Bolgatanga (Upper East) 8 April '99

Star of Hope International (SHI), a Swedish non-governmental organisation, is to assist the Bolgatanga District Assembly with a grant of one billion cedis annually under a five-year agreement to improve upon education and agriculture in the district. Dr Albert Tengah, Bolgatanga District Chief Executive, who made this known at the first ordinary sitting of the assembly this year, said part of the grant would be used to provide furniture for 10 basic schools. Dr Tenga said SHI is supporting 30 day-care centres in Bolgatanga area with teaching aids. It is also rehabilitating one small-scale dam at Gaarei, and will complete two new dams at Sekoti and Buusi and finance the construction of a new dam at Sheriou. The DCE noted that the assembly would for the next five years pay priority attention to the development of education and the promotion of economic activities. "The assembly would therefore spend a major part of its share of the common fund as well as local revenue on the cladding of school pavilions, rehabilitation of old school structures and building new ones, providing schools with furniture, as well as teaching and learning materials," he indicated. Alhaji Amidu Sulemani, Upper East Regional Minister, said it has become clear that some district assemblies are involved in improper tendering procedures for the award of contracts. He pointed out that such practices are not only illegal but also unacceptable and that the government would deal decisively with culprits. The Regional Minister indicated that the Regional Co- ordinating Council (RCC) would closely monitor the activities of district assemblies in the region to ensure that they abide by the rules. "From now onwards, all contracts should be awarded in compliance with laid-down procedures," he emphasised. He urged assembly members to co-operate with the area councils and unit committees to initiate self-help community projects that would encourage government and NGO's to come to their aid. Mr Simon Atebiya, presiding member of the assembly, said the assembly was constructing six unit committee offices at Sumprungu, Zuarungu, Zolira, Winkogo, Sheaga-Tindongo, and Sekoti at a total cost of 276 million cedis.