Member of parliament for the Damongo Constituency and minister for lands and natural resources, Hon. Samuel Abu Jinapor has reminded the NDC in the Savannah Region to stay off the Damongo Constituency seat since it is in a safer hands and will remain an NPP seat after the 2024 polls.
Addressing a large number of party faithfuls in Nbaripe, a suburb of Damongo after handing over what the people of Damongo refer to as the most dangerous and biggest drainage system also known as the Almanara Gutter to the area after it’s completion by the contractor.
He mentioned that the entire NDC machinery in the region sees nothing with the other seats in the Savannah Region and on daily basis made Damongo their target which will fail them big time since the margin of victory for him will be much bigger now than the 2020 margin.
On his opponent, the NDC candidate, Hon. Jinapor said he is using former President Mahama to brag as if he is the only one related to him but should remember that people like Joyce Bawa Mogtari etc became ministers under JM even when they were not MPs when the then Damongo MP could not bost of anything then after claiming he was in the good books of JM and therefore reminded the constituents that the era of Maggie cubes and Ghc20 are over since the people of Damongo are now wild awake for development which he is bringing unto their doorstep.
Member of parliament for the Damongo constituency Hon. Samuel Abu Jinapor has commissioned an ultramodern maternity ward for the Larabanga community in the Damongo Municipality of the Savannah Region.
The maternity ward which is named after the founder of the community known as The Yirdana Braimah Maternity Ward is located at the Larabanga Health Center has many facilities attached including a delivery room, wards fitted with beds, wash rooms, offices among many other facilities is fully funded by the office of the member of parliament for the Damongo constituency.
Hon. Abu Jinapor also as part of the commissioning of the project donated a brand new ambulance vehicle for the Larabanga Health Center to help in the movement of referred patients from Larabanga to any part of Ghana and also help in conveying patients from nearby communities to the facility and also, as part of enhancing proper health care services for the Larabanga electoral area, renovated some of the existing facilities at the health center.
West Gonja Municipal director of health, Madam Gertrude Yentrumi praised the Damongo MP for his numerous support for the municipality.
She thanked the member of parliament for his support and urged him to continue to do more for his people since health is wealth.
Hon. Abu Jinapor in an address indicated that the health of his constituents is something that is very dear to his heart which he is always ready to sacrifice for them.
He assured them that he will ensure the pavement of the facility.
Hon Jinapor indicated that the Larabanga community is part and parcel of not only his political career but to his family since every success they have chalked is as a result of the blessings of the Larabanga community.
Taunting his achievements in the community, the MP indicated that the Larabanga community is the second community to benefit from the construction of an Astro turf complex as part of his contribution towards the promotion of sports in the constituency including the construction of the Larabanga Islamic Senior High School among others.
He told the people of the Larabanga Community that electricity poles for the extension of electricity to some parts of the community that are not connected to the national grid will soon be connected since the poles have already been brought to Larabanga.
He promised to start the construction of a modern market for the area like he did for Damongo Canteen to open up the area for businesses.
He disclosed that the Damongo weekly market which is under construction is near completion and will soon be commissioned.
He thanked the people of the Larabanga electoral area for the confidence the have in him and urged them to renew his mandate once again in December for more development of the area.
Member of parliament for Damongo constituency and minister for Lands and natural resources,Hon. Samuel Abu Jinapor has launched the Green Damongo Project, an initiative privately taken up and financed by the office of the member of parliament aim at planting trees along the major roads and some selected spaces within the Damongo township.
The launch, which took place on Friday, June 14, 2024, saw the MP underscore his dedication and unalloyed commitment to the greening of Ghana and building of a resilient climate.
The scope of the Green Damongo Project as disclosed by Hon. Samuel Jinapor indicates that over 32,000 trees will be planted to serve multiple purposes of beautifying the town and also contributing to the fight against climate change.
Divided into three phases, the first phase of Green Damongo will involve planting approximately 2,670 trees along major roads in the town and at selected sites such as the old and new markets, as well as the stretch from Military Junction to the hospital.
The second phase will extend over 66 km on each side of the road between Jojo Pe and Damongo, while the third phase will encompass each side of the road between Damongo and Sieyiri, totaling 83 km.
