THE Volta River Authority (VRA) has donated a cheque for GH¢10,000 to alleviate the suffering of disaster victims in northern Ghana.
It is also envisaged that the gesture would help rehabilitate the victims, most of whom had lost their means of livelihood through the floods that occurred during the latter part of last year.
The Director in charge of Special Duties of the VRA, Mr Kofi Asante, who made the presentation in Tamale, expressed his outfit’s determination to partner the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) and other institutions in managing flood situations in the three northern regions.
“We also want to demonstrate that we care for the communities that suffer from disasters,” the director stated.
He called for long-term strategic framework, including intensive public education campaigns to minimise the effects of floods.
Mr Asante stressed the need for the development of early warning mechanisms as a strategy to curb the devastating effects of floods.
According to him, the VRA and its counterpart in Burkina Faso, Sonabel, had evolved a long-term strategy to exchange information and intelligence on the rainfall pattern and its impact on the water level in dams.
Mr Asante observed that the effects of the spillage of the Bagre Dam in Burkina Faso had not been devastating on communities in the north this year because of early warning mechanisms and the intensive public education on the exercise in communities in flood-prone communities.
Earlier on, the director led a seven-member delegation from the VRA, including the Northern Area Manager of the Northern Electrification Department (NED), Mr Bukari Danladi, to call on the Northern Regional Minister, Alhaji Mustapha Ali Idris.
Alhaji Idris who received the cheque on behalf of the beneficiaries, thanked the company for the gesture.
He commended the VRA for taking keen interest in ameliorating the suffering of the victims, and urged other public-spirited individuals and organisations to emulate the gesture.
Friday, October 31, 2008
FARMERS SCHOOLED ON EFFECTS OF LAND DEGRADATION (PAGE 20)
THE quest for the creation of a conducive environment to mitigate land degradation and promote sustainable land management in northern Ghana depends to a large extent on the capacities of farmers in the area to understand and appreciate the nitty-gritty of land issues.
For that reason, agricultural scientists and researchers have teamed up and evolved effective strategies aimed at updating the knowledge and skills of farmers in the north as a way of building their capacities to help address land degradation so as to impact positively on agricultural biodiversity in the area in particular and the country at large.
It is gratifying to note that farmers in the northern part of the country have been given that opportunity to help address the challenges of land degradation through the implementation of the Sustainable Land Management for Mitigating Land Degradation (SLAM) project that was started in the country in 2005.
To date, the SLAM project has developed a methodology based on joint farmer-scientist perceptions for identifying and prioritising threatened lands, and criteria for identifying sustainable land management.
Other strategies developed under the SLAM project was educating farmers on good and best land management practices applied to recover degraded lands, protect those lands under threat, and enhance their ecological functions, agricultural production capacity and improve on rural livelihoods.
Major training for farmers in the north under the project include composting, weed management, nursery and plantation management, soil and water management, catchments protection and the identification of contours and construction of buns on the contours.
This training was followed by the planting of several thousands of seedlings in the Tolon-Kumbungu and Garu-Tempane Districts of the Northern and Upper East regions.
It is worthy to note that in the four years of its existence, SLAM has contributed significantly to sustainable ecosystem-based integrated land management for greater ecosystem stability, enhanced food security and improved rural livelihoods.
The project was based on research work in Ghana’s major agro-ecological zones.
It was funded mainly by the Global Environmental Facility (GEF) executed by the government and implemented by a United Nations Development Programme-supported consortium of scientists from various institutions led by the University of Ghana, Legon in Accra and the University for Development Studies (UDS) in the northern Ghana.
At Nyankpala in the Tolon-Kumbungu District recently, farmers were sensitised to the best sustainable land management practices as part of the SLAM project.
The aim was, among other objectives, to discuss best land management practices identified by scientists, researchers and farmers.
The beneficiary farmers admitted at the end of the interaction that they had had fruitful discussions that enabled them to understand the issues involved in land management and pledged to contribute meaningfully to the realisation of the objectives of the SLAM project.
Undoubtedly, land degradation threatens the global environment and humanity, especially through deforestation, biodiversity loss and climate warming.
In Ghana, 70 per cent of the land experiences severe heat and gully erosion, which have become the major constraint on agricultural productivity.
Biodiversity lost through deforestation and land degradation amounts to four per cent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
At the national and local levels, accelerated degradation threatens livelihoods, especially through soil erosion.
Explaining the benefits of the SLAM project on northern Ghana vis-a-vis farmers’ role in reducing land degradation, the National Project Co-ordinator, Professor Edwin Gyasi, stated that it was imperative for farmers to plant more trees by applying such farm practices as mixed farming and mixed cropping.
