The Upper East Regional Police Command has recovered several weapons, ammunition and motorbikes following a follow-up operation targeting a notorious robbery gang allegedly linked to a series of attacks across parts of the region

The gang is suspected of carrying out robbery attacks targeting motorbike riders and mobile money vendors in communities including Benaba, Binduri, Pusiga, Garu, Zebilla and surrounding areas

According to the Police, the operation took a dramatic turn when a team of officers, accompanied by some of the arrested suspects, proceeded to Tilly Forest, where the suspects had indicated that their firearms had been concealed

The Police team reportedly came under gunfire at the location, resulting in three suspects sustaining gunshot wounds

The three have been identified as Amadu Apiiga, Philip Vokbilla and Bilal Adabode, alias Sulley, who reportedly led the Police to the location

They were rushed to a health facility for medical attention but were pronounced dead on arrival

The Police said other individuals believed to have sustained gunshot wounds during the incident fled the scene

Two Police officers were also injured during the operation and are currently receiving medical treatment

Weapons and other items recovered

The Police said the operation led to the recovery of the following : Two locally manufactured single-barrel guns,
Two pistols, including a BRUNI 92 pistol,
Eleven rounds of 9mm ammunition,
Eighteen BB live cartridges, Three sharp cutlasses, Four unregistered Yamaha Aerox scooters, A pair of black boots, One motorbike number plate, Two mobile phones

The suspects have also allegedly been linked to the murder of a Police officer during a robbery attack at Zebilla on February 8, 2026

The Police said the six other members of the gang who were earlier arrested remain in custody and are assisting with investigations

Meanwhile, efforts are ongoing to identify and arrest other suspected members of the gang and establish the source of the weapons recovered

The Police have appealed to members of the public to immediately report anyone found with suspected gunshot wounds to the nearest Police station to assist investigators in tracking down other persons who may have fled the scene

The post GUNFIRE ERUPTS IN TILLY FOREST : THREE SUSPECTED ROBBERS KILLED AS POLICE RECOVER GUNS, PISTOLS AND STOLEN MOTORBIKES appeared first on GBC URA RADIO.

The Upper East Regional Hospital in Bolgatanga has successfully completed a major surgical procedure on a two-year-old boy diagnosed with oesophageal atresia with distal tracheo-oesophageal fistula, a rare and complex congenital condition affecting the child’s food passage and airway

The approximately five-hour operation was performed by a team of specialist paediatric surgeons, anaesthetists, nurses and other medical professionals.
Hospital management says the child is currently stable and under close monitoring by the surgical team following the procedure

A complex condition from birth

Oesophageal atresia occurs when the oesophagus, the tube that carries food from the mouth to the stomach, fails to develop as a continuous passage.
In the child’s case, the oesophagus was blocked, while the lower section was abnormally connected to the trachea through a condition known as a tracheo-oesophageal fistula

The condition made it difficult for the child to safely swallow saliva or take food normally and exposed him to serious respiratory complications.
The child was first seen by the hospital’s medical team at about three days old, presenting with excessive saliva, feeding difficulties and breathing problems.
The medical team initially treated his respiratory condition and associated chest infection before undertaking a staged surgical approach

Life-saving treatment began shortly after birth

During the initial surgery, the upper portion of the oesophagus was brought out through the neck in a procedure known as an oesophagostomy, allowing saliva to drain safely

A feeding tube was also inserted directly into the stomach through the abdominal wall, a procedure known as gastrostomy, to provide the child with nutrition without requiring him to swallow normally

The abnormal connection between the oesophagus and airway was also closed to prevent stomach contents from entering the lungs

Following the procedure, the child became stable and was discharged with regular medical follow-up

Second major operation reconstructs food passage

After months of growth and continued medical care, the child reached the appropriate stage for definitive reconstruction

In the latest operation, the surgical team created a new pathway for food from the mouth to the stomach because the original lower oesophagus was not available for reconstruction

A segment of intestine was used to create the new food passage — a procedure known as intestinal interposition, or colon interposition when the colon is used

The reconstructed passage was brought through the chest and connected to the oesophagus in the neck, with the ultimate goal of allowing the child to eventually eat normally by mouth