Tree species selected for the Green Damongo Project include the Savannah Mahogany and Cassia.
Other areas which will be captured in the exercise include , from Military junction to Hospital road, from Agric College junction to Kasha restaurant, from Damongo bypass to Agric College, and from Sawla highway to RCC.
Addressing an enthusiastic crowd of traditional leaders and residents who turned up massively with great eagerness to support his initiative, Hon. Jinapor charged the constituents to step as custodians of the environment and embrace their collective responsibility of protecting the environment.
He highlighted the Green Damongo project’s goals, which include raising awareness about the need for collective action to restore the degraded landscape in Damongo and instilling the values of planting and nurturing trees, along with their associated benefits, in the youth of the area.
“I stand before you today, in all humility and modesty, to say that, the Green Ghana Day initiative, has been wholeheartedly embraced by the entire citizenry and residents of Ghana. As Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, under whose stewardship this project was birthed, I have decided to bring the project home. For it is said, “the power of a great idea is amplified when it is shared with the place that holds your heart.”
“This morning, I am honoured to share with you a vision that is close to my heart and crucial for the future of our community, “the Green Damongo Project.” Ours is a Constituency that is blessed with vibrant people, rich culture, and a promising future. However, to ensure that our future remains bright, we must take concrete steps today to safeguard our environment. One such step is the planting of trees on the medians of our roads.
“Therefore, it is with great pleasure and deep sense of optimism that I unite with you once again, to launch this significant initiative, in our beloved Constituency. Today, we come together not just as natives and residents of Damongo, but as custodians of our environment, united by a shared responsibility to nurture and protect the natural environment that sustains us,” he said.
The vibrant ceremony, graced by several dignitaries including the the Municipal Chief Executive for Damongo, Hon. Musah Karim Kusobari, the Deputy CEO of Forestry Commission, Mr. Nyadia Sulemana Nelson culminated in the planting of commemorative trees to signify the initiative’s inauguration.
Chief Executive for the West Gonja Municipal Assembly, Mr Karim Musa paid special tribute to Hon. Samuel Jinapor for the initiative, describing it as a laudable gesture that will go a long to help reduce deforestation and land degradation in the area.
He explained that the municipality will ensure the success of the project by form committees who will be tasked with monitoring and nursing the trees.
Launched in 2021 by the government of Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and led by the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources under Hon. Samuel A. Jinapor, the Green Ghana Day initiative has become a significant movement for protecting and enhancing Ghana’s forest green cover.
The Chief Executive Officer of the National Ambulance Service, Professor Ahmed Nuhu Zakariah, received a Lifetime Achievement in Medical Assistance and Emergency Services award.
At the just ended African Public Service Optimum award Ceremony held in Accra on the 5th June,2024, to award Outstanding African leaders in the Public Service, the venerable Professor Ahmed Zakariah, was acknowledged as one of the outstanding Public Servants in Africa in recognition of his exemplary performance as a Public Servant whose excellent contributions to the practice of good corporate governance in his organisation, has led to the building of a robust Emergency service system for Ghana.
As CEO for the National Ambulance Service, his leadership prowess has led the Service to grow from a staff strength of sixty nine to over three thousand personnel, who are contributing significantly towards quality emergency health service delivery in Ghana.
Also, from seven district offices at the inception of the National Ambulance Service, the institution now has almost 300 stations with all 275 constituencies in Ghana, having established operational offices.
Receiving the award, Prof Zakariah expressed his appreciation to the African Public Service Optimum Award organisers for recognizing his humble and modest contribution to the development of Emergency Health Services in Ghana and the African continent, and dedicated the award to all the staff of the National Ambulance Service for their continuous support.
The elated medical professor and Chief Executive Officer in a short speech said, ” This award is for Ghana, and together, we shall build a robust system for the whole of Africa”
The Business Executive Magazine, organisers for the award ceremony led by it’s Group Chief Executive, Baroness Paulette Kporo, indicated that their award scheme has become the most highly revered and respected grouping of Public Servants and their private sector partners on the African continent.
She admonished all awardees to continue to contribute their bid with integrity to the growth and development of Africa.