He stressed that farmers must avoid applying the same practices every planting season as they had the tendency of degrading land resources.
“Climate change poses a lot of threat to the survival of mankind; that is why the natural ecosystem must be improved as well as modifying the way we manage land resources,” he noted.
Professor Gyasi further explained that improvement in the quality of land regarding soil fertility, bio-diversity, water condition and general vegetative cover would ultimately enhance agricultural productivity, increase income levels for farmers and improvement in their quality of life.
“The expected reduction in the loss of bio-diversity should also help make available more fuel wood, wildlife, medicinal plants and improvement in the aesthetic quality of the land,” he noted.
The co-ordinator indicated that the extreme dry season, excessive rainfall patterns, tidal waves and other extreme weather conditions could be reduced to the barest minimum if farmers and other stakeholders took land degradation issues seriously.
For that reason, agricultural scientists and researchers have teamed up and evolved effective strategies aimed at updating the knowledge and skills of farmers in the north as a way of building their capacities to help address land degradation so as to impact positively on agricultural biodiversity in the area in particular and the country at large.
It is gratifying to note that farmers in the northern part of the country have been given that opportunity to help address the challenges of land degradation through the implementation of the Sustainable Land Management for Mitigating Land Degradation (SLAM) project that was started in the country in 2005.
To date, the SLAM project has developed a methodology based on joint farmer-scientist perceptions for identifying and prioritising threatened lands, and criteria for identifying sustainable land management.
Other strategies developed under the SLAM project was educating farmers on good and best land management practices applied to recover degraded lands, protect those lands under threat, and enhance their ecological functions, agricultural production capacity and improve on rural livelihoods.
Major training for farmers in the north under the project include composting, weed management, nursery and plantation management, soil and water management, catchments protection and the identification of contours and construction of buns on the contours.
This training was followed by the planting of several thousands of seedlings in the Tolon-Kumbungu and Garu-Tempane Districts of the Northern and Upper East regions.
It is worthy to note that in the four years of its existence, SLAM has contributed significantly to sustainable ecosystem-based integrated land management for greater ecosystem stability, enhanced food security and improved rural livelihoods.
The project was based on research work in Ghana’s major agro-ecological zones.
It was funded mainly by the Global Environmental Facility (GEF) executed by the government and implemented by a United Nations Development Programme-supported consortium of scientists from various institutions led by the University of Ghana, Legon in Accra and the University for Development Studies (UDS) in the northern Ghana.
At Nyankpala in the Tolon-Kumbungu District recently, farmers were sensitised to the best sustainable land management practices as part of the SLAM project.
The aim was, among other objectives, to discuss best land management practices identified by scientists, researchers and farmers.
The beneficiary farmers admitted at the end of the interaction that they had had fruitful discussions that enabled them to understand the issues involved in land management and pledged to contribute meaningfully to the realisation of the objectives of the SLAM project.
Undoubtedly, land degradation threatens the global environment and humanity, especially through deforestation, biodiversity loss and climate warming.
In Ghana, 70 per cent of the land experiences severe heat and gully erosion, which have become the major constraint on agricultural productivity.
Biodiversity lost through deforestation and land degradation amounts to four per cent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
At the national and local levels, accelerated degradation threatens livelihoods, especially through soil erosion.
Explaining the benefits of the SLAM project on northern Ghana vis-a-vis farmers’ role in reducing land degradation, the National Project Co-ordinator, Professor Edwin Gyasi, stated that it was imperative for farmers to plant more trees by applying such farm practices as mixed farming and mixed cropping.
He stressed that farmers must avoid applying the same practices every planting season as they had the tendency of degrading land resources.
“Climate change poses a lot of threat to the survival of mankind; that is why the natural ecosystem must be improved as well as modifying the way we manage land resources,” he noted.
Professor Gyasi further explained that improvement in the quality of land regarding soil fertility, bio-diversity, water condition and general vegetative cover would ultimately enhance agricultural productivity, increase income levels for farmers and improvement in their quality of life.
“The expected reduction in the loss of bio-diversity should also help make available more fuel wood, wildlife, medicinal plants and improvement in the aesthetic quality of the land,” he noted.
The co-ordinator indicated that the extreme dry season, excessive rainfall patterns, tidal waves and other extreme weather conditions could be reduced to the barest minimum if farmers and other stakeholders took land degradation issues seriously.