Specialists collaborate on complex procedure

The surgery was led by Dr. Lawrence Kankpeyeng, Paediatric Surgeon, with support from Dr. Hope Glover-Addy, Consultant Paediatric Surgeon at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, and Dr. Ernest Kunfaa, Paediatric Surgeon at the University of Technology and Applied Sciences (UTAS)

Operating room nurses, anaesthetists and other supporting staff also contributed to the procedure.
Management of the Upper East Regional Hospital says the successful intervention demonstrates the importance of multidisciplinary teamwork and professional collaboration in providing specialised paediatric surgical care

Hospital cautions that recovery remains critical

Although the surgery has been successfully completed, hospital management says the immediate post-operative period remains critical.
The child will continue to be closely monitored to assess the functioning of the reconstructed food passage and his overall recovery

Once the medical team is satisfied with his progress, steps will be taken towards transitioning him from tube feeding to normal oral feeding

Management has commended all the surgical, paediatric, anaesthetic, nursing and supporting teams involved in the child’s care from the neonatal period through to the latest procedure

The hospital also acknowledged the contribution of specialists from Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital and UTAS, as well as the cooperation of the child’s family

The Upper East Regional Hospital says it remains committed to providing quality, specialised and compassionate healthcare, particularly for children requiring complex surgical interventions

The post Upper East Regional Hospital Performs Groundbreaking Surgery on Two-Year-Old Child with Oesophageal Atresia and Distal Tracheoesophageal Fistula appeared first on GBC URA RADIO.

Media practitioners in Northern Ghana have been urged to intensify public education and investigative reporting on the growing threat posed by Striga, a parasitic weed capable of severely reducing cereal crop yields and worsening the challenges confronting farmers

The call was made by Titus O. Alzumah, Vice chairman of FONAR and Chairperson of a sensitization forum for media practitioners on Striga Control in Northern Ghana, held in Zuarungu in the Upper East Region

Opening the Aday’s forum, on Thursday September 17, 2026 in Boogatanga East District of the Upper East Region, Mr. Alzumah described Striga, commonly known as witchweed or the “violet vampire,” as an often-overlooked agricultural problem that has been affecting cereal farmers across Northern Ghana for years

He said although the weed may appear small and relatively harmless, its impact on farmers and food production could be significant, making it an issue that deserves greater public and media attention

The forum brought together the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA), the Forum for Natural Regeneration (FONAR), the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Upper East Region Chapter, farmer representatives, journalists and editors

According to the Chairperson, the three key partners each have an important role to play in addressing the problem

He noted that MoFA brings scientific knowledge and agricultural extension experience, while FONAR contributes expertise in land restoration, soil health and Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration (FMNR)

The GJA, he added, provides the platform through which technical knowledge can be transformed into public awareness and action

The sensitization programme featured technical presentations on the biology and agronomy of Striga, land restoration and natural regeneration approaches, as well as a panel discussion involving representatives of the partner institutions and a farmer

Participants also visited a nearby farm to gain first-hand knowledge of the effects of Striga and the realities faced by affected farmers

Mr. Alzumah stressed that there is no single, dramatic solution to the Striga problem, emphasizing the need for healthier soils, sound agronomic practices, disciplined farm management and sustained interventions over several farming seasons

At the close of the forum, he challenged journalists and editors not to allow the information and media materials provided during the programme to remain unused

He urged the media to use the knowledge, fact sheets and contacts obtained to bring greater attention to the experiences of farmers battling Striga.
“Somewhere in your listeners or readership area, a farmer is fighting this same battle right now, quietly,” he said, urging journalists to help make the issue visible through responsible and accurate reporting

Mr. Alzumah further assured journalists that FONAR and MoFA would remain available as sources of credible information for future stories concerning Striga, land restoration, soil health and food security in Northern Ghana

He formally declared the sensitization forum closed, expressing appreciation to the participating institutions, farmer representatives and media practitioners for their active engagement

