the area of trade, some of the foreign traders have also pledged to abide by the laws and regulations governing their business activities.
Some local traders further lauded the idea of the formation of such an association, stressing that it was a step in the right direction, while their foreign counterparts acknowledged it and expressed the desire to take a cue from the association.
Others have observed that the PTA would enable businessmen and businesswomen in the metropolis to stand for their rights and make them more assertive in their transactions.
They also noted, for instance, that the issue of lack of credit facilities would now be history, as the PTA could enter into an agreement with some financial institutions for its members to access credit facilities.
It is, therefore, hoped that the leadership of the PTA would implement to the letter what the organisation stands for in order to boost the confidence that traders repose in it and promote a healthy business environment in the sprawling metropolis.
One critical issue of concern to the PTA is how best to resolve the seeming unhealthy business practices being carried out by some foreign traders, which usually result in the low patronage of goods sold by the indigenous traders.
Some of the challenges are the influx of some foreign inferior goods on the market, inadequate capital, disunity, lack of data on businesses and inadequate capital. Managerial and entrepreneurial skills are equally receiving major attention in order to promote a healthy business environment in the metropolis.
These issues have over the years been a major source of worry for the leadership of the PTA, who are determined to use the association to promote a united front for the traders and help champion their cause in creating a healthy business environment in the area.
The PTA was inaugurated in the year 2006 with an initial membership of 400 made up of both businessmen and businesswomen.
It has a 15-member executive with Alhaji Haruna Yasaba as its chairman.
The PTA was formed to primarily ensure a healthy business environment through peaceful co-existence in the face of the many challenges affecting businessmen and businesswomen alike in the metropolis.
It is therefore a non-political, non-ethnic and non-religious body.
Taxation issues, confiscation of goods due to high import duties and lack of co-ordination of activities in the business sector are among the critical concerns the PTA has been working hard to resolve.
These challenges are said to be confronting traders in the metropolis, hence their inability to grow to their peak in their respective business endeavours.
The Planning Committee Chairman of the PTA, Mr Abdul-Nasir Jamal, observed, for instance, that the presence of such foreign traders like the Ibos from Nigeria, the Zambarimas from Niger, the Lebanese and Indians had made the business environment in the metropolis “very competitive but unhealthy”.
“It is on record that over 30 stores have folded up and more than 20 others are on the verge of collapse in the metropolis. For example, many motorbikes, bicycles and auto spare parts dealers are victims of the unhealthy business practices perpetrated by some foreign traders,” he reported.
The chairman of the committee further reported that some of the foreign traders allegedly reduced prices of their goods and services as well as engaged in the sale of inferior goods to unsuspecting customers in the area.
“As I speak now, about 15 women and six men, who sell clothes and materials are completely out of the market. Some individuals have adopted a fundamental dogma of laissez-faire resulting in unhealthy competition among traders. Currently, foreigners occupy not less than 50 stores in the Tamale Central Market which is not the best,” Mr Jamal maintained.
The Tamale Metropolitan Chief Executive, Mr Mohammed Amin Adam, for his part, urged traders in the north to intensify their business activities.
He said the assembly had decided to solicit the support of the PTA in its revenue mobilisation efforts.
Some residents have, however, suggested that although the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Treaty on trade does not permit any member state to repatriate foreigners to their countries of origin, it is imperative that some form of legislature be put in place to help protect local traders and bring sanity into the business sector.
“As the hub of business, the Northern Region is endowed with all kinds of business set-ups, but the level of patronage for some of the goods and services is so low that it does not encourage economic growth,” the residents further stated.
While the local traders have called for “a positive discrimination” towards them in the area of trade, some of the foreign traders have also pledged to abide by the laws and regulations governing their business activities.
Some local traders further lauded the idea of the formation of such an association, stressing that it was a step in the right direction, while their foreign counterparts acknowledged it and expressed the desire to take a cue from the association.
Others have observed that the PTA would enable businessmen and businesswomen in the metropolis to stand for their rights and make them more assertive in their transactions.
They also noted, for instance, that the issue of lack of credit facilities would now be history, as the PTA could enter into an agreement with some financial institutions for its members to access credit facilities.
It is, therefore, hoped that the leadership of the PTA would implement to the letter what the organisation stands for in order to boost the confidence that traders repose in it and promote a healthy business environment in the sprawling metropolis.
Monday, August 25, 2008
CONSTITUTE DISTRICT REGISTRATION REVIEW COMMITTEES (PAGE 14)
THE Electoral Commission (EC) in the Northern Region has directed district electoral officers to constitute District Registration Review Committees to look into challenges that confronted the recent limited registration exercise in the region.
According to the Regional Director of the EC, Mr Sylvester Kanyi, the committee would, among other things, examine challenges of minor and double registration, in line with Article 13 (1) of the Constitutional Instrument (CI 12) on public elections regulations of 1995.
The provision states that “there shall be established in each district a district review committee ... which shall examine challenges related to the registration of voters in the district”.
Furthermore, he said, “the CI enjoins the committee to decide whether or not the person is qualified to be registered as a voter and communicate its decision in writing to the EC”.
Mr Kanyi indicated that members of the committee would comprise district directors of education, representatives of traditional authorities, district police commanders, electoral officers as well as one representative each from active political parties in each district.
According to the director, the committee would pass judgement after investigations and aggrieved parties who were not satisfied with the judgement could proceed to the law courts.
“The committee will invite the challenger and the challenged to prove or disprove their claims,” he stated.