LIFE BOUNCES BACK AT NPP/NDC OFFICES AT SABONDJIDA (PAGE 15)
Life has bounced back at the offices of both the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) located at Sabondjida in Tamale after the scenes of suspected arson in September.
The two political parties have refurbished their offices, thanks to their respective party sympathisers. Sympathisers of both the NPP and NDC, used to gather at the two offices to interact with one another until that unfortunate incident occurred.
However, after the offices were put in shape by both parties, activities at both offices have returned to normal with members of both parties interacting as usual.
One fascinating thing about the offices is that they are places where sympathisers of both parties gather to eat together, chat, play Oware, draughts and super card, among other games.
Sympathisers of both parties go as far as supporting one another financially as brothers and not as enemies. So the pertinent question one could ask is, Why the arson on the offices?
The Chairman of Colba House and an NPP activist, Mr Nabal Abdulai, said all political parties often came to the NPP office to interact with them.
He alleged that the unfortunate incident that occurred was not perpetrated by people from the vicinity where the party’s office was located.
“This is where we all gather to take decisions to help turn around the party’s fortunes, but at the same time, we also interact with our brothers from all the other parties including the NDC”, he added.
According to Mr Abdulai, the party office had been in existence many years before the country’s democratisation and that socialisation among them, no matter their political affiliation, had been the status quo for a very long time.
“For me there is nothing wrong with people belonging to different political parties because it is their right but the issue is how best to comport ourselves so that we do not allow our emotions to override our reasoning”, he further asserted.
Touching on the renovation work, the chairman said that so far the party had spent GH¢3,500 to refurbish the office. He said they were able to raise the money through donations from party sympathisers in London as well as in Tamale. He made particular mention of the Metropolitan Chief Executive, Mr Mohammed Amin Adam, who, he said, equally supported efforts in putting the office in good shape.
“We are left with the laying of carpets, tables and chairs, the ceiling work and extension of power to the office as well as procurement of a television set”, Mr Abdulai said.
The NDC office which was once the Northern Regional office of the NDC had virtually been turned into a warehouse for some of the market women who keep their wares there at the end of the day for safety.
However, after the incident activities there had returned to normal with people from all other political parties gathering there to interact and play various games. The office is now being used as an office for NDC Youth Coalition activities.
The NDC is putting finishing touches to its office and the embossment of party symbols on the building is yet to be done.
According to Alhaji Abukari Chendiba, an elder and overseer of the office, some of the building materials were procured on credit. He further stated that because both the NDC and NPP activists are “brothers and not political enemies”, some NPP activists extended a hand of support to them donating bags of cement.
Alhaji Chendiba said the NDC had procured a new 21-inch television set after the old one at the office got burnt in the suspected arson.
The arson at both offices left in its trail destruction of property running into several thousands of Ghana cedis. Twelve sewing machines, two deep freezers, a television set, chairs and tables, spare parts and other valuable items were damaged in the process.
No casualties were recorded in that incident and no arrests had been made in connection with the disturbances.
Both parties had accused each other for allegedly perpetrating the arson.
Activists of both parties have expressed optimism that the election would be peaceful in Tamale.
The beauty of such interaction among all political party sympathisers at the offices must be encouraged and translated into peaceful elections in the December 7 polls.
The two political parties have refurbished their offices, thanks to their respective party sympathisers. Sympathisers of both the NPP and NDC, used to gather at the two offices to interact with one another until that unfortunate incident occurred.
However, after the offices were put in shape by both parties, activities at both offices have returned to normal with members of both parties interacting as usual.
One fascinating thing about the offices is that they are places where sympathisers of both parties gather to eat together, chat, play Oware, draughts and super card, among other games.
Sympathisers of both parties go as far as supporting one another financially as brothers and not as enemies. So the pertinent question one could ask is, Why the arson on the offices?
The Chairman of Colba House and an NPP activist, Mr Nabal Abdulai, said all political parties often came to the NPP office to interact with them.
He alleged that the unfortunate incident that occurred was not perpetrated by people from the vicinity where the party’s office was located.
“This is where we all gather to take decisions to help turn around the party’s fortunes, but at the same time, we also interact with our brothers from all the other parties including the NDC”, he added.
According to Mr Abdulai, the party office had been in existence many years before the country’s democratisation and that socialisation among them, no matter their political affiliation, had been the status quo for a very long time.
“For me there is nothing wrong with people belonging to different political parties because it is their right but the issue is how best to comport ourselves so that we do not allow our emotions to override our reasoning”, he further asserted.