Source – gbcuraonline.com

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The Upper East Regional Director of Agriculture, Alhaji Zakaria Fuseini, has called on media practitioners to intensify public education on the dangers of Striga, a parasitic weed that continues to threaten agricultural productivity across Northern Ghana

According to him, Striga remains a recurring challenge confronting farmers in the region, with reports from agricultural extension officers consistently highlighting its impact on farms during every planting season

Speaking at a sensitisation forum for media practitioners on Striga control in Northern Ghana, held at the Blue Sky Hotel in Zuarungu on Thursday, September 17, 2026, Thomas Akolgo Akum a representative of the regional director in reading the director’s address said, farmers understand the problem very well because they experience its effects every farming season, but often lack adequate information on its causes, prevention and control

He said the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, through its Directorate of Agricultural Extension Services, has over the years supported farmers with improved seed varieties, agronomic advice and extension services to help manage Striga

However, he acknowledged that government interventions often reach farmers gradually, making the media an important partner in expanding public awareness

“What they do not always have is a clear public understanding of why it happens, what can be done about it, and where to turn for help,” he said

The Regional Director urged journalists to go beyond simply reporting technical presentations and ask critical questions about the practical challenges farmers face, including the affordability of certified seeds and why some Striga control interventions require several farming seasons before producing visible results

He also stressed the need for stronger collaboration between government’s agronomic interventions and land restoration initiatives being championed by the Forum for Natural Regeneration (FONAR)

Alhaji Fuseini explained that healthy soils and sound crop management are complementary approaches to controlling Striga, rather than competing solutions

He further encouraged journalists to engage directly with farmers and assess whether recommended interventions are working in real farming communities

The forum was organised by FONAR in collaboration with the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Upper East Region, to equip media practitioners with technical knowledge to improve public reporting and education on Striga management.
The Director expressed appreciation to FONAR, the GJA and participating journalists, describing the media as a critical partner in helping farmers address the persistent threat posed by the parasitic weed

Source – gbcuraonline.com

The post STRIGA IS SILENTLY DESTROYING OUR FARMS — DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE URGES MEDIA TO HELP FARMERS FIGHT CROP PARASITE appeared first on GBC URA RADIO.

The Upper East Regional Chairman of the Ghana Journalists Association,GJA, Albert Sore, is urging journalists to give greater attention to Striga, a parasitic weed that threatens crop production and the Iivelihoods of farming communities

He says sustained media education and public awareness will be important in helping farming communities recognise Striga and adopt appropriate measures to reduce its impact on crop production. He said although the impact of Striga may not always make headlines, the problem can develop gradually and have
serious consequences for farmers, food production and household incomes

The Regional Chairman made the remarks during a media sensitisation workshop on Striga organised in the Upper East Region by the Forum for Natural Regeneration, FONAR, in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture and Ghana journalist association, GJA

He said the workshop provides journalists with an opportunity to understand the biology, spread and impact of Striga and to learn about practical measures for managing the weed

The GJA Regional Chairman noted that journalists often focus on issues such as food shortages, poor harvests and climate change, but may overlook agricultural challenges such as Striga which can contribute to declining farm productivity

He therefore encouraged journalists who report on agriculture to use their various platforms to educate farmers and the public about Striga and appropriate management practices

He said journalists who host agriculture-related programmes on radio and other platforms should continue the conversation beyond the workshop, while those without regular airtime should produce stories to create public awareness

He also called for stronger collaboration between the GJA, agricultural authorities, FONAR and other stakeholders to address challenges affecting agriculture and rural livelihoods

Source – gbcuraonline.com

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Farmers in the Upper East Region are being advised to intensify efforts to control Striga, commonly known as witchweed, a parasitic weed that attacks important cereal crops including maize, sorghum and millet

Research by Ghana’s Council for Scientific and Industrial Research indicates that Striga hermonthica is a major constraint to cereal production in northern Ghana, with severe infestations capable of causing substantial yield losses

Farmers are being urged to act
early against Striga by monitoring their fields and preventing the weed from producing seeds, as part of efforts to reduce its spread and protect cereal production in northern Ghana

According to the Food
and Agriculture Organization, Striga seeds can remain viable in the soil for many years, while a single plant can produce very large numbers of seeds, contributing to the persistence and spread of infestations.

