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Award winning Journalists from Home Radio paid a courtesy call on Upper West Regional Minister, Dr. Hafiz Bin Salih and his Deputy, Hon Amidu Chinnia on Tuesday 23^rd April 2019. The purpose of their visit was to introduce to the Minister, some awards they won and to also use the opportunity to express their heart felt gratitude to the Minster and the Regional Coordinating Council for the support given them financially to aid them travel to Accra for the awards when they were nominated.

Programs Manager of Home Radio, Mr. Warris Anaka said, as a media organization, they filed in for five categories of awards and won four awards at the just ended FOXLET Media Award night held in Accra at the National Theatre on the 20^th April, 2019.

“We went there having filed in for five categories of the awards namely, the morning show of the year, sports presenter of the year, entertainment program of the year, drive time show of the year and one other award. Some noble radio stations in the region also took part in these award categories but fortunately on our part as the last and youngest radio station in the Upper West Region, we were able to win four out of the five categories we filed”, he noted.

The General Manager of Home Radio, Mr. Abdella Asprila, indicated that, over the years, there has not been any better collaboration and cooperation between the media and the state institutions in the region. In recent times, the story is not the same and that, the support they enjoyed from the Regional Coordinating Council is an indication of good collaboration between the State Institutions and the media. He prayed such cordial relationship should continue to exist in other to collectively push the developmental agenda of the region to another level. He noted that, the media play a key role in developmental issues of the region which he believe strong collaboration between the RCC and the media would help in realizing the dreams of the region.

Deputy Upper West Regional Minister, Hon. Amidu Chinnia, indicated that, the region was fortunate to have a very proactive person who is very sensitive to media issues. He said, they would work together with the media in making Upper West a better place. He said for the Minister to succeed, he needs the support of the media

The Upper West Regional Minister, Dr. Hafiz Bin Salih congratulated the Journalist on behalf of the Upper West Regional Coordinating Council and the region at large  for winning the awards and bringing it to his office to introduce to him. He indicated that he sees the media as a key partner in the developmental agenda for the region.

“Politics like any other viable business needs public attention and who can draw public attention like the media? We would cooperate  as well as liaise with the media so that whatever we are doing in the region would be made known to not only people in the region, but Ghana and the entire world”, he noted.

He indicated that he knows the important role the media play in the development of the nation and that the Regional Coordinating Council would always involve the media in all that they do. He added that whatever assistance the media need in carrying out its duties would be given attention.

Dr. Bin Salih advised that, in as much as the media projects their work in the region, whenever there are shortfalls, they should not hesitate to call on them for such shortfalls to be addressed.

A delegation from the University for Development Studies (UDS) led by the principal of the wa campus paid a courtesy call on the Upper West Regional Minister Dr. Hafiz bin salih and his Deputy Hon. Amidu Chinnia, in the office. The purpose of the visit was to formally congratulate the Minister for his appointment and to also brief him on the state of the University.

Principal of the UDS Wa campus, Professor Amin Alhassan addressing the status of the university indicated that, the inauguration of a university requires infrastructure and therefore called on government to come to their aid by completing all uncompleted projects on campus.  According to him, there has been some number of uncompleted projects on campus which when completed, would solve the infrastructure deficit in the university.

He added that, security has become a major challenge to them on campus which needs to be addressed by the Regional Minister and his outfit. He explained that even though they have put in place some mechanisms with the Bamahu Assembly man, it was not enough to deal with the entire security situation. He appealed to the Minister to assist the school for a permanent   solution by getting them a police station in Bamahu. “Getting a police station in Bamahu would minimize crime on campus”, he noted.

According to Professor  Amin, the university has a challenge on payment of electricity bills especially, at the time that government is introducing a policy that all universities should start paying electricity bill on their own. He said they had a discussion with NEDCO over a six (6) Million electricity debt they owe. He noted that, the monthly electricity  bills of the university is about 70,000 of which 70% of the bills is consumed by students at their hostels.

Professor Amin said, in solving the problem, the school Authorities has decided to fix prepaid meters in all students’ hostels in other to control the high consumption rate.

Upper West Regional Minister in response to the request made by the Principal, indicated that, the Regional Coordinating Council has taken critical note of the uncompleted projects doted around the university. He then tasked the university administration to furnish the RCC with list of all uncompleted projects so that it can be forwarded to the Ministry of Education for further actions.

Dr Bin Salih indicated that, by September 2019, the bill that is before Parliament for the UDS Wa campus autonomy would be passed and that there is the need to get some of the uncompleted projects, completed to enable the university function efficiently.