Touching on the renovation work, the chairman said that so far the party had spent GH¢3,500 to refurbish the office. He said they were able to raise the money through donations from party sympathisers in London as well as in Tamale. He made particular mention of the Metropolitan Chief Executive, Mr Mohammed Amin Adam, who, he said, equally supported efforts in putting the office in good shape.
“We are left with the laying of carpets, tables and chairs, the ceiling work and extension of power to the office as well as procurement of a television set”, Mr Abdulai said.
The NDC office which was once the Northern Regional office of the NDC had virtually been turned into a warehouse for some of the market women who keep their wares there at the end of the day for safety.
However, after the incident activities there had returned to normal with people from all other political parties gathering there to interact and play various games. The office is now being used as an office for NDC Youth Coalition activities.
The NDC is putting finishing touches to its office and the embossment of party symbols on the building is yet to be done.
According to Alhaji Abukari Chendiba, an elder and overseer of the office, some of the building materials were procured on credit. He further stated that because both the NDC and NPP activists are “brothers and not political enemies”, some NPP activists extended a hand of support to them donating bags of cement.
Alhaji Chendiba said the NDC had procured a new 21-inch television set after the old one at the office got burnt in the suspected arson.
The arson at both offices left in its trail destruction of property running into several thousands of Ghana cedis. Twelve sewing machines, two deep freezers, a television set, chairs and tables, spare parts and other valuable items were damaged in the process.
No casualties were recorded in that incident and no arrests had been made in connection with the disturbances.
Both parties had accused each other for allegedly perpetrating the arson.
Activists of both parties have expressed optimism that the election would be peaceful in Tamale.
The beauty of such interaction among all political party sympathisers at the offices must be encouraged and translated into peaceful elections in the December 7 polls.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
STUDENTS AND MANAGEMENT OF SCHOOL OF HYGIENE CLASH ...Over non-payment of fees (PAGE 11)
THERE is a rift between final-year students and management of the School of Hygiene in Tamale over the non-payment of fees for the 2008/2009 academic year by the students.
In view of this, some students are alleged to have attempted to break into the dormitories to pack their belongings, because the management had prevented the affected students from gaining access to their respective dormitories when school re-opened.
It took the timely intervention of the police to bring the situation under control. The police also managed to prevail on the students to rescind their decision to embark on such illegal acts and rather make known their grievances.
The management, among other punitive measures, also prevented the students from writing their end-of-semester examinations and stopped processing forms for the payment of allowances to the affected students.
The Director of the school, Mr Philip Zori, told the Daily Graphic that the students who were expected to pay GH¢345 as their fees allegedly failed to do so, hence the management’s action.
According to him, the students were earlier informed through a letter, to pay their fees into the school’s account number 3943 at the Tamale branch of the National Investment Bank (NIB) on or before October 24, 2008.
Mr Zori said the continuous failure of students to pay their fees was affecting the smooth running of the school.
He noted that payment of allowances to students had delayed due to some problems, hence the management’s decision that parents and guardians should assist in the payment of the school fees, particularly the feeding fee of GH¢200 per semester.
“I printed letters and carried them to the regional offices of health administration; majority of the students got the letters but they still failed to pay their fees,” he stated.
As a result of the stringent measures put in place by the management, about 30 students had paid the fees.
The director further expressed regret that some of the students went to some FM stations in the metropolis and accused him of being unfair in his dealings with the students.
According to him, the school admitted 300 fresh students for the 2008/2009 academic year, adding that there were 402 final-year students in the school.
A final-year female student who pleaded anonymity said she was not aware of the said amount of fees they were required to pay and she had not received any letter from the school’s management on the deadline for the payment of such fees.
She, however, admitted that some of her mates had refused to pay their feeding fees for the past one year.
In view of this, some students are alleged to have attempted to break into the dormitories to pack their belongings, because the management had prevented the affected students from gaining access to their respective dormitories when school re-opened.
It took the timely intervention of the police to bring the situation under control. The police also managed to prevail on the students to rescind their decision to embark on such illegal acts and rather make known their grievances.
The management, among other punitive measures, also prevented the students from writing their end-of-semester examinations and stopped processing forms for the payment of allowances to the affected students.
The Director of the school, Mr Philip Zori, told the Daily Graphic that the students who were expected to pay GH¢345 as their fees allegedly failed to do so, hence the management’s action.
According to him, the students were earlier informed through a letter, to pay their fees into the school’s account number 3943 at the Tamale branch of the National Investment Bank (NIB) on or before October 24, 2008.
Mr Zori said the continuous failure of students to pay their fees was affecting the smooth running of the school.
