Ahead of your visit to Damongo and by extension Nana Addo’s Savannah region, let me heartily welcome you. I am reaching out to you from my abode( Sangayiri) in Larabanga, where you reneged on your promise in 2008 to provide pipe-borne water should the NDC be voted to power and you become the vice president. If you can remember, that was where in April 2008, you told the people that their source of drinking water which was a dam and some boreholes provided by former president Kuffuor was not suitable for even animals and so you would provide pipe-borne water for should you become the vice president. The people have been drinking that same water for the eight years you were at the helm of affairs in this country, first as a vice president, a situational president,,, and the substantive president until Nana Addo, Bawumia, and Lawyer Abu Jinapor
I have heard you will be visiting the Jakpa Palace per your itinerary to present yourself as the flagbearer of the NDC for the 2024 elections to the Yagbonwura and the Gonja Traditional Council as the presidential candidate of the NDC. The last time you did this was in April 2008. Factually, for the two times you were made the flagbearer of the NDC when you were in power, that is in 2012 and 2016, you never in any grand style presented yourself to the Yagbonwura and the Gonja Traditional Council. ? I also heard that you shall attend the seven-day funeral rites of Busunuwurche. Wow! Is this not great? Someone who was conspicuously missing in almost every big event in Gonjaland be it the Yagbon Damba celebration or the annual Gonjaland Youth Association gathering though you were proudly invited as a son of the land? It is on record that from January 2009 to January 2017 when you were at the top echelon of Ghana’s leadership, the only year you graced the Yagbon Damba was in 2011 when Yagbonwura Tuntumba celebrated his first anniversary. Is it that it is only when you are in opposition that you deem it fit to come home? Or do you best fit the Gonja wise saying that ” it is when the leg of a goat is broken that it knows the way to its owner’s house”
For your information, the political trick you have always played on the minds of the people of Gonjaland to vote for you as a kinsman has quickly deteriorated. Your usual statement and message to us that you are our kinsman and hence we should vote for you no longer rings a bell in the ears of many. Except the dyed-in-wool members of the NDC who still carry you in high esteem, all Gonjalanders who mean well for the land are rooting for your contender, Dr. Bawumia. The way and manner you forsook the land and denied it of monumental development still anger a lot of us well- meaning Gonjalanders to the marrow. I hope you saw it culminate in the 2020 presidential and Parliamentary results in the Savannah region.
The reverence Nana Addo and Bawumia have given the people of Gonja coupled with the unprecedented development they pushed to the land has endeared them with the us. Dr. Bawumia before he even picked form to contest the NPP flagbearership submitted himself to the Yagbonwura and came back immediately to express his words of appreciation to him after he won the contest.
Should we vote against Bawumia after all this he did for us as a people just because you are our kinsman?
1) The creation of the Savannah region, something that you refused doing when you had the authority to do so because of your personal interest.
2) The creation of the North East Gonja district that increased the number of districts of Gonjaland to seven (The West Gonja and East Gonja districts created by the Colonial masters, Sawla- Tuna- Kalba and Central Gonja districts created by former president Kuffuor,North Gonja district created by the late former president Mills).
3) The construction of the Buipe and Sawla district hospitals that you cut sod for their construction without funding has been started and fully completed and put into good use.
4) The upgrading of the the West Gonja and East Gonja districts into municipalities.
5) The upgrading of the Bole district police command to a divisional police command.
6) The connection of the several communities to the national grid.
7) The construction of the Sanyeri bridge in your own hometown , Bole
8) The numerous job opportunities given to the youth of Gonja
9) The construction of the Daboya- Mankargu road
10) The construction of the Virgin Bunjai- Fufulso road
11) The four(4) Astro turfs in the region.
12) The construction of the Damongo and Salaga township roads.
13) The Yapei and Salaga water projects.
14) The numerous scholarships given to the youth of Gonjaland.
15) The numerous educational facilities and infrastructure.
16) The numerous health facilities including the North Gonja and North East Gonja district hospitals under the agenda 111 policy.
It’s me.
Iddi Adam Osman
Larabanga.
Article: An Epistle to Candidate John Dramani Mahama as he Visits Savannah Region on 24th February, 2024. By Iddi Adam Osman
Just In: Guinness World Record, Afua Asantewa Wasn’t Successful in Her Sing-A-Thon Attempt.
Afua Asantewaa journeyed on a five-day singing marathon starting on the eve of Christmas, 24 December 2023, and ending at exactly 7:00 am on 29 December 2023.
Afua who wrapped up her record attempt had sung without ceasing for five days and six(6) hours.
Months after her sleepless and stressful journey of a record attempt for the longest singing marathon, the GWR only came to wish her “better luck next time”.
A tweet spotted by Spear FM on X by the GWR says “Unfortunately, Afua’s GWR attempt for the longest singing marathon was not successful, but we hope that she will make another attempt soon”.
“We’ve seen how inspirational it has been for her fans” they added.
Spear FM Health Tips By Sherif Asumah Pororo, Nursing Officer.
Confirmed Autopsy of, MR. ALI GARIBA, who died of cardiac arrest. Please read this tips from a Nursing officer.