On security issues, the Minister assured that he was working hard with the Minister of Interior to increase the number of police personnel in the region which would also aid the Police Service put up a police post in Bamahu.

He added that he would take up the issue of electricity with the Minister of Education and however cautioned the University Authorities against increasing students fees because of the electricity debt.

The Upper West Regional Minister Dr. Hafiz Bin Salih commended the Ministry of Health and Ghana Health Service for working together to improve health service delivery in the country.

He indicated that the service has been very proactive in handling health cases and dealing with health emergencies in the country. This he said the level of professionalism and sacrifice that most health professionals make in the delivery of health services particularly in the rural areas desire nothing but applauds.

He entreated the other public services in the country to emulate the shining example of the Ghana Health Service to improve public service delivery in Ghana.

This was said in speech delivered on behalf of the Minister by the Upper West Regional Coordinating Director Mr. Gilbert Nuuri-teg on the occasion of the World Hemophilia Day Celebration in Wa, on Wednesday 17th April, 2019.s

He said it was sad to note that some rather rare genetic disease such bleeding disorders have not attracted much attention from our health authorities.

“As a result of the less attention paid to this disorders, cases are often detected at the complicated stage which often result in death of patients”, he added.

According to him, a typical example of such bleeding disorders is hemophilia, which is a condition managed at the tertiary hospital. According to experts, hemophilia is a very rare disorder and occurs in frequently and is known to be among small group of our population which most at times males are affected by this blood disorder.

Dr. Bin Salih indicated that about two thousand nine hundred (2900) people were estimated to be persons living with hemophilia (PLWH) in Ghana.

He added that out of the two thousand nine hundred (2900) people, only about 300 people were known to be registered as people suffering from the disorder in Ghana according to the Ghana Society of Hemophilia. He therefore called for the need to intensify effort to sensitize parents and health professionals about the condition so that together we detect and identify those suffering from this bleeding disorder.

The Upper West Regional Minister Hon. Dr. Hafiz Bin Salih has call for a concerted and collaborative effort of all stakeholders in education to improve upon performance at the basic and second cycle level.

Dr.  Bin Salih said quality education in the Upper West Region remains a challenge and that many of the public basic schools are not producing the desired results for various reason among which were: lack of adequate infrastructure and lack of adequate supervision

He noted that, he believe that even in the midst of these challenges we can do better if we can intensify monitoring, supervision and enforcement of discipline among teachers and pupils.

“Let us bear in mind that even with the best infrastructure best results can be achieved without effective monitoring, supervision and discipline. There is therefore the need for all stakeholders to play their respective roles as policy makes, educational authorities, implementer s and parents for the desired to be attained”, he explained.

Dr. Bin Salih said this in a speech delivered on behalf of him by the Upper West Regional Coordinating Director Mr. Gilbert Nuuri-teg at a book donation ceremony to Wa Regional Library on Thursday 18th April, 2019.

He commended the management of Rescue to effective learning through creative application and support for suffering orphans and victims of the broken homes-Ghana (Relcassovb) for implementing this laudable project to complement the effort of Ghana Education Service.

“I believed strongly that it will go a long way to improve on the quality of education in the Upper West Region”, he noted.

RELCASSOBV Ghana, a nongovernmental organization based in Wa, supplied 100 assorted books to management of the Upper West Regional Library with a call on government to prioritize creative arts education to boost job creation.

The organizations believes granting top priority to Creative Arts Education in the country would unearth many hidden talents of the youth and help create vast employment opportunities for those without jobs.

Board Chairman of RELCASSOBV, Dr. Prosper B. Laari who is also a senior lecturer at the University for Development campus in Wa said basic school teachers and pupils require relevant resources to facilitate the teaching and learning of Creative Arts but do not have, hence the NGO’s gesture to assist the regional library with the materials.

He said successive administrations have played vital roles in revamping Ministry of Tourism and Creative Art industry but there had been “no direct connection” between the Ministry and Ghana Education Service

Music icon and Founder of Wiyaala Foundation, Ms  Nuellla Wiyaala, called for a review Ghana’s educational curricular to place more emphasize on Creative Arts, Vocational and Technical subjects.

According to her, the western world has advanced in music and film acting through what is being practiced in schools right from infancy to adulthood but the story here in Ghana is different.

Sharing her experiences, she said in Europe, Creative Arts and Information and Communication Technology are compulsory and opportunities are given to children to practice music at studios or operate computers in laboratories but unfortunately in Ghana little or no attention is given to the two subjects.