*About Prof Ahmed Nuhu Zakariah*
Prof. Ahmed Nuhu Zakariah is a trained specialist in Intensive Care Medicine, cardiac, thoracic, and vascular Anaesthesia.
He is a seasoned instructor in both Basic Life Support and Advanced Cardiac Life Support of international repute.
He holds various qualifications both in Ghana and other European and American countries. Such qualifications include International Visiting Professorship to the University College of Medicine, Cincinnati,Ohio, USA. Fellowship of the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons (FGCS). Advanced Life Support Instructor Certificate from the USA and Executive Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) GIMPA in Accra, Ghana.
Other qualifications are Master of Philosophy (MPhil) in Biomedical Sciences and master’s in pharmacology and pharmaceutical medicine from Belgium. The rest are Medical Doctor (MD) degree and a diploma in French from Cuba
Prior to becoming the CEO of the National Ambulance Service, Prof Ahmed N. Zakariah was the Regional Medical Coordinator for the National Ambulance Service for the Greater Accra Region in 2005. He served as a Specialist (Consultant) in Intensive Care Medicine at the Ridge Hospital, Accra, under the Ghana Health Service. He was a Research Fellow in Biomedical Sciences in Free University of Brussels in Belgium.
Prof. Ahmed N. Zakariah is involved in various training programs in Ghana, such as being a lecturer at the Critical Care Nurses Training Program at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital.
Lecturer at the School of Anaesthesia at the Ridge Hospital, and also a lecturer at the Physician Assistant Training Program at the Central University College,Accra.
Prof Ahmed N. Zakariah is involved in various training programs in Ghan, such as being a lecturer at the Critical Care Nurses Trainng Program at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Lecturer at the School of Anaesthesia at the Ridge Hospital, and also a lecturer at the Physician Assistant Trainíng Program at the Central University College, Accra.
Prof Zakariah has various research publications to his credit. These include: “Combination of Biphasic Transmittatce Waveform with Blood Procalcitonin Levels for Diagnosis of Sepsis in Acutely Ill Patients” This article was accepted and Published in the Prestigious Journal of Critical Care Medicine (Critical Care Medicine: May 2008 – Volume 36 – Issue 5 – pp 1507-1512)
“Combinntion of Biphasic Iransmittance Waveform (BPW) with Procalciton (PCT) to improve sensitivity and specificity of the diagnosis of sepsis at admission to intensive care unit: “This work was accepted and presented as a P’oster at the 10th International Conference of Intensive Care Mediine of the European Resuscitation Council held in Berlin, Gemany in 2004.
“Diagnostic and prognostic values of Biphasic Transmittance Waveform (slope _1) of Ativated Partial Thromboplastin Time Coagulation Assay for identification of sepss in Intensive Care Unit patients” This research was accepted and presented as a poster at the l00th Internatonal Conterence of the American Thoracic Society held in San Diego, California. USA n 2005.
Prof. Zakariah holds memberships of international organizations such as; the membership of the European Resuscitation Council in 2003,
Member of the European Society of Intensive Care Medicine in 2004,
Member of the European Society of Paediatric and Neonatal Intensive Care in 2004, and Member of the American Thoracic Society in 2005.
He speaks languages such as English,French, and Spanish.
Members of the African Electoral Institute (AEI) has admonished Ghana’s Electoral Commission to allow political parties observe the ongoing voter registration exercise.
The African Electoral Institute made this call in a press release.
Read the full press release below…
PRESS RELEASE TO: ALL MEDIA HOUSES DATE: 3rd JUNE, 2024
*AFRICAN ELECTORAL INSTITUTE (AEI) ADMONISH THE ELECTORAL COMMISSION OF GHANA(EC) TO ALLOW POLITICAL PARTIES TO OBSERVE THE TRANSFER OF VOTES EXERCISE*
African Electoral Institute (AEI) has sighted a memo from the EC’S Deputy Chairman of Operations to all EC’S Regional Directors dated 2nd June, 2024 not to allow political parties to observe the transfer of votes exercise by the EC.
