Regional News of Monday, 17 February 2014

Source: GNA

MP donates ambulance to Yagaba/Kubori

Mr. Ussif Mustapha, Member of Parliament for Yagaba/Kubori, on Saturday said he remains resolute to fulfill all the promises and pledges he made to his constituents during the 2012 election campaign.

He said his promise to stop pregnant women from being carried on motor bikes and other discomforting means to hospitals during labour still holds.

"I also promised to contribute to enhancing education at all levels within the Mamprugu/Moaduri District, particularly Yagaba/Kubori Constituency."

"Today, we are here to witness yet another fulfillment of one of my solemn works and also to say that serving you has been a privilege."

Mr. Mustapha made the remarks at a durbar to present a Mercedes Benz Ambulance valued at Ghc31, 000 to the Mamprugu/Moaduri District Health Directorate at Yagaba, on Saturday.

Present at the presentation were Heads of Departments, Chiefs, Religious Leaders, Chairman and Members of all the Political Parties, Health workers and the people of the area.

He said the Ambulance would serve the people of the Yagaba/Kubori Constituency and surrounding villages to reduce the maternal deaths rate in the area.

Mr. Mustapha said efforts are being made to get more motor bikes from some institutions and donor partners for the district health directorate, and that, the Integrated Agricultural and Development (IAD), working under the Weinco Fertilizer Company, has promised to donate two more motor bikes.

He said the establishment of a scholarship scheme two months ago and the donation of 15,000 Exercise Books to pupils, as well as the giving out of Ghc34,000 to 170 tertiary students in the various Universities from the constituency were all some of the pledges he made.

"I am also organizing a free vacation classes for students of Walewale SHS from the constituency” Mr. Mustapha said education is the key to societal development. He re-affirmed his confident in the fact that the future of the constituency was bright: "We need everybody on board to realize this dream."

The MP said: "These successes were with the support and prayers of the wonderful people of the Yagaba/Kubori Constituency, the District Assembly and the revered Chiefs of the land."

He urged residents of the constituency to be good ambassadors by showing respect to one another, fostering peace and demonstrating their zeal for development.

"Let us note that development is not solely dependent on Government, the MP or the DCE's, but the collective duty of all citizens with commitment."

"Let us desist from partisan approach to issues of national interest and assist the President to make Ghana a better place for us all”.

"I am also appealing to President Mahama to accept constructive criticisms from Ghanaians in order to strengthen his policies to serve the needs of Ghanaians."

Mr Mahama Bukari Mumuni, District Co-ordinating Director, on behalf of the District Chief Executive, Mr Maxwell Awuntor said the district is facing a lot of challenges including education, health and the lack of social amenities.

He noted that the presentation would solve some of the many problems in the health sector, especially maternal deaths and other health issues.

Mr Mumuni said the Yagaba SHS is now enrolling students and that the assembly has supported the school with a Generator and two boreholes, and was working on another two boreholes. He said government is currently rehabilitating the road network that links Yagaba to other parts of the region.

He thanked the MP for the gesture and appealed to the people to co-operate with the district assembly to ensure that development comes to the area.

Mr Titus Mwini, District Director of Health Service said the health of individuals rests on their shoulders and that it was the responsibility of all citizens to maintain the health facilities better.

He noted that Ambulance services are expensive, and that, the donation will reduce the plight of the people, adding that, "A committee will be constituted to manage the Ambulance."

Mr Mwini thanked the MP for providing them with an Ambulance and appealed to government to provide them with an office accommodation.

Mr Ben Bukari Salifu, former Northern Regional Minister, under former President John Agyekum Kuffuor administration and Chairman of the occasion appealed to the driver of the Ambulance to be a slave of the people, adding that, "Ambulance drivers are called at any time of the day or night."

Madam Fati Alhassan, a native of Kubori said it was painful to see women being carried on motor bikes to hospitals during labour, and that, the Ambulance is a source of relief for women in the district.

She thanked the MP for the gesture and prayed for God's blessing on him and against all evil.