He noted that payment of allowances to students had delayed due to some problems, hence the management’s decision that parents and guardians should assist in the payment of the school fees, particularly the feeding fee of GH¢200 per semester.
“I printed letters and carried them to the regional offices of health administration; majority of the students got the letters but they still failed to pay their fees,” he stated.
As a result of the stringent measures put in place by the management, about 30 students had paid the fees.
The director further expressed regret that some of the students went to some FM stations in the metropolis and accused him of being unfair in his dealings with the students.
According to him, the school admitted 300 fresh students for the 2008/2009 academic year, adding that there were 402 final-year students in the school.
A final-year female student who pleaded anonymity said she was not aware of the said amount of fees they were required to pay and she had not received any letter from the school’s management on the deadline for the payment of such fees.
She, however, admitted that some of her mates had refused to pay their feeding fees for the past one year.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
SCRAP DEALERS APPEAL FOR CREDIT (PAGE 29)
THE scrap industry in the Tamale metropolis is one sector that has the potential to address youth unemployment in the metropolis.
However, those in that industry have little or no support to help boost the sector to address the unemployment challenges facing the youth in the area.
Majority of the residents who are into that business claim that they have not regretted for having ventured into that industry although some of them complain of lack of credit facilities from the banks and other financial institutions to boost their business.
For one thing, scrap dealers in the metropolis have indicated that there is the need for a factory to be located in Tamale to recycle the scrap materials into useful items like iron rods and burglar-proof materials.
This, according to the scrap dealers, would help expand the sector, offer employment to many of the youth and also avoid the reported cheating by their customers in Accra anytime they transact business with them.
Some of the scrap dealers also called on the government to promulgate laws that would regulate the activities of scrap dealers and help the industry to grow rather than allow a few people to destroy it.
Forty-year-old Mr Iddrisu Mohammed is one of the scrap dealers in the metropolis who has been in the business for the past 15 years and he admits that it is lucrative.
His business is located along the Water Works road in the metropolis and has six people working under him. His team comprises steel benders and welders who perform other related jobs.
Scrap dealing was not Mr Mohammed’s main profession. He started as a blacksmith and with time decided to venture into the scrap dealing business as well, since he saw that as more rewarding. He, however, combines his two jobs effectively.
What makes Mr Mohammed unique is the way he uses some of the scrap materials to produce cooking utensils, coal pots, iron rods, metal beds, buckets, watering cans, dustbins and rain water harvesting pipes.
Mr Mohammed told the Daily Graphic that he was living comfortably but stressed that one needed not less than GH¢10,000 to start scrap dealing business, as it is capital-intensive.
“The business has been good and over the years our sales have been increasing. I was selling my aluminium cooking bowls, for instance, for 6Gp each last year but now I sell one for GH¢1.00,” he said.
According to him, patronage of the scrap materials including the products he makes himself has been encouraging in the metropolis.
He said he spent between GH¢1,000 and GH¢1,200 to transport a full load of scrap materials on articulated trucks from Tamale to Accra.
On how he obtained his scrap materials, Mr Mohammed said he bought them from mechanics, construction firms, petrol stations and sometimes he travelled to villages to procure them.
“We do not have the requisite machines and factory here in Tamale to recycle the scrap materials into other products”, he bemoaned.
Mr Fatau Imoro, who is affectionately called “Busy Man”, is an assistant to Mr Mohammed who complained bitterly about the alleged cheating of scrap dealers by their customers in Accra during transactions.
“We therefore entreat our colleagues in this business to join hands with us to form a formidable association that would champion our cause and ensure that we have a fair deal on the job market”, he said.
However, those in that industry have little or no support to help boost the sector to address the unemployment challenges facing the youth in the area.
Majority of the residents who are into that business claim that they have not regretted for having ventured into that industry although some of them complain of lack of credit facilities from the banks and other financial institutions to boost their business.
For one thing, scrap dealers in the metropolis have indicated that there is the need for a factory to be located in Tamale to recycle the scrap materials into useful items like iron rods and burglar-proof materials.
This, according to the scrap dealers, would help expand the sector, offer employment to many of the youth and also avoid the reported cheating by their customers in Accra anytime they transact business with them.
Some of the scrap dealers also called on the government to promulgate laws that would regulate the activities of scrap dealers and help the industry to grow rather than allow a few people to destroy it.
Forty-year-old Mr Iddrisu Mohammed is one of the scrap dealers in the metropolis who has been in the business for the past 15 years and he admits that it is lucrative.
