Ukaid in collaboration with the Mole National Park has held a one day training workshop for 20 selected community members sharing boundaries with the Park on the need to conserve wildlife.
The workshop is to pilot a system of community rangers to support law enforcement, collaboration, and communication with the Mole National Park in their various catchment areas.
The workshop also aims at winning the support of local communities around the Mole National Park through collaborative management, teamwork and leadership.
In an interview with Mr Ndego Martin Abodiba assistant law enforcement officer of Mole National Park who also happens to be the project coordinating officer for the project, he elaborated the need for the training stating categorically why there is the need to protect our natural reserve resources and the benefits the trainees stand to achieve.
The workshop is sponsored by the Ukaid with the aid of illegal wildlife challenge fund
(Cue Audio Mr. Martin Abidoba of Mole National Park)
A coalition of three (3) Non Governmental Organization (NGOs) has condemned the violent attack on environmental journalist, Erastus Asare Donkor and three others by a group of armed men while reporting on the destruction of illegal mining activities.
In a press statement, the coalition contend that the victims were brutally assaulted by armed men allegedly acting in the interest of Edelmetallum Mining Resources Limited at Asumenya within the Asenanyo Forest Reserve in the Ashanti Region.
“We, the undersigned, unequivocally condemn the recent violent attacks on environmental and human rights defenders who are courageously exposing illegal and irresponsible mining activities that harm our environment and expose our communities to long-term health and wellbeing risks”.
The coalition, comprising organizations such as the Nature and Development Foundation, Arocha Ghana and WACAM argues that the attack is another vicious example of the escalating impunity with which community members and journalists are targeted for standing up against illegalities.
“This vicious assault is not an isolated incident. It reflects an escalating trend of violence against environmental and human rights defenders in Ghana, whether they are peacefully protesting in the streets, conducting field investigations, or monitoring illegal activities in their communities”.
Further, the coalition called for swift action to bring the perpetrators to book to serve as a deterrent to others.
“We demand swift and decisive action by law enforcement to bring the perpetrators of this heinous crime to justice. It is unacceptable that those who commit violence against citizens who have committed to secure the environment, our shared and common assets, are allowed to continue their actions unchallenged”.
It continued, ” We call on the Ghanaian government to ensure the safety and security of all environmental and human right advocates and to strengthen and firmly enforce legal frameworks that will serve as a deterrent to anyone ever contemplating attacking environmental defenders”.
The CEO of the National Health Insurance Authority, Dr Dacosta Aboagye on behalf of Government on Monday 21st October,2024 commissioned an ultramodern office complex to serve the people of the West Gonja Municipality in the Savannah Region.
Handing over the edifice to the Scheme,Dr Dacosta Aboagye disclosed that for the NHIA has paid all that it is owing the various health providers and there should not be any excuse or whatsoever of the issue of payment in any health center or hospital in the country.
He said for the first time in the history of the NHIA, health providers are being settled without any outstanding bills and that should be a very remarkable achievement on the part of his outfit.
He also mentioned that the West Gonja Municipal NHIA offices commissioning is the 9th of its kind he has commissioned across the country and emphasized the need to draw the services of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) closer to the people and reiterated the importance of operating in an enabling environment such as the newly commissioned offices.
He charged staff and other stakeholders to show a consistent sense of maintenance in their usage of the facility.
Dr Dacosta Aboagye , reaffirmed his dedication to ensuring that the scheme remains viable by facilitating access to healthcare to all Ghanaians.
He acknowledged the efforts of key individuals including traditional authorities who through their immense contributions have made it possible to complete the construction of the ultra modern edifice to serve the local communities as well.
Recounting the technological advancements that has contributed to the smooth running of the Scheme, the NHIA CEO lauded the introduction of the MyNHIS App into the NHIS operations, highlighting that its convenience and accessibility is unmatched.
The new NHIS office will offer services to access to healthcare in the municipality.
Municipal chief executive for the West Gonja Municipal Assembly, Hon. Karim Musah Kusubari on behalf of the municipality thanked the Authority for giving the municipality a befitting office.
He used the opportunity to appeal for to the CEO to help in providing vehicles especially to the NHIA offices especially in the Bole and Sawla Tuna Kalba districts since that has been a major constraints to the two districts in the region.
He also praised the NHIA for making sure all outstanding bills in the various health facilities across the country is being cleared and mentioned that the pressure on especially politicians would be reduced since medications will now be available free of charge at all the centers.