Other recommended measures include the use of certified or clean planting materials, improving soil fertility, crop rotation and integrating non-host crops such as legumes into cropping systems

Research conducted by CSIR-Savanna Agricultural Research Institute has
found that crops such as soybean can help reduce the Striga seed bank
when used in rotation or association with cereal crops. Experts also
emphasise that no single intervention is sufficient in heavily infested areas, with integrated management approaches involving improved soil fertility, crop rotation, tolerant or resistant varieties and timely removal of Striga considered important components of control

Farmers are therefore being encouraged to regularly scout their fields and uproot Striga plants before they flower and produce seeds

The advice was given during a technical briefing on Striga biology, agronomy and extension recommendations, led by Jamal-deen Ibrahim of the Department of Agriculture

He explained that Striga is a parasitic plant which attaches to the roots of host crops and obtains water and nutrients from them, thereby weakening the affected crop. Jamal-deen Ibrahim said one of the major challenges in controlling Striga is its ability to remain dormant in the soil for extended periods before suitable conditions and a host crop trigger germination

He identified wind, water, livestock, farm machinery, movement of contaminated soil and the use of infected farm-saved seeds as some of the ways Striga can spread from one field to another

Source – gbcuraonline.com

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The Executive Director of the Forum for Natural Regeneration, FONAR,
Sumaila Siedu Saaka, is calling for greater attention to soil fertility and land restoration as part of efforts to manage the spread and impact of Striga in the Upper East Region

Scientific literature also supports an integrated approach that combines Striga management with improved land and soil fertility practices, including the use of non-host, nitrogen-fixing legumes in crop rotations

Research by the CSIR-Savanna Agricultural Research Institute has similarly identified soil fertility management and integrated Striga control as important areas for improving crop production in northern Ghana

The Executive Director of FONAR says combining soil restoration, improved farming practices and community action can help reduce the conditions that
favour Striga and contribute to more productive and resilient farmland in the Upper East Region

He made the call during a media engagement on Striga biology, land restoration and natural regeneration
approaches to Striga management. Sumaila Siedu Saaka explained that poor soil fertility can make cereal crops more vulnerable to Striga infestation

He said restoring soil health should therefore form part of an integrated approach to managing the parasitic weed

He noted that Striga is a root parasite that attaches itself to host crops,
including maize, sorghum and millet, and draws water and nutrients from them

Mr. Saaka said continuous cropping, declining soil organic matter, erosion and reduced soil biological activity can contribute to land degradation, making restoration of farmland an important part of the response

He is advocating practices including natural regeneration, agroforestry, crop rotation, cover cropping, mulching, composting and the proper application of fertiliser to improve soil health and support crop productivity

He explained that natural regeneration can help restore vegetation on farmland by protecting and managing naturally occurring trees and shrubs, rather than relying solely on planting new trees

He also encouraged farmers to use crop residues and tree prunings for composting and mulching, where
appropriate, to return organic matter to the soil

Mr. Saaka stressed, however, that there is no single solution to the Striga problem and called for farmers, communities, agricultural extension officers and other stakeholders to work together

He said community-wide action is
particularly important because Striga seeds can remain in the soil for
several years, meaning efforts by individual farmers can be undermined if neighbouring farms remain heavily infested

Source – gbcurainline.com

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Media practitioners in the Upper East Region have been sensitised on the dangers of Striga and ways of controlling the parasitic weed that affects cereal crops

The training was organised by the Forum for Natural Regeneration, FONAR, in partnership with Department of Agriculture and the Ghana Journalists Association. It was held on Thursday, September 17, 2026, at the Blue Sky Hotel at Kombosigo in the Boogatanga East District of the Upper East Region

The programme was aimed at helping journalists understand Striga and report more accurately on its effects on farmers, food production and livelihoods

Striga, also known as witchweed, is a parasitic plant that attacks crops such as maize, millet, sorghum and upland rice

It attaches itself to the roots of crops and takes water and nutrients from them. In many cases, the crop can be seriously affected before the Striga plant becomes visible above the ground