Upper West Regional Minister, Dr. Hafiz Bin Salih   has called on chiefs and people of Takpo traditional area under Nadowli/Kaleo District to always report criminals living among them and their activities to the Police. He said this would assist the police in fighting the high rate of crime in the region.

The call was made in response to insecurity concerns raised by the paramount chief of Takpo, Naa Widaana Nanga during the celebration of the 2019  Wilaa Festival at Takpo.

Dr. Bin Salih said “reporting criminals to the Police will assist in arresting such criminals in our society which can reduce the crime rate in the region”. He cautioned the public against running to his office or any politician for help whenever a criminal is arrested stressing that he would not tolerate it under his leadership as Regional Minister.

According to him, working to develop the region and minimizing crime in the Upper West Region was his top most priority. He noted that the criminals terrorizing the region were living in various homes with their family members,  yet people fail or refuse to report about their activities but rather shelve them from the police.

“The criminals are living with us in our homes and we know them but would never report them to the police. As soon as one is arrested, you would see parents of this criminals running to the Regional Minister, DCE and other politicians to talk to the police to release them with the notion that, we are all one people”, he explained.

Dr. Bin Salih told the gathering of chiefs and people of Takpo that such attitude must be condemned by all to pave way for the police to freely do their work without obstructions.

“I promise you that I would do anything humanly possible that would assist the police to fight crime to its barest level in the region”, he added.

Dr. Bin Salih in his quest to improving health service delivery, said he was working hard towards seeing the completion and operationalization of the Regional Hospital in Wa.He said the Health Minister will visit the region in May 2019 to see how best they can collaborate to the complete the project behind schedule.

He also called on the people of Upper West Region to take advantage of government’s Planting for Food and Job programme to alleviate poverty and reduce hunger. He noted that, fertilizer smuggling into the neibouring countries that was meant to support farmers in the region has become a major Challenge.  He challenged people to report such cases to the police anytime there is a hint on anybody smuggling fertilizer out.

The Regional Minister said the distribution of fertilizer to farmers was nonpartisan and that people should take advantage of it and register under the programme. He said, “if anyone is denied of fertilizer on partisan ground the person should report to him immediately For the necessary actions to be taken”.

Hon. Amidu Issahaku Chinnia, the Deputy Upper West Regional Minster, has called for unwavering support towards implementation of myriad of development policies and programmes to alleviate poverty and improve living conditions, especially among rural farmers.

Programmes like; Planting for Food and Jobs, One Village One dam, One District One dam, One District One Warehouse and other flagship programmes, he echoed, were deliberately introduced by government to stimulate economic growth and ease financial burdens of the populace.

Mr Chinnia was addressing the Chiefs and people of Sankana in the Nadowli-Kaleo Distrct during the celebration of Kalibi Festival which was on the theme: “Ghana beyond aid: the role of traditional authorities”.

About 29,349 farmers benefited from the Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJ) in 2017 with significant increase to 117,200 farmers in 2018 and a projection of 200,000 farmers in 2019.

Under the Planting for Export and Rural Development programme, about 40,000 cashew seedlings were also provided to farmers in the region last year, according to the agriculture directorate.

The Deputy Minister told celebrants of the festival that about 100,000 seedlings would be made available to farmers in the region this year to supplement their annual yields.

“I entreat the youth of Sankana and the [Upper West] region as a whole to take advantage of arable lands coupled with subsidised fertilizer to engage in farming,” he said.

Aside the Free Senior High School (SHS) policy, he added, government had introduced a new educational curricular reforms to develop the human resource capacity of the Ghanaian child.

He directed the 11 Municipal, and District Assemblies to move residents on water ways to higher grounds to avert any calamity due to flooding following the warning issued by Ghana Meteorological Department of imminent downpour.

Naa Pagranige Saakoe Mornah III, the Paramount Chief of Sankana Traditional Area, called for re-integration of the Sankana dam under the One Village, One Dam programme to boost promote dry season gardening.

He expressed gratitude to government for elevating the Sankana Chieftaincy into a Paramount status in 2017.

Mr Musah Sangmene, Vice President of Sankana Youth and Development Association (SAYDA) was worried about increasing rate of drug abuse, indiscriminate cutting of economic trees, sand wining, illegal mining and falling standards of education in the area.

He appealed to government for the development of Sankana scenic rocks into a tourist attraction and called for the provision of potable water, electricity and establishment of a second cycle institution for the community.

The Upper West Regional Minister, Dr. Hafiz Bin-Salih, has promised heavy infrastructural investment that will see massive construction and rehabilitation of roads and completion of projects initiated by the previous administration to improve livelihoods.