As Northern Ghana grapples with frequent bushfires, impacting livelihoods, biodiversity, and ecosystem services, King’s College (UK) partnered with A Rocha Ghana to hold a two-day training workshop in the Savannah Region. The workshop brought stakeholders together to improve fire management in Ghana, ensuring effectiveness and inclusiveness.
A research by King’s College indicates that traditional fire management practices are often ineffective or unsustainable, while local communities’ needs and perspectives are frequently overlooked.
Rahinatu Sidiki Alare, a PhD student at King’s College (UK) sharing her research findings on fire governance in Northern Ghana, highlights that fire management in Northern Ghana has marginalized some livelihoods, and policies often describing fires differently, which according to herher, a need to bridge the gap between policies and implementation.
Alare, emphasizing on the workshop’s goal, said it’s time to move beyond talk and seek effective solutions. Aiming to establish a network of stakeholders spearheading fire management issues in Northern Ghana, she advocated for herders’ inclusion in fire volunteer programs, saying they are most often overlooked in fire management systems.
Mr. Godwin Evenyo Dzekoto, Project Manager for A Rocha Ghana (Northern Sector), noted that even though the Savannah Region’s ecosystem relies on fire for ecological balance, however, annual bushfires have disrupted this balance.
According to him, A Rocha Ghana has worked with stakeholders to co-manage decisions, promote inclusivity, and reduce fire levels to acceptable degrees, ensuring ecosystem balance.
Dzekoto highlighted their efforts in training volunteers, equipping them with early warning systems and fire indexes, and integrated traditional knowledge with modern solutions.
The training workshop aimed to showcase fire’s positive aspects, engage stakeholders in decision-making, and develop effective fire management solutions.
Participants at the end, developed an adaptable framework for equitable fire management, engaging local communities to enhance biodiversity conservation, ecosystem services, and livelihood resilience.
Stakeholders included NGOs, Traditional authorities, Government bodies, Farmers, Herders, Beekeepers
The National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) in the Savannah Region have held a sensitization program on Preventing and Containing Violent Extremism (PCVE) and peaceful election 2024 for tertiary level students in the region.
The program was held at the Damongo Agricultural College.
In an address, the Savannah Regional Director of NCCE Mr Issaka Zitor said the Commission is embarking on the sensitization sessions for tertiary-level institutions acros Ghana.
Mr Zitor added that the activity is part of the European Union (EU) sponsored Preventing and Containing Violent Extremism (PCVE) Actions in the Northern Regions and other hot spots in Ghana.
According to Mr Zitor Violent Extremism and Terrorism continue to remain a serious threat to the preservation of Democratic Governance, peace, prosperity, and safety in the country.
Mr Zitor said Ghana has achieved successful conduct of Presidential and Parliamentary Elections eight (8) times in succession and peaceful transition and transfer of political power respectively from a ruling party to an opposition party in 2008 and 2016.
Mr Issaka Zitor further added that the objective of the engagements seeks to equip the students with the relevant information on preventing and containing violent extremism to enable them to become role models and influencers against Violent Extremism and Terrorism in their circles and communities and most importantly, the activity aims to engage students on the need for social cohesion, peaceful coexistence, tolerance, and preventing vote-buying and voielnce before, during, and after the 2024 elections.
Again, he said the program focuses on empowering the at-risk groups to resist and withstand the appeal of terrorism.
The Savannah Regional NCCE director said the National Commsosin for Civic Education (NCCE ) theme for the year 2024 is “Together we can Build Ghana: So Get involved”.
According to him, the Commision believes that building a strong, vibrant, and peaceful Ghana requires the contribution of its citizens.
He revealed that the Commission’s key pillars driving the civic engagements for peaceful 2024 General Ellections include; Misinformation, disinformation and fake news, Money in politics or vote buying, Religious and ethnic tolerance and Electoral voielnce.
Mr. Bismarck Seidu, the National Security Operatives for the Savannah region who was the resource person took participants through the triggers and effects of violent extremism and what to do when under attacks by extremist.
Mr. Wisdom Pavis Agbenab, rep of the regional commander of the Ghana Police Service Savannah region took participants through online recruitment by extremist and the need for citizens to provide relevant early warning signals to the security agencies for crime prevention in Ghana.
The chairperson for the program Queen Mother Memunatu Yakubu in her closing remarks admonished participants to be vigilant and report suspicious characters to the security agencies for crime prevention in the Savannah region.