FONAR says Striga is found in all 15 districts of the Upper East Region. The organisation’s Executive Director, Sumaila Seidu Saaka, has also warned that Striga infestation can cause up to 60 per cent losses in cereal production in northern Ghana, while serious infestation can lead to complete crop failure. Participants at the training were taken through practical ways of identifying and controlling the weed. These include rotating crops, intercropping, removing Striga early before it produces seeds, improving soil fertility and using crop varieties that can tolerate or resist the weed. FONAR is also promoting Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration and agroforestry as part of efforts to improve soil health and restore degraded farmland

The training forms part of FONAR’s wider 2026 campaign to educate farmers and other stakeholders about Striga and how to control it

Journalists were encouraged to take the issue beyond the workshop by visiting affected farms, speaking to farmers and agricultural officers, and reporting on the real impact of Striga on crop yields and household incomes. The organisers say better public education and accurate reporting can help farmers understand the problem and adopt practical measures to reduce Striga infestation

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The National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) in the Bolgatanga Municipality has engaged women’s groups in a follow up educational programme to strengthen their understanding of the rule of law, accountability and the fight against corruption

The initiative, titled Civic Engagement on the Rule of Law in the Fight Against Corruption, is being implemented under the Participation, Accountability, Integrity for a Resilient Democracy (PAIReD) programme, commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development and co financed by the European Union and Switzerland

Speaking during the engagement, the Municipal Director of the NCCE, Umar Jafar Abdul Sadiq, said the programme was a continuation of an earlier educational campaign that targeted student groups and women’s associations. He explained that the follow up session sought to reinforce key messages and assess how participants had applied the knowledge acquired during the initial engagement

Mr Abdul Sadiq said the programme was equipping women with knowledge of civic responsibility, accountability, ethical conduct and legal protections available to citizens. He highlighted the Whistleblower Act, 2006 (Act 720), which provides a framework for reporting unlawful or corrupt conduct and outlines protections and rewards for whistleblowers

He added that the initiative was expected to increase women’s confidence to resist and report corruption, promote integrity within their families and communities, and strengthen networks advocating for accountability and responsible citizenship

The Regional President of the Federation of Muslim Women’s Associations, Hajia Sheitu Tahiru, described the workshop as beneficial, saying it had broadened her knowledge and enabled her to share important lessons with members of her association. She appealed for the programme to be extended to other districts and urged the government to provide increased financial support to the NCCE to expand its civic education and anti corruption activities

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The Headmistress of Basiengo KG/Primary School Kalbeo, Madam Elizabeth Alosere, has appealed to philanthropists, non governmental organisations, individuals and the government to support the school in addressing its critical infrastructure and furniture challenges

She made the appeal during a donation exercise by Women in Broadcasting, Upper East Region, which provided pupils with essential educational materials, including exercise books, pencils, sharpeners and other learning supplies

Madam Alosere expressed appreciation to Women in Broadcasting for the gesture, saying the materials would help improve teaching and learning. She, however, noted that the school continued to face serious challenges that required urgent attention

According to her, the school’s three classroom block, constructed in 2016, remains its main permanent infrastructure despite the growth in enrolment. The Parent Teacher Association (PTA) subsequently constructed a pavilion to accommodate the upper primary pupils. With the school now extending to Basic Eight, the existing facilities are inadequate to meet its needs

She said the school had no furniture for pupils, teachers or the headmistress’s office, making teaching and learning difficult. The Kindergarten section also operates without a dedicated classroom block, with KG1 and KG2 occupying the staff common room

Madam Alosere explained that the situation had compelled teachers to sit under trees or on their motorbikes when marking assignments, classwork and registers. Pupils, she added, sometimes had to lie on their stomachs on the bare floor to write, while teachers were forced to bend down to attend to them

She further appealed to the public and development partners to support the construction of a KG block and the provision of desks, chairs and other essential facilities. She stressed that although the government was doing its best, the scale of the school’s needs required collective support

Madam Alosere urged Women in Broadcasting to use its platform to amplify the school’s appeal, expressing hope that individuals and organisations across the country would respond to the urgent needs of Basiengo KG/Primary School

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