EBUBUNKO RESIDENTS NOT HAPPY WITH SAND-WINNING OPERATION

By: Kwamina Bamfo-Agyei

Residents of Ebubunko in the Cape Coast North Constituency have expressed displeasure on the activity of Dugun Enterprise that deals in surface mining in the community.
They noted that due to the heavy trucks that use the road it vibrates their buildings causing structural cracks on the buildings including the school building. The mining of the sand is close to the Kakum river which according to the residents it is illegal to mine closer to the river bank. They appealed to the contractor to create a different access to his site and to follow the guidelines of sand winning.

Kwamina Bamfo-Agyei of Central Press spoke to the Manager of the Enterprise Dugun, noted that he has been given permission by the Mineral Commission and Environmental Protection Agency to engage in surface mining. He pledged to donate bags of cement to repair the school and other buildings that have been affected by the company's operation. He said the sand wining that he does is purposefully for the construction of the Stadium, Kotokuraba market and the hostel. He indicated that after the operation they make sure to reclaim the land. Pumping the water into the river he says it is part of conserving water. 

Meanwhile due to the activities of the sand winning of the sand the impact of the vibrating equiptment has affected the buildings around the area including the basic school with acute structural cracks on them.

Farmers in the area have been affected and they have lost their livelihood since their farmlands have been destroyed and have not received any compensation.
The vicious cycle of poverty and hunger would continue to thrive among the residents in the community, should illegal sand winning remain unchecked. Already, farmers have myriads of mishaps to battle with. There are natural, socio-economic, cultural, religious and even political factors militating against farmers’ production fortunes.

Unfortunately, sand winning, in modern times, seems to have brought some imbalances to the agricultural production sector. Areas once noted for good vegetation and topography have turned into savannah grasslands, with their own attendant consequences on food production.
A recent expedition to parts of the Cape Coast North has given me an opportunity to fully appreciate some negative effects of sand winning.

According to Anthony Kwaku Amoah noted that what makes the activities of sand winners so disturbing is the way they destroy farm lands. The winners do not usually give farmers prior notification. Immediately they complete their contract agreements with the so-called land owners, they quickly move to the sites to initiate work. With the aid of bulldozers and excavators, these sand winners vandalise crops with impunity. The affected farmers are not compensated.
Lands are perpetually damaged and rendered unproductive. Aside destroying crops and lands, sand winning activities also pose some threats to human health. Moving trucks emit excessive noise and dust, causing pollution, and gullies created at these sites close to homes become breeding grounds for mosquitoes during rainy seasons.

STUDENTS URGED TO LIVE A DECENT LIFE

By, Kate Okyere

The Rector of Cape Coast Polytechnic, Professor Lawrence Atepor has urged fresh students of Cape Coast Polytechnic to live a decent life whiles taking their studies on campus.

Professor Atepor made this known during 21^st  matriculation ceremony of the institution that saw 1,181 students admitted. He said that they should not be confuse with the freedom given and tempt them to think that they are on top of the world and thereby resort to negative practices like drug- addiction, gambling, prostitution, drunkenness and other vices for there is nothing like absolute freedom in the polytechnic and that, there is a price that one pays for one’s actions and inactions.

He explained that, the polytechnic has no uniforms so they have the freedom to choose what to wear to lectures, church service and other functions, decide on the hairstyle to sport but it is sad to know that many students have abused their freedom.

He further explained that, some student put on any dress to lectures and other functions, however they should remember that what you wear says a lot about you and that they are what they wear so they should let their manner of dressing reflect on their lives.

He again said that, the polytechnic community is a democratic society where responsible freedom of speech is encouraged, so whenever they need explanation for one action or the other, they are free to use the laid-down channels of communication at all times and also respect others’ point of view no matter how unpleasant they may appear to be.

Professor Atepor  went on that, they should not resort to demonstrations or ‘alutas’ when they have several peaceful means to resolve misunderstandings and that for no matter how they will feel about an issue, they must not and should not take the law into their hands.

