The PURC has sternly warned the general public in the Upper East Region against illegal electricity connections. They have emphasized that power theft is a punishable crime under the law.

According to Pious Abdullai Ikililu, the Regional Complaints Officer for the Upper East region, those who engage in such practices will be subject to legal consequences. He also warned that the PURC will not intervene for those arrested by NEDCo for illegal connections.

“During our public education activities, we educate people to desist from power theft—connecting illegally to the service, or having power that NEDCo is not aware of, doing meter bypasses—anything that enables you to use electricity without actually paying for it is a crime,” he said.

According to Mr. Abdullai’s remarks on Bolga FM, power theft has detrimental effects on Ghana’s energy supply and the electricity sector as a whole. This includes system losses and loss of revenue. As a solution, he urged individuals to use their electrical devices responsibly and pay for their usage accordingly.

“If you know that you cannot pay for the electricity and you’re using an air-conditioner, why go and buy one? Or if you have an electrical gadget and you know very well that when you use it, you won’t be able to pay the bill—why have it?” he questioned.

The Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) has recently disclosed that starting May 3, 2025, there will be an increase in water and electricity tariffs. This change involves a 14.75 percent hike in electricity rates and a 4.02 percent rise in water prices under the updated tariff system.

Similarly, while appearing on the show, Mohammed Adams Suleimana, the Public Relations Officer of PURC in the Upper East Region, defended the reasoning behind the recent price hike. He clarified that the adjustment is not a novel occurrence but a routine part of the commission’s quarterly assessment process.

Terabuuriyele, a non-profit and non-partisan organization dedicated to preserving and promoting Frafra culture, has provided vital medical equipment to the Upper East Regional Hospital to support healthcare services in the area.

The contribution, given on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, comprises 22 blood pressure monitors and 22 infrared thermometer guns intended to enhance the hospital’s ability to treat patients effectively.

During the presentation, Mr. Simon Ayariga, National Chairman of Terabuuriyele, stated that the association’s donation is part of their humanitarian initiatives to support national development, specifically in healthcare.

“This donation reflects our commitment to supporting our communities through tangible action. We believe quality healthcare is a basic right, and we are proud to contribute to its delivery.”

On behalf of the hospital, Madam Justina Ayoribila, Deputy Director of Nursing Services, expressed her sincere appreciation for receiving the items. She also mentioned how the equipment will significantly improve their service delivery.

“We are grateful for this timely support. These items will go a long way in helping us provide better and more efficient care to our patients.”

Accompanying Chief Bombiga Asana Agoo at the ceremony were the Chief of Zaare and Acting Bolgatanga Municipal Chairman of Terabuuriyele. During the event, he expressed worry about the slow deterioration of Gurune culture and shared that the association intends to create a cultural museum.

Our cultural identity means everything to us. Our focus is on establishing a museum that will preserve and exhibit the thriving heritage of the Gurune people for generations to come.

The contribution serves as a reminder of Terabuuriyele’s dedication to safeguarding cultural heritage and fostering community progress.

The FDA’s Upper East Regional Office hosted an annual training workshop for sachet water producers in the region. The objective was to inform them about GMPs, promoting the production of superior and secure sachet water for customers.

According to Abel Ndego, Acting Regional Head of the FDA in the Upper East Region, proper adherence to GMPs is vital for ensuring the quality and safety of sachet water. As water is essential for life, it remains a top priority for the FDA to uphold these standards and hold producers accountable in their facilities.

He said, “In this case, for sachet water, we are looking basically at quality and safety. So we have gathered here today to be able to share ideas on best practices, and what is recommended by the provisions of guidelines and international standards. This would help equip our sachet water producers to be able to ensure that the water they produce is of the highest standard and quality.”

According to him, this will ensure that the water sold to consumers adheres to quality and safety regulations. The training is centered on instructing and reinforcing proper methods to produce sachet water in the area.

During the training, we discussed several important topics, such as effective hygiene and sanitation protocols for production sites, appropriate methods for treating and purifying water, proper packaging and labeling standards, regulatory compliance, and the monitoring processes of the FDA.

Thomas Anthony Baba Piameng, Chairman of the Sachet Water Producers Association in the Upper East Region, lauded the FDA for their training and stressed the importance of adhering to safety protocols among members.

Members of the Pusu-Namongo community in the Talensi District, located in the Upper East Region, have requested that the government immediately remove silt from local dams. This is necessary to sustain farming throughout the year, as water sources in the region have been affected by increasingly severe impacts of climate change.

Addressing the Deputy Minister for Food and Agriculture, John Setor Dumelo, during his visit, local farmers stressed the pressing requirement of government assistance. Tii Godfred, Secretary of the Pusu-Namongo Water Users Association, highlighted that numerous farmers have been compelled to leave their dry-season farms due to inadequate water levels in the remaining dams. This has significantly impacted crops like tomatoes and onions, which were in the crucial fruition stage.

“In this jurisdiction, climate has changed drastically. The weather has shifted, and the rainfall pattern has shifted. The challenge that we face as farmers is that many of the dams are silted. Just recently, some farmers couldn’t finish harvesting all their produce and had to abandon their farms just because the level of water had reduced in such a way that in certain places if they open the water, it couldn’t reach there. So, in that case, they had to stop, and because of that, some people have run at a loss,” he recalled.