He said his leadership would ensure the completion and operationalization of the Upper West Regional Hospital, which was stalled over the years and commencement of commercial flights at the new Regional Airport refurbished by the past government.
Dr. Bin-Salih made the pledge in a speech delivered on his behalf by the Upper West Regional Coordinating Director, Mr Gilbert Nuuri-Teg, during the 2018 Annual Review session held in Wa on the 11th April 2019.

According to him, 69 solar powered limited mechanized boreholes under the Ministry of Special Development Initiatives (SDI) were under construction in various communities across the 11 constituencies.
Dr. Bin-Salih said the Ministry of Special Development Initiatives, was constructing a 10-seater water closet institutional toilet with mechanized boreholes across the Region to improve sanitation and water situations.
Under the Government’s One-Village One-Dam policy, the Minister said contracts for the construction of 110 No small dams and dug-outs have been awarded for construction nationwide with each of the regions receiving 10 dams. This he said, site was handed over to the contractors and construction works on-going.
He noted that, under the One-District, One-Warehouse program, 4 No. one thousand (1,000) metric tons capacity warehouse project were under construction at Bulenga, Busie, Han and Chariakpong while the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) was constructing 3 No. warehouses at Tumu, Funsi and Lambussie to supplement existing 4 No. warehouse and a park house for grains and vegetables storage at Sombo, Gwollu, Eremon and Yagha in the region

Dr Bin-Salih said the Regional Coordinating Council had received funding from the World Bank towards the cost of selected Sustainable Rural Water and Sanitation Projects in the region. These he said included civil works on the construction of Lambussie water supply system, rehabilitation and expansion of Hamile/ Happa water supply systems and establishment of 10 No. water systems five districts, namely Lawra, Jirapa, Nandom, Sissala West and Daffiama-Busie-Issah.
He noted that, the Nation Builders’ Corps had engaged 2,256 graduates in various modules while the National Youth Authority engaged 770 persons in 2018.
“A sanitation module would be implemented year and would engage 980 beneficiaries by end of April 2019 and an additional 800 by end of May 2019 in the region. New modules would also be rolled out in poultry production, shea butter processing and smock weaving” he added
These he said would create about 3000 additional jobs for the youth in the region.
Mr Salifu Issifu Kanton, the Executive Director of Community Development Alliance (CDA), appealed to MoFA and stakeholders to institute robust measures to curb the menace of fertilizer smuggling in the region.
He urged MOFA to ensure equitable distribution of fertilizers and other materials as well as extend it to all farmers regardless of their gender, religion or ethnicity.

The Director General of Ghana Standards Authority (GSA), Professor Alex Dodoo has entreated farmer groups to take advantage of the planting for food and jobs to produce quality cereals for local and international consumption.
Prof. Dodoo made the appeal at the launching of the National Aflatoxin Sensitization and Management (NASAM) Project in Wa the Upper West Region.
The project is aimed at catalyzing and sustaining an inclusive agricultural transformation by improving food safety and security through increased knowledge about Aflatoxin in respect of its impacts and management.
The two-year project is targeting five thousand farmers and two thousand value chain actors directly whilst 600 thousand house-holds will be impacted indirectly.
Prof. Dodoo observed that the high levels of Aflatoxin present in grains in Ghana is compelling many big companies to import maize into the country and stressed the necessity for local producers to take the needed measures to reduce the content of Aflatoxin in their cereals to acceptable levels.
He stated that because of aflatoxin the amount legumes and cereals we export over the past 20 years have reduced by 90% thereby affecting the income of farmers.
He pointed out that when aflatoxins get into our body they can lead to liver necrosis, liver tumours and suppress our immune system as well as cause liver cancer and even children also experience stunted growth.

The Upper West Regional Coordinating Director, Gilbert Nuuri-teg thanked the GSA for organizing such an important sensitization exercise to drum home the importance of upholding standards in agricultural practices.
“ We are very grateful that you have taken steps to come over to the region here to interact with our people and educate them on some of the issues so that together we will work toward improving the quality of goods and services in the region”, he noted
The Director General GSA Prof. Dodoo also used the occasion to present 12 copies of the Ghana Building Code (GS1207:2018) to the RCC and the 11 MDCEs in Upper West Region and stressed the importance for all of us to abide the Code.
A Scientific Officer and Civil Engineer of GSA, Emmanuel who gave an over view of the Ghana Building Code said it is to ensure the uniformity of standards for the regulation and compliance of stakeholders in the building construction industry with respect to public safety, public health, and public welfare.