He again noted  that; they should avoid the temptation to write anonymous letters because they unduly discredit the hard-won reputation of fellow humans, apart from giving false alarm and bringing the image of the polytechnic into disrepute.

He appealed to them to avoid unnecessary noise and disturbances and also if a programme requires the use of loud speakers, they should considerate the right of others and adjust the volume so as not to cause them any discomfort. 

He said again that, if the student will bear him out, the school has a beautiful serene green environment hence it was the desire of the polytechnic authorities to maintain or better still improve upon the beauty of the environment and they the students are their partners.

MATRICULANTS ADVISED TO TAKE THEIR STUDIES SERIOUSLY

By, Kate Okyere

Professor Lawrence Atepor, Rector Cape Coast polytechnic has advised the fresh students of the institution to take their studies seriously in order to achieve their objective during the 21^st matriculation ceremony.

Prof. Atepor  analyzed that, out of 1,742 applications received, the polytechnic admitted a total number of 1,181 students and of the total number admitted, 643 representing 54.5% are males and 536 representing 45.5% are females respectively.

He went on that, there were many who wished to be admitted into Cape Coast Polytechnic but could not gain admission for obvious reasons and that, they should count themselves privileged to be among the chosen ones to find themselves in a Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET).   

He went on that, being admitted into the Polytechnic is one hurdle which has been cleared safely but there are many which they will meet along and cited examples as financial difficulties, lack of decent accommodation and the need to make materials and personal sacrifices daily.

He added that, in such situations will sometimes leave them stressed but however, if they consider the eventual reward they would gain after their study period, they will realized that nothing can compare with the glory and honour that would be bestowed on their coming congregation day.

Prof. Atepor advised them to never allow themselves to be overcome by any challenge rather, they should consider them as a purification process through which they will be refined for the life ahead of them and also remember that their predecessors went through even worse situations yet, their perseverance paid off and they received the ultimate prize.    

He  encouraged them that, in a relative sense, they have come to school at a better time, that is,  they get access to resources that their predecessors only dreamt about and gave an instance as the internet of which clicking a button, they can get access to any information to do their assignment and project work.

Pof. Atepor added that, another important thing but scarce, and for that matter expensive resource is time and there is a saying that, “time and tide wait for no man” so therefore, they must be time conscious, they should value their time and they should not be carried away by the fun –filled activities on campus in order to neglect their studies to the last minute for it is said that “those who seek God at the eleventh hour die at the 10.30 hour”.

He therefore urged the matriculants to note that, the polytechnic environment emits both positive and negative forces; that is, it can provide the finest opportunity for them to develop their talents

and latent skills if they decide to be law abiding and focused.

CENTRAL REGION TO BE GIVEN FACELIFT

By,Kate Okyere

The Central Regional Chairman for the National Democratic Congress NDC, Alottey Jacobs has promised to focus on the development of Central Region.

He noted that Central Region which was performing well in tourism is no more taking the lead in tourism, hence he has challenge Central Development Commission to refocus on his mandate to improve tourism sites so as to attract more tourists to the region.

According to Alottey, Central Region is far behind development, and he as the current Regional Chairman will make sure that the region climb higher than the other regions.

Mr. Alottey explained he believes that, political polarization has in a way brought about under development of central region where they always argue about unnecessary issues and always in the side of people against governments in other to gain power and latter fail the people.

He added that, looking at the Cape Coast market where people always fight against its stature and same complains about the stadium is driven away development and for that reason, he is going to work hard to resolve those issues.  

Mr. Alottey added, looking at the industries Dr. Ndoom has established and still establishing, it is a challenge for every person in central region to wake up and come together to build central Region to be as equal as the other regions.

He again said he was the backbone of his incumbent during his time, he helped him to be in office but when he got there, he did not follow the principles and for that matter did not work according to the objectives; that is focusing on the development of central region and once they are in power, he as a good member of the party, has to protect the interest of the party before something bad happens.

He went on that, even though the formal President; John Jerry Rawlings says the delegates shouldn’t vote for corrupt executives, he as the chairman does not know and have not seen anyone being corrupt in the party and moreover Rawlings’ comments should be thrown into the dustbin.