In representing the farmers, Mr. Tii appealed for assistance acquiring necessary farm supplies and access to tractor services to improve their agricultural endeavors. Similarly, Musah Sadat, a fellow farmer, reiterated the need for prompt action from the government to construct the much-awaited Pwalugu Multipurpose Dam and revive the abandoned Pwalugu Tomato Factory. Such efforts would significantly enhance the region’s farming productivity and processing capabilities.

Deputy Minister John Setor Dumelo reassured the farmers that the government is dedicated to revamping current dams and building new ones to support year-round farming.

“In the NDC manifesto, we said we were going to build Farmer Service Centers, and it is something that we are going to do. I have all the power to probably say that Talensi will get their own. The Farmer Service Centers will have tractors, seeds, combine harvesters, and everything needed to be a good farmer. With respect to irrigation, we’ve launched a program called ‘Irrigation for Wealth’ and we are irrigating over 10,000 hectares of land but also, we are making sure that we rehabilitate existing irrigation schemes and this community will be no exception,” he added.

In addition, he announced joint efforts between the government and private companies to set up processing facilities across the country to tackle the ongoing problem of post-harvest losses.

As part of his ongoing tour of the Upper East Region, the minister visited to evaluate the issues affecting farmers and determine where urgent action is required. Local Member of Parliament for Talensi, Daniel Dung Mahama, also highlighted a pressing concern: the need to desilt around 16 decades-old dams to secure enough water for dry season cultivation. He emphasized his commitment to seeing these dams rehabilitated.

The MP expressed hope that implementing the ‘Nkoko Nkitinkiti” policy, which aims to assist 55,000 households nationwide, would generate employment opportunities for the residents of Talensi.

According to Awal Mohammed, the Research Manager and Team Lead for the Governance & Social Accountability Practice at CDD-Ghana, it is crucial to establish robust communal governance systems and foster collaboration among local communities. This will help to safeguard Ghana from the spread of violent extremism and conflict from neighboring West African countries.

In an interview with A1 Radio, Mr. Mohammed expressed concern over the potential for social turmoil and political instability in the northern districts of Ghana. These issues are not limited to a single area but are prevalent throughout the surrounding regions, particularly those bordering conflict zones in the Sahel region. The towns located along Ghana’s northern corridor face added vulnerability due to their proximity to countries such as Burkina Faso, where extremist activities have been reported.

Mr. Mohammed inquired about the role of northern Ghana, which shares borders with nations plagued by extremism; “Our international affairs are broader, and the regions in northern Ghana share borders with countries facing extremism. So, the question is: how do we make our communities a buffer against these threats?”

His speech aligned with an initiative launched by CDD-Ghana to enhance social cohesion and reinforce the social contract by empowering women and youth in three northern regions of Ghana.

The timely intervention, known as “Enhancing Social Cohesion and Social Contract, Through the Empowerment of Women and Youth in Three Northern Regions of Ghana,” is aimed at countering the increasing dangers of localized and spillover conflicts, as well as the heightened susceptibility to violent extremism in northern Ghana. It has been made possible by funding from the UN Peacebuilding Fund through the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).

Mr. Mohammed explains that the CDD-Ghana initiative aims to empower women and youth in Ghana’s Northern, Upper East, and Upper West regions. This project is dedicated to promoting social cohesion and strengthening the social contract.

“Our approach is to empower women and youth by improving their access to voice and participation in local governance processes. When communities are engaged, heard, and included in governance, they become more resilient to internal and external threats,” he further explained.

Joseph Akaseke Abaa, the recently appointed District Chief Executive for Bongo, has expressed his determination to advocate for establishing a College of Education in the region.

He said this will result in additional teachers being trained for our schools and generate fresh employment opportunities within our community.

According to the DCE, establishing a tertiary institution in the area is crucial for enhancing the district’s education standard.

During his address following his confirmation by the assembly on April 15, 2025, Joseph Abaa spoke out against the discrepancies that hinder people’s ability to obtain quality education and healthcare in the district.

He brought up various difficulties plaguing the district, including an infrastructure deficit in the health and education sectors, issues with sanitation and social problems, and a subpar standard of living.

“Our district faces urgent challenges that we must confront now. Too many children learn in overcrowded classrooms or under leaking roofs. Too many of the sick are turned away because our clinics lack essential supplies. A single failed rainy season can wipe out a village’s harvest. Too many of our youth cannot find jobs,” he said.

He mentioned that the current administration of Mahama has implemented measures to combat these difficulties and that the district, under his guidance, intends to utilize these policies to rejuvenate itself fully.

The DCE also plans to utilize government initiatives, such as the rehabilitation of the Vea Dam, to enhance agriculture in the region and ultimately enhance the quality of life for the inhabitants.

“We will leverage government programs to boost agriculture, build value chains, push for the rehabilitation of the Vea Dam, and make farming viable and rewarding again.” he further stated.

He emphasized the need for support in district development, stressing his commitment to running a transparent and inclusive administration.

“My door will always be open to everyone, regardless of party or background. If you have a concern or suggestion, I want to hear it. I believe that only by all of us working together can we achieve the progress we desire.” He emphasised