Signals of joy and appreciation drew thousands of ecstatic crowds to flood the streets of Damongo when the President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, visited the area on Monday, October 14, 2024, as part of a two-day visit of the Northern, North East and Savanna regions.
To the people of Gongaland, the birth of the Savanna region by President Akufo-Addo, after a long waiting period spanning almost half a century and amidst a period of stark disappointment when one of their own kith and kin was President, is vivid testament that a brother is not only a person born by your parent or hails from your area, but could be someone who comes from a far off land yet has your most desired interests at hand. Such was the palpable sentiment in Damongo when organically appreciative people of Gonjaland thronged the streets to mob and praise President Akufo-Addo.
Aside the creation of the region, doses of profound appreciation were also dished out to for the exciting period of cooperation that had existed and continues to exist between the former and current occupants of the great Jakpa stool, as well as the deservingly rapid elevation of their son Samuel Abdulai Jinapor, that has heralded a period of progressive change, prosperity and a marked improvement in lives and livelihoods.
The Yagbonwura, Bikunuto Jewu Soale I, extended his appreciaition of the visit by the President and reflected on the numerous contributions made towards the development of the region.
Oh his part, President Akufo-Addo conveyed the gratitude of the nation to the Jakpa stool which under Yagbonwura Tutumba Boresa Sulemana Jakpa I, one of the three chiefs which included the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II and the Nayiri, Mahama Abdulai Sheriga, “who helped me to bring peace to Dagbon.”
“The second was the cooperation I received from him in the creation of the Savannah region. When I came to office, I received the petition from the people and the chiefs of Gonjaland, that they wanted their own region and had been demanding it for many years.
I said to him that, the way the constitution is written, it is the people of the area who will determine whether they want a region or not. I told him on my part, I am ready, and that if he was ready then we can work together. And by the grace of God, we were able to work together, and we succeeded in bringing the Savannah region into existence. So I will always remember him, and will always be grateful to the Jakpa stool, for these two great achievements of my presidency.”
Reflecting on the period of campaign in 2016, President Akufo-Addo said, “when I was campaigning here in 2016, I told you, that sometimes, your best brother is not the man from your village, but from a village far away, and that’s me, your brother from Kyebi, I will look after you better than your own brother.
That is why today, he continued, “in education, health, road infrastructure, industrial development, agriculture, in all of these sectors, there is every reason for the people of the Savannah region to be happy about the presidency of Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.”
The President also mentioned the over In the years before I came to office, every year, over 100,000 young men and women who will drop out of education between Junior High School and Senior High School, not because they did not have the qualification, but because their parents could not afford Senior High School Education.
“Over ten years that will mean one million young Ghanaians will drop out of the educational system, and that was a big waste on the human resources of our country. And that is why I insisted that if the good people of Ghana gave me the chance I will institute the Free Senior High school policy.” He was confident that the purpose of all these is to prepare our country to compete successfully in this twenty first century. So you are hearing of students from our schools winning global awards in robotics and artificial intelligence.
The Savannah Regional Security Council has debunked claims of providing military protection to the people Debre in the Central Gonja District of the Savannah Region during this year’s Damba festival.
This was contained in a press statement issued by the Savannah Regional Coordinating Council and signed by the Regional Minister, Saeed Muhazu Jibril.
Rather, the statement clarified that it was the 155 Armored Regiment who were on patrol along the area which conceded with the annual Damba festival of the Debre people.
“We can categorically state that the REGSEC has not directed any military to protect the people of Debre during their Damba festival and that it was the 155 Armoured Regiment who were on patrol along the area and has nothing to do with protecting the people against the Overlord of the Gonja Kingdom”.
It disclosed further that REGSEC has not met for the past months and couldn’t have sanctioned the military for any intervention or operation.
“It must also be stated, that, any military intervention or operation in any part of this region must be directed and sanctioned by REGSEC and the REGSEC has not met for the last 2 months and for that matter did not sanction any security intervention in the Debre area”.
It continued, “Therefore, the assertion that military personnel were sent by political appointees of government to protect the Debre people to celebrate their Damba is not accurate”.
The New Life Preparatory School has on Saturday October 11, 2024 marked a significant milestone, celebrating 25 years of providing quality education to the people of West Gonja Municipality and beyond.