Newly appointed Upper West Regional Minister, Dr. Hafiz Bin-Salih has urged heads of departments (HODs) to rally behind him in order to effectively implement government’s planned programmes to move the Region out of poverty.
He said his appointment to steer affairs for the ruling government’s remaining two years was for a “special purpose” for which he has to work hard to justify the confidence reposed in him by President Akufo-Addo.
Addressing the heads of departments and agencies at the Regional Coordinating Council Wednesday, Dr. Bin Salih said, he was “extremely delighted and honored” for the job.
“I believe strongly that my appointment is for a special purpose for, which I have to work hard to justify the confidence reposed in me,” he added.
“I want to thank all of you and crave your indulgence to rally behind me to move the Upper West Region out of poverty. We cannot continue to be regarded as the poorest region in Ghana”.
He said his vision to lift the region out of poverty line was deeply rooted in the President’s agenda of developing Ghana’s economy beyond aid which would not be accomplished without optimum support from technocrats.
Article 36, Clause 5 of the Constitution requires the ruling government to come up with a coordinated programme for economic and social development policies within two years.
In that respect, President Akufo-Addo sketched out his vision to grow Ghana’s economy beyond aid after assuming office in 2017 on the theme: “Agenda for jobs: creating prosperity and equal opportunity for all 2018 – 2021.
The agenda is anchored on five pillars, namely: revitalizing the economy, transforming agriculture and industry, revamping economic and social infrastructure, strengthening social protection and inclusion, and reforming delivery system of public services institutions.
Dr. Bin Salih said to the HODs: “You are no doubt the key implementers of the progrmames and projects to attain this vision” and also urged them to make sure their planned programmes and projects were in sync with policy agenda of the government.

“We need to focus on the pillars outlined above by aligning our own plans and programmes with them in our sphere of work,” he stressed.
“I am therefore calling on you to do that as soon as possible so that we can collectively be moving in the same direction to achieve the set vision”.
He also implored them to show positive attitudes towards work as part of their employment contract agreement, saying: “Any deviation from that will certainly not lead us to the desire state we yearn for our dear nation”.
“Let’s eschew laziness, lateness to work, absenteeism, and corrupt practices in our work places; and with the abundance of resources in this country we can realise the dream of ‘Ghana beyond Aid’”.
Dr. Bin Salih was appointed by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo last month in accordance with the Constitution following the re-assignment of Alhaji Alhasan Sulemana.

The Upper West Regional Minister Hon. Dr. Hafiz Bin Salih has called on chiefs in the region to rally behind the His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo led government to bring the needed development to the area. He assured the people of an open door policy to be accessible to all as he is here to serve the people.
Dr. Bin Salih made the call at separate meetings with chiefs and other traditional leaders as well as religious leaders during his tour in the region to introduce himself as the new regional minister.
At the palace of the Paramount Chief of the Wala Traditional Area, Naa Seidu Fuseini Pelpuo VI. the Minister stated, “Developing this region is a collective responsibility. I can’t do it all alone; that is why I am here to seek your support. This government is very much aware of the critical role you our traditional leaders play in our development agenda”.
The Minister began his tour in the region on Wednesday, 3rd April, 2019 with a call on the Wa chief Imam where he interacted with the Muslim community to formally seek their guidance and support as he begins works as the Regional Minister.
He also called on the Heads of the Ahmadiya Mission, Tendabas, Wa Naa and the Bishop of Wa Diocese of the Catholic Church.
On day two of the tour, he paid courtesy calls on the Tumu Kuoro and the Bano Paramount Chief to seek for their blessings and support.
At Tumu, Dr Bin Salih assured the paramount chief and his elders of his commitment and vision in bringing development to the region and that he would not disappoint the people.
“In all my life I have been in the trenches of development in this region and that offers me the opportunity to know the needs of our people. Let me assured you that I will not disappoint you in my tenure as minister”.
The paramount chief of the Tumu Traditional area Kuoro Richard Babini Kanton VI welcomed the Minister to his Palace and indicated that he has known Dr. Bin Salih for some time now, and he has confidence in him that he would work hard in bringing massive development into the region. He prayed that the gods of Tumu would help him to succeed as the new Regional Minister and give him the strength to make Upper West a better place.
Kuoro Babini used the opportunity to remind the Minister of some developmental needs of the Sissala East Municipal. Among the pleads were the constructions of the Wa-Tumu-Bolga road to link the Upper West and Upper East region, fencing of the Tumu Senior High Technical School and building of a Technical institute in the Municipality to reduce youth Unemployment in the Municipality.