Mr Kanyi explained that the challenges recorded in the recent voters registration exercise included minor registration, misplaced or lost voter’s ID cards and voters on transfer or relocation.
Touching on provisional figures for the recent limited registration exercise in the region, the director said that a total of 152,130 people were registered during the exercise in the 18 districts of the region.
He further indicated that out of that number 34,173 registered voters could not take their photographs.
According to the director, the EC would soon evolve a strategy to address the problem of bloated register.
According to the Regional Director of the EC, Mr Sylvester Kanyi, the committee would, among other things, examine challenges of minor and double registration, in line with Article 13 (1) of the Constitutional Instrument (CI 12) on public elections regulations of 1995.
The provision states that “there shall be established in each district a district review committee ... which shall examine challenges related to the registration of voters in the district”.
Furthermore, he said, “the CI enjoins the committee to decide whether or not the person is qualified to be registered as a voter and communicate its decision in writing to the EC”.
Mr Kanyi indicated that members of the committee would comprise district directors of education, representatives of traditional authorities, district police commanders, electoral officers as well as one representative each from active political parties in each district.
According to the director, the committee would pass judgement after investigations and aggrieved parties who were not satisfied with the judgement could proceed to the law courts.
“The committee will invite the challenger and the challenged to prove or disprove their claims,” he stated.
Mr Kanyi explained that the challenges recorded in the recent voters registration exercise included minor registration, misplaced or lost voter’s ID cards and voters on transfer or relocation.
Touching on provisional figures for the recent limited registration exercise in the region, the director said that a total of 152,130 people were registered during the exercise in the 18 districts of the region.
He further indicated that out of that number 34,173 registered voters could not take their photographs.
According to the director, the EC would soon evolve a strategy to address the problem of bloated register.
Thursday, August 21, 2008
BURSARIES FOR SPORTS BOYS AND GIRLS (JUNIOR GRAPHIC, BACK PAGE)
Participants who excelled in the Annual Northern Regional Basic Schools Inter-District Sports Festival will now enjoy bursaries of GH¢50 each.
This followed the inauguration of a five-year sponsorship package in Tamale by RICS Charities, a non-governmental organisation.
The package was aimed at enhancing the competitiveness of the festival as well as identifying and harnessing the development of sports talents, particularly among the youth in the region.
The Chairman of the Board of Trustees for RICS, Mr Rex Danquah, who announced the package at a press briefing in Tamale, explained that his outfit had already provided four footballs, plaques, trophies and medals for winners of this year’s competition.
He stated that incentives would be provided to participants who would excel in the competition, adding that “a bursary of GH¢50 would be given to each participant for as long as you continue to strive for excellence”.
Mr Danquah further indicated that “this incentive will continue up to the university level for as long as the beneficiaries continue to engage in sporting activities and achieve excellence.”
He also stated that his outfit would collaborate with the Ghana Education Service (GES) to provide sponsorship package for children who were out of school, but had great talent in sports.
That measure, he said, was to enable such less-privileged children to get access to quality education, while making sure that they developed their respective sports talents to the highest level.
Another package, he said, was to “award GH¢20 to any pupil who could break 20-year old records and GH¢10 to those who could break any 10-year-old record, while GH¢5 would go to any pupil who could break records below 10 years.”
According to him, the RICS had a plan to open special accounts at some banks, where beneficiary students and pupils could go with their identity cards to enable them to collect their grants.
The Regional Director of Education, Mr John Hobenu, expressed gratitude to RICS for their gesture, and noted that it would encourage the participants to strive for excellence.
“Northern Ghana has always been a stalwart in producing the nation’s sports giants. I, therefore, entreat all stakeholders to support this move by RICS to alleviate poverty among school pupils and enhance the quality of competitive school sports,” Mr Hobenu noted.
This followed the inauguration of a five-year sponsorship package in Tamale by RICS Charities, a non-governmental organisation.
The package was aimed at enhancing the competitiveness of the festival as well as identifying and harnessing the development of sports talents, particularly among the youth in the region.
The Chairman of the Board of Trustees for RICS, Mr Rex Danquah, who announced the package at a press briefing in Tamale, explained that his outfit had already provided four footballs, plaques, trophies and medals for winners of this year’s competition.
He stated that incentives would be provided to participants who would excel in the competition, adding that “a bursary of GH¢50 would be given to each participant for as long as you continue to strive for excellence”.
Mr Danquah further indicated that “this incentive will continue up to the university level for as long as the beneficiaries continue to engage in sporting activities and achieve excellence.”
He also stated that his outfit would collaborate with the Ghana Education Service (GES) to provide sponsorship package for children who were out of school, but had great talent in sports.
That measure, he said, was to enable such less-privileged children to get access to quality education, while making sure that they developed their respective sports talents to the highest level.
Another package, he said, was to “award GH¢20 to any pupil who could break 20-year old records and GH¢10 to those who could break any 10-year-old record, while GH¢5 would go to any pupil who could break records below 10 years.”
According to him, the RICS had a plan to open special accounts at some banks, where beneficiary students and pupils could go with their identity cards to enable them to collect their grants.
The Regional Director of Education, Mr John Hobenu, expressed gratitude to RICS for their gesture, and noted that it would encourage the participants to strive for excellence.
“Northern Ghana has always been a stalwart in producing the nation’s sports giants. I, therefore, entreat all stakeholders to support this move by RICS to alleviate poverty among school pupils and enhance the quality of competitive school sports,” Mr Hobenu noted.
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