The AEI is by this Press Release admonishing the EC to allow the political parties to observe this exercise to nib in the bud any iota of suspicion and to underscore the EC’S motto of TRANSPARENCY.
The AEI wishes to remind the EC that election is a process, and the transfer exercise is part of the process. Therefore, a mere observation of the vote transfer by political parties will go a long way to augment the transparency credentials of the EC and the acceptance of election results in good faith.
SIGNED: *Augustus Kweku Eshun* *(Director of Communications and External Relations)* *Tel 024-460 9891*
*Deputy Director of Communications and ExternalRelations* *Nii Adjin Adjin- Tettey* *0540904550*
*3rd Dep. Director of Communications and ExternalRelations* *Emmanuel Biri* *0538421573* *( WESTERN REGION AND CENTRAL REGION )*
The African Electoral Institute ( AEI) is a Civil Society Organisation (CSO) founded to deliver sustainable electoral solutions to Emerging and Developed Democracies to strengthen, augment, and build electoral stakeholders capacity and participation on electoral issues through electoral education on voter’s rights and freedom, electoral research, election monitoring, election observation, election results collation, election security awareness and training of polling agents and elections directors underscoring the fact that *“elections are won at the polling stations’’* and the participation of all identifiable electoral stakeholders in an electoral process such as Political Parties, Governmental Institutions, underpinning transparency and accountability for a free, fair, and credible elections in Africa and the wider world.
In a brief but well attended ceremony held at the Palace of Busunuwura Monasa Jonokpawo (II) in Busunu, the new Registrar of the Busunu Traditional Council, Mr. Iddrisu Adam Afuli, was officially introduced to the President of the Council, Busunuwura, on May 30th, 2024.
Mr. Afuli assumed duty effectively bringing a wealth of experience to the new role assigned him.
Mr. Abutu Kapori, the Registrar of the Savannah Region House of Chiefs, introduced Mr. Afuli to Busunuwura, praising his extensive background in chieftaincy affairs having worked with him for almost a decade.
Busunuwura Monasa Jonokpawo (II) expressed gratitude to the Registrar of the House for finally posting a registrar to the Busunu Traditional Council and promised effective collaboration with Mr. Afuli the new Registrar.
With nearly a decade of experience in the Chieftaincy Ministry, Mr. Afuli has risen through the ranks, serving as an Assistant Traditional Council Registrar since 2014, a Traditional Council Registrar, Senior Traditional Council Registrar and later becoming an Assistant Regional Registrar.
He will now oversee the day-to-day management of the Busunu Traditional Council, in addition to his existing responsibilities at the Savannah Region House of Chiefs.
Busunuwura on behalf of the chiefs and people of Busunu highlighted the Council’s luck in securing an experienced registrar like Mr. Afuli, who will undoubtedly bring valuable expertise to the role.
It would be recalled that, the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs under the instructions of the Minister engaged former acting Chief Director, Kananpewurche Lily Fati Soale who to elevate the Busunu Traditional Area to a status of a traditional council on 28th January, 2023. Other Traditional Councils which were inaugurated during the same period were Bole, Wasipe and Buipe respectively.
Currently, the Savannah Region House of Chiefs has a total of six Traditional Councils.
The Savannah Regional Health Directorate has held a one-day stakeholder engagement on COVID-19 response strategies in the Savannah region
The engagement was held yesterday 23rd May 2024 at the West Gonja Health Directorate conference hall.
Speaking to Spear FM after the meeting, Dr Micheal Biredu who is the Savannah Regional Deputy Director in charge of public health said about 72% of the people of the Savannah Region have received the COVID-19 vaccination which means there is still a lot of work to be done.
According to Dr Biredu, there are still some myths and misconceptions about the COVID-19 vaccines that some people believe due to the polarization of false messages about the vaccines on social media by anti-cOVID-19 vaccine campaigners.
Dr Biredu said this has been one of the main reasons why some people feel reluctant to get vaccinated.
Dr. Biredu said the Savannah Regional Health Directorate is intensifying public education on COVID-19 and the need to get vaccinated since the disease still exists and one of the efforts being put in place to get the public educated about COVID-19 is the engagement with stakeholders.