His business is located along the Water Works road in the metropolis and has six people working under him. His team comprises steel benders and welders who perform other related jobs.
Scrap dealing was not Mr Mohammed’s main profession. He started as a blacksmith and with time decided to venture into the scrap dealing business as well, since he saw that as more rewarding. He, however, combines his two jobs effectively.
What makes Mr Mohammed unique is the way he uses some of the scrap materials to produce cooking utensils, coal pots, iron rods, metal beds, buckets, watering cans, dustbins and rain water harvesting pipes.
Mr Mohammed told the Daily Graphic that he was living comfortably but stressed that one needed not less than GH¢10,000 to start scrap dealing business, as it is capital-intensive.
“The business has been good and over the years our sales have been increasing. I was selling my aluminium cooking bowls, for instance, for 6Gp each last year but now I sell one for GH¢1.00,” he said.
According to him, patronage of the scrap materials including the products he makes himself has been encouraging in the metropolis.
He said he spent between GH¢1,000 and GH¢1,200 to transport a full load of scrap materials on articulated trucks from Tamale to Accra.
On how he obtained his scrap materials, Mr Mohammed said he bought them from mechanics, construction firms, petrol stations and sometimes he travelled to villages to procure them.
“We do not have the requisite machines and factory here in Tamale to recycle the scrap materials into other products”, he bemoaned.
Mr Fatau Imoro, who is affectionately called “Busy Man”, is an assistant to Mr Mohammed who complained bitterly about the alleged cheating of scrap dealers by their customers in Accra during transactions.
“We therefore entreat our colleagues in this business to join hands with us to form a formidable association that would champion our cause and ensure that we have a fair deal on the job market”, he said.
RESIDENTS SENSITISED TO EFFECTS OF VIOLENCE (PAGE 29)
THE Global Prayer Force, a non-governmental organisation, has inaugurated a public campaign on peace in the Tamale metropolis. It took the form of a video show depicting the negative impact of violence and wars on the development of communities and countries on the African continent.
A good number of residents converged on the central taxi ranks for the campaign that lasted close to two hours.
The founder and executive director of the organisation, Pastor Matthew Osei, called on residents, particularly the youth, to eschew all forms of violence in order to promote peace in the metropolis.
Pastor Osei entreated traditional rulers and residents to make the metropolis a safe haven for investment. He observed that the much talked about power sharing is not the best for our country’s democracy and peace.
According to the pastor, the organisation was made up of both Christians and Muslims and was established in the year 2000.
The founder said that the fact that Christians and Muslims worked harmoniously within the organisation was enough proof that residents could also co-exist peacefully no matter their political and religious backgrounds.
Pastor Osei further appealed to the Tamale Metropolitan Assembly (TAMA) and the Information Services Department (ISD) to formulate effective strategies to intensify the campaign on the need to promote peace in the sprawling metropolis.
“This city is so beautiful that we have to ensure that we protect it so that it develops rapidly,” he advised.
A good number of residents converged on the central taxi ranks for the campaign that lasted close to two hours.
The founder and executive director of the organisation, Pastor Matthew Osei, called on residents, particularly the youth, to eschew all forms of violence in order to promote peace in the metropolis.
Pastor Osei entreated traditional rulers and residents to make the metropolis a safe haven for investment. He observed that the much talked about power sharing is not the best for our country’s democracy and peace.
According to the pastor, the organisation was made up of both Christians and Muslims and was established in the year 2000.
The founder said that the fact that Christians and Muslims worked harmoniously within the organisation was enough proof that residents could also co-exist peacefully no matter their political and religious backgrounds.
Pastor Osei further appealed to the Tamale Metropolitan Assembly (TAMA) and the Information Services Department (ISD) to formulate effective strategies to intensify the campaign on the need to promote peace in the sprawling metropolis.
“This city is so beautiful that we have to ensure that we protect it so that it develops rapidly,” he advised.
AUTO MECHANICS IMPROVE THEIR COMPETENCIES (PAGE 29)
THE automobile industry is one vital sector that propels the economy of any society.
The Tamale metropolis is no exception to this development.
The sprawling city has for the past five years experienced rapid growth in the automobile industry with a growing passion for the latest and sophisticated vehicles among residents. Name any latest model of car found in Accra or Tema and you would be surprised that such vehicles are on the streets of Tamale although they are fewer in number compared to Accra.
