BRONG AHAFO RECORDS 1,257 DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CASES

From Michael Sarpong Mfum, Sunyani

Statistics at available at the Brong Ahafo Regional Branch of the Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit (DOVVSU) indicate that the domestic violence increased in the region from 1040 in 2011 to 1,257 in 2012.

ASP Setina Aboagye the Deputy Regional Co-coordinator of DOVVSU in an interview  said the number of domestic violence victims could more but most of victims refuse to report to the police because of reasons best known to them.  ASP Aboagye therefore called on the residents in the region to report all violence cases to the police.

ASP Aboagye noted that the implementation of the domestic Violence Act in the Region is facing many challenges.

She said a legislative instrument, which would have made implementation much easier, does not back the law.

“Most police officers are not conversant with the provisions of the act and therefore implementing it has not been easy. Therefore, training of DOVVSU officers would go a long way to help the implementation of the domestic violence act,” ASP Aboagye appealed.

She also said the charging of fees before the endorsement of forms of victims by medical doctors discourages most of the victims to go to the hospitals because of financial constraints.

ASP Aboagye noted that her outfit is collaborating with ActionAid Ghana and Ministry of Gender, Child and Social Protection to train volunteers to sensitize the public and further help the implementation of the Act.

TANOBOASE SACRED GROVE A TOURISM POTENIAL IN BRONG AHAFO REGION

From Michael Sarpong Mfum, Tanoboase

The Tano Sacred Grove in the Techiman Municipality of the Brong Ahafo Region is one of the leading tourists in the region but unknown to most tourists.

The Grove, a Community Based-Ecotourism Project (CBEP) was started in 1996. With the help of the Ghana Association for the Conservation of Nature (GACON), the Tanoboase community began the development of the Groove as an eco-tourism site. In the year 2001, Tanoboase was selected as one of the 14 eco-tourism sites nation-wide to be developed under the CBEP.

The fund for the project was provided by United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The implementation of the CBEP has been a collaborative effort between the Nature Conservation Research Centre, Ghana Tourist Board, US Peace Corps Ghana, SNV Netherlands Development Organization and the project communities.

The project is to develop community-owned and operated eco-tourism activities at environmental sensitive rural destination, which will serve as income generating opportunities by conserving local ecosystem rather than through unsustainable exploitation.

                                               Some tourists at Tanoboase Sacred Grove

In Tanoboase, a tourism management team comprised of local community members is directing the project at the ground level.

The grove is nestled within a semi-deciduous forest, and encloses a cluster striking sandstone rock formation.

As one hikes along the natural trails, one will observe a variety of plants, trees, birds and butterfly species. A lucky visitor may also spot antelopes, baboons and monkeys, once rare but whose population is increasing by the day. There is a bat colony as well. A climb up to the sandstone rocks leads to a panoramic overlook of what was used during the Ashanti-Bono wars. The grove tour could last approximately one to four hours.

One interesting attraction at the grove is the stone that has carved itself into a shape of a tortoise. Tanoboase sacred grove is the site of one the earliest Bono settlements. Taakora, the highest of the Akan gods on earth, dwells at the source of the Tano River. When the inhabitants of Tanoboase discovered the god, the grove became a place of sanctity and worship and remained so ever since.

The Tano shrine, residing in a brass pan, is currently kept Tanoboase town but it is carried to the grove annually by a fetish for consultation.  The grove is also the site of the annual Apo Festival, which is the time of spiritual cleansing, held April and May every year. Discover the history, tradition and natural beauty of the first settling place of the Bono people.

PRIVATE UNIVERSITIES NEED HELP-PROF. ALLOTEY

From: Michael Sarpong Mfum,Fiapre

A renowned scientist Prof. Francis Kofi Ampanyin Allotey is calling on government to support Private Universities in the country so they can help in producing the human resource base of the country.

Prof. Allotey made the appeal at 16^th Matriculation and 8^th congregation of the Catholic University College of Ghana at Fiapre where 679 students graduated with various Degrees and Diplomas with 414 also matriculating.

Professor F.K.A. Allotey

Prof. F.K.A. Allotey who was a guest speaker at the ceremony called for financial support for private Universities in the country.

“ In view of the financial difficulties that private Universities in their infant stages face in this country , it will even be more helpful if the National Accreditation Board and the National Council for Tertiary Education can impress upon government and its agencies as such the GETFund and the Scholarship Secretariat to offer scholarships and bursaries to academic in private Universities like the Catholic University College of Ghana to pursue PhD programmes locally and abroad,” Prof. Allotey noted.

Vice Chancellor of Catholic University College of Ghana, Professor James Hawkins Ephraim said the University would continue to contribute her quota to the development of the country have been in existence for ten years.

“In this 10^th Anniversary, our goal is to attract qualified and seasoned staff that will assist in the consolidation of the academic and administrative processes at the University. The achievement of this objective shall mark the beginning of our quest to become an autonomous institution,” Prof. Ephraim disclosed.

He also noted that the University of Ghana is considering two programmes of the University BSc. Banking, Finance, MA Religious Studies, and Pastoral Ministry for affiliation.

Prof. Ephraim called on the new graduates to show to the world what they have learnt from the University. He also called on the matriculants to be studious, discipline and dress decently.

The Most Rev. Philip Naameh, Catholic Archbishop of Tamale and the Chairman of the Governing Council of the University,  launched the 10th anniversary of the University which would celebrated under the theme: “Ten Years of Holistic Catholic Education -The Experience of the Catholic University College of Ghana.”

He called on all the past students of the institution to come on board to make the celebration a success.

Archbishop Naameh expressed appreciation to the CUCG affiliate and mentor institutions, the University of Ghana and the University of Cape Coast, for mentoring the university to its current status.