Pastor David Gbolo, The school’s proprietor, delivering his heartfelt speech during the ceremony highlights the institution’s remarkable journey, from humble beginnings with six children and four teachers to its current enrollment of 619 students, 26 teachers, and five non-teaching staff.
According to him, despites the school facing challenges such as infrastructure expansion, transportation, and budget constraints, the school has consistently ranked among the top junior high schools in the municipality with It’s achievements including transforming Lives, Producing Successful Alumni with graduates having excelled in medicine, education, journalism, and other fields.
Professor Elliot Haruna Alhassan, Pro-Vice-Chancellor of the University for Development Studies (UDS), in his keynote speech, emphasized the importance of recognizing individual contributions to the school’s success. Highlighting key lessons, said quality education is essential for individual and societal growth, calling for a collaborative community engagement and partnerships which he says is vital to educational success and that teaching is a calling. “Educators play a critical role in shaping future leaders” he said.
“As the school moves forward, it will focus on Innovative teaching, Increasing educational opportunities for more students, Providing comprehensive support services, Fostering collaborations with local organizations, Empowering and developing the next generation of leaders” he added.
Mr. Ebenezer Amoah, Savannah Regional Coordinating Director, delivering the Regional Minister speech, highlights the minister’s support to the school, acknowledging the importance of education in shaping future leaders. He donated an undisclosed amount as seed money on the minister’s behalf, and that the minister is therefore inviting the school’s proprietor to discuss, addressing the school’s challenges.
The colorful anniversary celebration featured cultural performances, displays by the school’s army cadet, and awards for deserving teachers, students, partners, and non-teaching staff.
Kanyiti Wale Group, a vibrant pro-NPP women’s group, launched with flair in Zongo in the Zongo/Langbanto electoral area of the Damongo Constituency. Donning colorful attire, they danced and drummed to show gratitude to Lawyer Samuel Abu Jinapor and the NPP. Citing electricity extensions, road openings, education, health, and women’s empowerment initiatives, they praised Nana Akufo-Addo and Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia’s leadership.
The group thanked the mother of the Damongo Lawmaker Mrs. Alice Jinapor for her generous support with drums.
The Damongo Constituency NPP Chairman Alhaji Adam who was at the event emphasized preserving local dance traditions and pledged a public address system to aid their programs.
Speaking to the Assemblyman for the area at the time of filing this report, he underscored the importance of renewing such local dances, passed down from previous generations, as a crucial aspect of cultural heritage. He thanked the founders of the Kanyiti Wale Group and encouraged them to persist in their efforts.
Confidently, the Assemblyman asserted that Lawyer Samuel Abu Jinapor and the NPP would emerge victorious in all polling stations within the Zongo/Langbanto area.
This heartwarming display of community spirit and appreciation underscores the power of grassroots engagement and the positive impact of local leadership.
The event showcased the community’s enthusiasm for the NPP’s development initiatives and their commitment to preserving cultural heritage through traditional dances. With renewed energy and unity, the Zongo/Langbanto area is poised to make a significant impact in the upcoming elections.
The Member of Parliament for Damongo Constituency who doubles as Minister for Lands and Natural Resources Hon. Lawyer Samuel Abu Jinapor has donated a brand new Toyota V8 Land Cruiser to the Chief of Sonyor, Sonyorwura Kanyiti (I).
The Sonyor Skin which is a very revered skin in the Gonja Kingdom is the traditional ragent and eldest son of every Yagbonwura.
The vehicle donated by the Damongo legislature will relief Sonyorwura Kanyiti from the stress and struggles the revered paramount Chief goes through in his hard-body Nissan pick-up anytime he travels from Sonyor to Damongo, the seat of Yagbon to attend meetings and other traditional responsibilities.
This is not the first time the MP for Damongo demonstrated this kind gesture as he has made similar donations to prominent chiefs across Gonjaland, solidifying his dedication and commitment to the Savannah Region.
The Donation was done on behalf of Lawyer Abu Jinapor by the Municipal Chief Executive of West Gonja, Hon Karim Musah Kusubari who was accompanied by NPP Bole-Bamboi Constituency executives.
In a brief address, the MCE also introduced the contractor tasked with upgrading the Sonyo road to a motorable state to Sonyorwura Kanyiti, his sub chiefs and the entire Sonyor community.
His Majesty the Sonyowura and his sub-chiefs expressed their profound gratitude to the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources Hon. Lawyer Abu Jinapor for this kind gesture.