Is it the stylish Murano or the VW Tuareg? The new Sports Utility Vehicle (SUVs) like the Ssangyong Actyon and the Toyota RAV4s are all conspicuous on the streets of Tamale. So also are the compact Multi-Purpose Vehicles (MPVs) like the diesel-powered Opel Zafira, Toyota Corolla, Nissan Primera, and Opel Astra, which all make up a significant number of the saloon hatchback and caravan types of vehicles owned by residents in the metropolis.
However, before the automobile industry can effectively drive the economy, much depends on effective maintenance and good motor mechanics.
For one thing, just as residents are now purchasing more and more sophisticated vehicles so are the car mechanics in the metropolis also updating their knowledge to be abreast of the rapid technological advancements in the automobile industry.
Indeed, a significant number of car mechanics in the metropolis have updated their knowledge more effectively now than they were doing some five years ago, but some of them too are lagging behind in keeping pace with the modernisation of the automobile industry.
Some customers and residents have admitted that a significant number of mechanics in the metropolis are now updating their skills in consonance with the rapid modernisation of the automobile industry.
They also acknowledged that some of the mechanics need to update their knowledge and skills to be able to repair some of the sophisticated vehicles owned by residents.
A car mechanic is one who specialises in the maintenance, repair and sometimes modification of automobiles. A mechanic may be knowledgeable in working on all parts of a variety of cars or might specialise either in a specific area or make of a car.
Before he repairs a car, the mechanic gives the customer a quotation or does so after inspecting the damaged part.
Preventive maintenance is also a part of the mechanic’s job but this is not possible in the case of vehicles that are not regularly maintained.
With the rapid advancement in technology, the mechanic’s job has evolved from purely what is mechanical to include electronics.
Because vehicles today possess complex computer and electronic systems, mechanics need to have a broader base of knowledge than was the case in the past.
In Tamale, a good number of mechanics have specialised in working on one part of a vehicle or another. There are mechanics who are specialists in repairing only the braking system of a vehicle, while others have specialised in fuel injector. Some of them have modern equipment to detect fault on injector systems.
Mechanics who specialise in the repair of diesel engine vehicles are also available while others specialise in the repair of petrol engine vehicles only. Another category of mechanics that can be found in the metropolis are those who specialise in Japanese made vehicles like Toyota and Nissan while others specialise in German cars like Benz, Opel and VWs.
There are yet others who do repair works on any model.
It is heart-warming to note that some mechanics in the metropolis have in their own small way been browsing the Internet to learn new things and broaden their knowledge on a wide range of vehicles, particularly the highly sophisticated ones.
A mechanic at Jisonayili, a suburb of Tamale affectionately called Dan by his customers, is one of the seasoned mechanics in the metropolis who repairs all kinds of vehicles, be they petrol engine or diesel. In other words this mechanic is “technologically alive”.
Recently, some of the customers told the Daily Graphic that they had impressed upon Dan to name his shop “The Last Stop Workshop”.
No matter the extent of damage on one’s vehicle this mechanic has the time and the know-how for diagnostics of very complex car problems and making sure they are resolved once and for all.
Dan told the Daily Graphic that anytime he had jobs he ensured that he completed all of them on schedule to enable him to have time for research.
“As for me, no matter the level of damage to your vehicle l will ensure that when l repair it you don’t keep coming back to my shop within a few days but to enjoy your driving for months,” he said.
One fascinating thing about this mechanic is that he takes his time to systematically assess the problem and not resort to “trial and error” as is usually the case with some mechanics.
There are mechanics who can tell when something goes wrong in an engine by simply listening to its sound. Sule, another mechanic whose shop is located around the Next Door Drinking Spot on the Kalpohini road, is very good at that. He has specialised in the repair of Opel cars. Those who patronise his services in the metropolis say he is sharp in detecting faulty engines by listening to the sound.
In spite of the significant strides made by most mechanics to be abreast of automobile engineering, others have been found wanting in this regard.
At present the greatest challenge facing most mechanics is the repair of diesel-powered vehicles.
Some mechanics have therefore suggested to public-spirited individuals and non-governmental organisations to organise workshops and other programmes to update their knowledge, since that would enable them to be more efficient in the repair of such vehicles to contribute their quota to the growth of the economy in the metropolis.
With residents now acquiring more and more sophisticated vehicles, the mechanics need to update their knowledge to make them more competitive on the job market as residents will keep changing their taste and preferences for as long as the manufacturers keep changing car models and technology.
The Tamale metropolis is no exception to this development.
The sprawling city has for the past five years experienced rapid growth in the automobile industry with a growing passion for the latest and sophisticated vehicles among residents. Name any latest model of car found in Accra or Tema and you would be surprised that such vehicles are on the streets of Tamale although they are fewer in number compared to Accra.
