The first Member of Parliament for the Damongo -Daboya Constituency, Hon. Edward Aliedong Alhassan, has passed away.

He died yesterday, September 19, 2024 at the Tamale Teaching Hospital (TTH) where he was receiving treatment from medics.

News of his demise was announced in a statement issued by the Regional Secretary of the NDC for Savannah, Lawyer Salifu Bi-Awurbi.

Hon. Aliedong, born on April 16, 1940 was elected MP for the Damongo -Daboya Constituency on the ticket of the National Democratic Congress in the 1992 parliamentary elections.

He was born in Shemsi, a community under Daboya in the North Gonja District of the Savannah Region.

He successfully discharged his duties as a lawmaker between 1992 to 1996.

Farm Radio International Ghana is a non-profit organization dedicated to leveraging
the power of radio for agricultural and rural development. Through informative
programs, they empower farmers with knowledge, facilitate community connections, and contribute to sustainable agricultural practices.

In a press release issued by Benjamin Fiafor Country Representative of Farm Radio International Ghana, the NGO urged the government, civil society, media, and all stakeholders to collaborate in combating illegal mining, ensuring stricter environmental laws, and providing
sustainable alternatives.

Read press release below

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Farm Radio International Calls for Concerted Efforts to Halt Activities of Illegal Miners to Safeguard Ghana’s Agriculture and Rural Livelihoods

The activities of illegal miners popularly known as ‘galamsey’ have reached a point
where the lives of citizens are being threatened. Water bodies have been polluted with residues of heavy metals beyond treatment, while arable lands in many parts of the country have been left redundant, not to mention aquatic lives in a lot of rivers.

The existential threat faced by many residents who live very close to these illegal mining sites, is one that is of major concern to us as an organization.
Through our work, Farm Radio International interfaces with many of our hard working citizens, who are predominantly farmers, and the level of pollution and devastation to their
lands is one that hurts, and needs serious attention to reverse the current trend.

Indeed, the environmental and socio-economic consequences threaten sustainable agriculture, food security, and livelihoods for millions of Ghanaians.

As an organization that champions the voice of small-scale farmers, we stand with rural communities who are struggling to protect their lands and livelihoods from the harmful effects of illegal mining. Our farmers are the backbone of the nation’s food systems, and it is critical that urgent action is taken to safeguard their future.

We urge the government, civil society, media, and all stakeholders to collaborate in combating illegal mining, ensuring stricter environmental laws, and providing
sustainable alternatives.

We will continue to collaborate with our partners to promote agricultural resilience and environmental protection, recognizing that a healthy environment is fundamental
to the long-term success of Ghana’s agriculture sector.

About Farm Radio International, Ghana:
Farm Radio International Ghana is a non-profit organization dedicated to leveraging
the power of radio for agricultural and rural development. Through informative
programs, we empower farmers with knowledge, facilitate community connections, and contribute to sustainable agricultural practices.

Benjamin Fiafor
Country Representative
bfiafor@farmradio.org
+233208186887
CC;
ALL MEDIA HOUSES

About one hundred (100) people have undergone a career development seminar aimed at guiding their career choices.

It was held at the conference hall of the Damongo Municipal Library, near the Jakpa Palace in the Savannah Region on Friday, September 6, 2024.

Participants made up of junior and senior high schools, graduates and other prospective applicants to tertiary institutions and parents took part in the programme.

The purpose of the seminar was to guide participants to identify career paths that align with their skills/strength and interests.

A lead facilitator of the seminar, Pastor Samuel Mahama Denkeri speaking on the sidelines of the event, stressed the significance of empowering young people to make informed choices about their future careers.

This he said, will unlock the full potential of the young individuals for the sustained development of both their local communities and the country as a whole.

Mr. Aaron Kuwornu, Regional Director for North East, Northern and the Savannah Regions, explained that the seminar was to provide a platform for young people to be guided on the best approach to career paths.

He used the opportunity to call on parents to assist in that regard so as to see their wards excel in their pursuit of education and subsequent careers.

Mr. Kuwornu revealed that more of such seminars are in the pipeline for beneficiaries in the Municipality and the region as a whole.

In a bid to promote peaceful elections and prevent the escalation of conflicts, the National Peace Council has held a two-day media training on conflict-sensitive for reporters in the Savannah Region.

The two-day training exercise was held at the Savannah Regional Coordinating Council Conference on September 4-5, 2024.

The training which was facilitated by the Deputy Director in charge of Conflict Management at the National Peace Council, Mr. Frank Wilson, emphasized the critical role Journalists play in preventing the escalation of conflicts and promoting peace.

It drew participants from various media outlets across the Savannah Region, who were equipped with skills and knowledge to report on conflicts in a sensitive and responsible manner.

He told journalists to report on fact-based issues and not sensational stories stressing that major purpose is for journalists to broadcast facts to maintain peace in Ghana.

“The purpose of this engagement is to train media institutions on conflict sensitive reporting before, during and after 2024 elections. Ghana has witnessed a long standing peace over the years which should not be compromised because of the 2024 elections”.

Mr. Wilson disclosed that the the media training exercise was under a project known as “Preventing Violence Extremist Through Social Accountability (PoVETSA) in partnership with the Catholic Relief Services with sponsorship from the Royal Netherlands Government.

The sponsorship is a three year project which will consider a lot of works with the journalists and media practitioners beyond this day in Ghana.

He also charged journalists in the region to adopt conflict-sensitive reporting practices.

“By doing so, they can play a crucial role in preventing the escalation of conflicts and promoting peace”.