The people of Sonyo in the Bole municipality are crying out for help as they endure a total power outage that has befall the community after a rainstorm broke some electricity poles last Sunday 27th April, 2025 causing the only tranformer serving the Sonyor community to fall.

Sonyowura Adamu Kanyiti, the paramount chief of the Sonyo Traditional Area, made a heartfelt appeal to authorities to intervene and restore electricity to his community when Spear FM’s news team visited him at his palace on Sunday, May 4, 2025.

According to Sonyowura Kanyiti, the power outage has had far-reaching consequences, affecting businesses, households, and even public health, as traders in perishable goods, such as cold or seafood, are struggling to keep their products from deteriorating, while grinding mills lie idle, making it difficult for women to prepare food for their families.

The Sonyowura expressed concern about the potential health risks associated with the prolonged power outage, citing the increased risk of cerebrospinal meningitis (CSM) as people are forced to sleep in warm, poorly ventilated rooms. He also lamented that the lack of electricity has disrupted communication, as his mobile phone has been off, making it impossible for the Yagbonwura, the overlord of the area, to reach him.

Sonyowura Kanyiti specifically appealed to President John Dramani Mahama, Savannah Regional Minister Hon. Salisu Be-Awuribe, and MP for Bole-Bamboi Constituency and Deputy Minister of Lands and Natural Resources Hon. Yusif Sulemana to intervene and restore power to Sonyo. He also urged the authorities to expedite the process of appointing a Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for the Bole Municipality, which he believes would facilitate quicker response to such issues.

The Sonyowura explained that the absence of an MCE has hindered the community’s ability to address pressing issues like the power outage, emphasizing that the MCE would have been his first point of call in this situation. He hopes that with an MCE in place, the community would receive more prompt attention to its needs.

(Cue Audio of Sonyowura on power)

As the people of Sonyo wait with bated breath for relief, the Sonyowura’s appeal serves as a reminder of the critical role that electricity plays in modern life and the need for effective governance to address the needs of communities.

Deputy Lands Minister Breaks Ground for Lands Commission Office Complex in Savannah Region

In a groundbreaking event, the Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Yusif Suelmana, on behalf of the substantive minister, Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah, has cut the sod for the construction of a two-storey office complex for the Lands Commission in the Savannah Region.

Speaking at the event on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, the Deputy Minister said the construction of the magnificent office is to enable the Lands Commission to perform its duties well. According to him, the Lands Commission was established by the 1992 Constitution, making it a vital institution.

“It is important to the extent that if the Lands Commission does its work well, many land disputes will be resolved.” “You go to many communities, and what you see is conflict among friends and neighbors due to land litigation. It is the responsibility of the Lands Commission to demarcate and register lands appropriately to reduce conflicts and unnecessary fighting,” he added.

He added that many entrepreneurs are unable to provide landed property when asked to produce it for banks to advance loans, denying many people access to bank loans due to lack of land documentation. He also noted that foreign investors require land documents when coming to the country to do business, highlighting the need for the Lands Commission to have a suitable edifice to discharge its duties effectively.

He revealed that the Lands Commission has disclosed to the ministry that $165 million is needed to digitize the land administration system, easing difficulties in land registrations. The ministry will partner with the private sector to secure the necessary funds.

He cautioned the contractor against shoddy work, stating that he would visit the site frequently and not hesitate to terminate the contract if the work is not done properly. Conversely, he would recommend the contractor to the ministry for more jobs if they perform well.

The Deputy Executive Secretary in charge of operations at the Lands Commission, Surv. Adu Nsafuah, said this is a dream come true for the commission, and he is delighted. According to him, the Lands Commission’s management, through its five-year strategic plan, decided to have its own office complexes across all regions. Out of the 16 administrative regions, only four have their own offices, while the remaining 12 rent facilities, which comes with significant financial difficulties.

This is the first among the six newly created regions to get an office complex and one of the remaining 12 regions. He added that they spend more time at their workplaces than at home, so they need a comfortable working environment to discharge their duties perfectly.

He assured the minister of the commission’s commitment to ensuring the work is executed on time within the 12-calendar-month contractual agreement. The Lands and Natural Resources Ministry has yet to announce the commencement of office construction for the remaining districts.
The contract has been awarded to CK Engineering LTD.

The event was attended by the Savannah Regional Minister, the West Gonja MCE, chiefs, stakeholders, and workers of the Savannah Region Lands Commission.

The National Association of Gonjaland Students Ghana (NAGS-GH) successfully held its election at Sawla, marking a significant milestone in the student body’s leadership transition. Mumuni Sulemana, a student of Akenten Appiah-Menkah University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development (AAMUSTED) Mampong campus studying Bsc. Natural Resource Management emerged victorious as the president-elect for the 2025/2026 academic year.

Sulemana, hailing from Larbanga in the West Gonja Municipality, secured an overwhelming 37 out of 41 votes, demonstrating his strong support among the student body. His contender, Alidu Ramadan, received only one vote, underscoring Sulemana’s landslide victory. Three votes were spoiled during the election.

Electoral Commissioner Mohammed Abdul Rashid officially declared Sulemana the president-elect, tasking him with leading the student body for the next academic year. Other executives were elected unopposed after undergoing a rigorous vetting process, ensuring that only qualified and capable individuals assume leadership roles.

The election outcome reflects the confidence and trust that NAGS-GH members have in Sulemana’s leadership abilities. As he takes office, Sulemana will be responsible for advancing the interests of Gonjaland students, fostering unity, and promoting academic excellence.

Congratulations to Mumuni Sulemana and the newly elected executives as they embark on their leadership journey, serving the student body and contributing to the development of Gonjaland.

Hon. Haruna Iddrisu, the Minister for Education, has announced plans to boost educational infrastructure in the Savannah region. Specifically, he pledged to provide Larbanga Islamic Senior High School with comprehensive resources and boarding facilities. This commitment was made during the 49th Gonjaland Youth Association congress in Sawla, where he outlined key initiatives aimed at enhancing education in the region.

The Minister unveiled ambitious plans to enhance education in the Savannah region. Speaking at the 49th Gonjaland Youth Association congress in Sawla, he outlined key initiatives aimed at boosting educational infrastructure and opportunities.

These include the construction of an ultra-modern multi-purpose STEM building in Tinga in the Bole Municipality, provision of comprehensive resources and boarding facilities for Larbanga Islamic Senior High School, and the full absorption of the Savannah College of Education, including staff salaries, facilitated by Professor Ahmed Jinapor.

Additionally, the Savannah College of Education is set to receive a pickup vehicle, further supporting its development. Hon. Iddrisu also announced plans for constructing a new university in the region, underscoring the government’s commitment to advancing education in Gonjaland.

Emphasizing the importance of cultural preservation, Hon. Iddrisu appealed to the Gonjaland Youth Association leadership to prioritize the local language and dialect in education for the younger generation. Furthermore, he assured the people of Savannah that all Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) schools would be completed, demonstrating the government’s commitment to providing quality education.

Expressing gratitude to the president for entrusting him with the education portfolio, Hon. Iddrisu pledged to deliver on his promises without fail. Given the region’s significance as the home of President John Dramani Mahama, he assured that developmental projects would be prioritized and expedited. The Gonjaland Youth Association, which hosted the event, plays a vital role in uniting the youth of Gonjaland annually to discuss pertinent issues and foster unity.

The 49th Congress was particularly notable, drawing prominent leaders and government officials from across the country. These initiatives reflect a strong commitment to improving education, preserving cultural heritage, and empowering the youth in Gonjaland, setting the stage for a brighter future for the region’s residents.