Is it the stylish Murano or the VW Tuareg? The new Sports Utility Vehicle (SUVs) like the Ssangyong Actyon and the Toyota RAV4s are all conspicuous on the streets of Tamale. So also are the compact Multi-Purpose Vehicles (MPVs) like the diesel-powered Opel Zafira, Toyota Corolla, Nissan Primera, and Opel Astra, which all make up a significant number of the saloon hatchback and caravan types of vehicles owned by residents in the metropolis.
However, before the automobile industry can effectively drive the economy, much depends on effective maintenance and good motor mechanics.
For one thing, just as residents are now purchasing more and more sophisticated vehicles so are the car mechanics in the metropolis also updating their knowledge to be abreast of the rapid technological advancements in the automobile industry.
Indeed, a significant number of car mechanics in the metropolis have updated their knowledge more effectively now than they were doing some five years ago, but some of them too are lagging behind in keeping pace with the modernisation of the automobile industry.
Some customers and residents have admitted that a significant number of mechanics in the metropolis are now updating their skills in consonance with the rapid modernisation of the automobile industry.
They also acknowledged that some of the mechanics need to update their knowledge and skills to be able to repair some of the sophisticated vehicles owned by residents.
A car mechanic is one who specialises in the maintenance, repair and sometimes modification of automobiles. A mechanic may be knowledgeable in working on all parts of a variety of cars or might specialise either in a specific area or make of a car.
Before he repairs a car, the mechanic gives the customer a quotation or does so after inspecting the damaged part.
Preventive maintenance is also a part of the mechanic’s job but this is not possible in the case of vehicles that are not regularly maintained.
With the rapid advancement in technology, the mechanic’s job has evolved from purely what is mechanical to include electronics.
Because vehicles today possess complex computer and electronic systems, mechanics need to have a broader base of knowledge than was the case in the past.
In Tamale, a good number of mechanics have specialised in working on one part of a vehicle or another. There are mechanics who are specialists in repairing only the braking system of a vehicle, while others have specialised in fuel injector. Some of them have modern equipment to detect fault on injector systems.
Mechanics who specialise in the repair of diesel engine vehicles are also available while others specialise in the repair of petrol engine vehicles only. Another category of mechanics that can be found in the metropolis are those who specialise in Japanese made vehicles like Toyota and Nissan while others specialise in German cars like Benz, Opel and VWs.
There are yet others who do repair works on any model.
It is heart-warming to note that some mechanics in the metropolis have in their own small way been browsing the Internet to learn new things and broaden their knowledge on a wide range of vehicles, particularly the highly sophisticated ones.
A mechanic at Jisonayili, a suburb of Tamale affectionately called Dan by his customers, is one of the seasoned mechanics in the metropolis who repairs all kinds of vehicles, be they petrol engine or diesel. In other words this mechanic is “technologically alive”.
Recently, some of the customers told the Daily Graphic that they had impressed upon Dan to name his shop “The Last Stop Workshop”.
No matter the extent of damage on one’s vehicle this mechanic has the time and the know-how for diagnostics of very complex car problems and making sure they are resolved once and for all.
Dan told the Daily Graphic that anytime he had jobs he ensured that he completed all of them on schedule to enable him to have time for research.
“As for me, no matter the level of damage to your vehicle l will ensure that when l repair it you don’t keep coming back to my shop within a few days but to enjoy your driving for months,” he said.
One fascinating thing about this mechanic is that he takes his time to systematically assess the problem and not resort to “trial and error” as is usually the case with some mechanics.
There are mechanics who can tell when something goes wrong in an engine by simply listening to its sound. Sule, another mechanic whose shop is located around the Next Door Drinking Spot on the Kalpohini road, is very good at that. He has specialised in the repair of Opel cars. Those who patronise his services in the metropolis say he is sharp in detecting faulty engines by listening to the sound.
In spite of the significant strides made by most mechanics to be abreast of automobile engineering, others have been found wanting in this regard.
At present the greatest challenge facing most mechanics is the repair of diesel-powered vehicles.
Some mechanics have therefore suggested to public-spirited individuals and non-governmental organisations to organise workshops and other programmes to update their knowledge, since that would enable them to be more efficient in the repair of such vehicles to contribute their quota to the growth of the economy in the metropolis.
With residents now acquiring more and more sophisticated vehicles, the mechanics need to update their knowledge to make them more competitive on the job market as residents will keep changing their taste and preferences for as long as the manufacturers keep changing car models and technology.
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