The Member of Parliament for Damongo constituency who doubles as the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources Hon Lawyer Samuel Abu Jinapor has promised to build the entrance of Damongo Agricultural College.
The MP made this promise when he joined the students of the college to climax their SRC week celebration.
In a welcome address delivered by the principal of the Damongo Agricultural College Alhaji Mohammed Nuhu Adams, he appealed to the MP to help construct an ultra modern conference hall and a befitting entrance for the college.
In response to the request of the principal, the MP promised to do what ever he can within his strength to provide these infrastructure to the college.
Hon Abu Jinapor also encouraged the students to go out in their numbers participate in the ongoing limited voter registration and the upcoming voter transfers.
Last week we brought a story that said Mandari, a small farming community in the Bole District of Savannah Region, where school children at the Mandari D/A primary school sit under trees for teaching and learning to take place after a heavy rain ripped off the roof of the school building, hindering smooth teaching and learning in the school.
The heavy rains ravaged the school three months ago, severely damaging the school’s buildings, roofs, and floor has resulted to classes being held under trees, yet it seems nothing is been done to save the situation.
Some parents have decided to use the alternative by enrolling their wards in different schools as a result of the situation.
When we spoke with the Assembly person for Mandari Electoral area Hon Mahama Memunatu on Spear FM “This is Savannah Super Morning Show” on Friday, she said the situation still remain the same as the children are still sitting under trees to learn after the rain ripped off the roof of the school building three months ago.
The Assembly person also accused the DCE for Bole District Hon. Veronica Alela Heming for not visiting the school to see for herself the situation.
Spear FM contacted the DCE for Bole District Madam Veronica Alela Heming and she said the storm affected about three schools and she has sent the engineers of the Bole District Assembly to visit those affected schools to ascertain the extent of the disaster and give their professional advice.
According to Madam Veronica Alela, she is working around the clock to get the school fixed so that the students can return to their normal classes.
The West Gonja Municipal Football Association (WGMFA) held an inauguration ceremony on Saturday, May 25, 2024, to swear in its newly elected 9-member executive committee at the Damongo community centre. The ceremony was attended by notable figures, including Alhaji Abu Hassan Rhyzo, Chairman of the Northern Regional Football Association; Mr. Tahiru Mohammed Taribo, northern Regional Division 2 Chairman; and Mr. Abdulai Mahama, West Gonja Municipal HR, a representative of the West Gonja municipal chief executive; Mr Ibrahim Al Hassan Jihad, Savannah regional National sports Authority Boss; Mr Zakaria Samed, Savannah regional athletics association president and Mr Iddrisu Sumani Action the outgone West Gonja Municipal football association chairman
The newly elected executive committee are 1. Mr. Saaka Iddrisu (chairman) 2. Abdulai Nuhu Zulkadeen (Secretary and division 3 representative) 3. Mr. Ibrahim Abu Nawas (Division 3 representative) 4. Mr. Nuhu Aminu ( Division 3 representative) 5. Mr Karim Lukman ( Juvenile representative) 6. Mr Karim Inusah (Juvenile representative) 7. Mr Umar Siasia ( referee representative) 8. Madam Jakpa Faiza (referee representative) 9. Mr. Adam Mashud (players representative)
The newly elected chairman, Mr Saaka Iddrisu, outlined five key areas of focus for his administration:
1. Grassroots football development 2. Infrastructural improvement 3. Community engagement 4. Capacity building 5. Competitiveness and excellence
Alhaji Abu Hassan Rhyzo emphasized the importance of teamwork and offered support from the Regional Football Association. He also acknowledged the infrastructural development in the municipality and urged the executives to monitor the ongoing Astroturf construction at Busunu.
The Municipal HR, Mr Mahama Abdulai, congratulated the new executives and promised support from the Municipal Assembly, including office space. The Member of Parliament for Damongo constituency also congratulated the new executives and promised to avail himself of engagement in football development in the municipality.
The ceremony concluded with a cash donation of GHC 500, two footballs, and a trophy from Alhaji Abu Hassan Rhyzo, the member of parliament Hon Samuel Abu Jinapor also donated a cash amount of Ghc 5000 to support the committee’s projects.