It takes you just 2mins.
1. Let’s say it’s 7:25pm and you’re going home alone of course after an unusual hard day on the job.
2. You’re really tired, upset and frustrated.
3. Suddenly you start experiencing SEVERE PAIN IN YOUR CHEST that starts to drag out into your arm and up in to your jaw. Yet you are about 3 km from the hospital nearest to your location.
4. Unfortunately you don’t know if you’ll be able to make it that far.
5. You have been trained in CPR, but the person who taught you the course did not tell you how to perform it on yourself.
6 HOW TO SURVIVE A HEART ATTACK WHEN ALONE?
Since many people are alone when they suffer a heart attack without help, the person whose heart is beating improperly and who begins to feel faint, has only
about 10 seconds left before losing consciousness.
7. However, these victims can help themselves by:
i. coughing repeatedly and very vigorously.
ii. a deep breath should be taken before each cough
iii. the cough must be deep and prolonged as in when trying to produce sputum from deep inside the chest.
iv. Continue the breathe deep and hard cough repeatedly about every two seconds without letting-up until help arrives, or until the heart is felt to be beating normally again.
POINTS TO NOTE:
a. Deep breaths get oxygen into the lungs, while coughing.
b. movements squeeze the heart and keep the blood circulating.
c. The squeezing pressure on the heart also helps it regain normal rhythm. In this relationship go to a hospital.
Thank you!
Your wellness increases our happiness
Spear FM Health Tips; Your health is your wealth.
S/R: NDC Youth Wing Inaugurates Savannah Regional Volunteers and Surrogates.
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) in their bid to capture power in the 2024 general elections have held an inauguration and orientation for their volunteers and surrogates group.
The inauguration and orientation was done by the national director for volunteers and surrogates, madam Hufaiza Wunnam together with the Savannah Regional youth wing of the party.
The group, which was inaugurated at the instance of its national director is made of representative from all the seven constituencies of the Savannah Region.
Various speakers from both national and regional levels charged the group to work assiduously with the party structures in order to secure a resounding victory for H.E. John Dramani Mahama and the party’s parliamentary candidates in the Savannah Region.
The volunteers were also equipped with various techniques and strategies in marketing the good policy initiatives of the party and how to persuade people to vote for the NDC.
The Regional Youth wing was represented by the two deputy youth organisers, Hon. Bawa Mubarik and Hon. Abdul Razak, and the regional director of volunteers and surrogates, Mr. Salifu.
The youth front indeed expressed their gratitude to Madam Huzaifa Wunam, Hon. Seidu Fiter and particularly members of the volunteer group for their continuous commitment and loyalty to the course of the NDC party in the Savannah Region.
According to the Savannah Regional NDC youth leaders, It is the considered view of the youth wing that the knowledge and experiences learnt at the programme will brighten the prospects of the party and consequently maximise their votes for a resounding victory come December 2024
Source: Hamza Sulemana
Youth Employment Agency (YEA) Employs People Living With Disabilities.
The Youth Employment Agency (YEA) has on Thursday 22nd February, 2024 employed Persons Living with Disability(PWDs) numbering 282 in a groundbreaking initiative.
The initiative targeted people that lost their jobs as a result of suspension of road toll collection in Ghana.
The CEO of YEA, Kofi Agyepong, in a press conference at the agency’s head office in Accra emphasized on providing employment for the Ghanaian youth as something paramount to the agency amidst the current economic uncertainties.
Mr Kofi, said this initiative became necessary considering the challenges Persons living with disability (PWDs) are facing after the government’s suspension of road toll collection rendering hundreds of this people jobless.
“Rather than lamenting the circumstances, we viewed this as an opportunity to demonstrate our commitment to affecting positive change” he added.
These individuals have been strategically placed as regional , municipal and district Disability Desk Officers across all 16 administrative regions and 266 YEA operational districts.
Meanwhile, the Agency has also developed alternative pathways through impactful modules such as Bussiness and Employment Assistance Programme (BEAP), youth in skill training and the Garment and Textile Training initiative that aimed at providing equal opportunity for all.
This life changing initiative that kept smile on faces of many today, is at ensuring the welfare and social security of people living with disabilities thereby guaranteeing them equitable pleasure and access to same share of the National cake in terms of employment.
The Agency, expressed gratitude to partners and collaborators such as the Employment and Labour relation, and Roads and Transport ministries, Ghana Federation of Disability Organization and the Center for Employment of Persons living with Disability (CEPD) for the success of this initiative.
S/R, West Gonja Municipal: Damongo South Circuit (KURABASO JHS “A”) Wins Science and Maths Quiz.
Kurabaso Junior Hgh School representing the Damongo South Circuit emerged winners in a proudly sponsored “Annual Science and Maths Inter Circuit Quiz Competition 2024” by Lawyer Samuel Abu Jinapor.
The quiz competition featured the six educational circuits; Busunu, Damongo North and South, Mole East and West and Canteen.
The municipal STMIE coordinator, Miss Muniratu Baba in her address expressed a great pleasure to welcome all to the event which she described as an international Day of Women and Girls in science of which she said “this has come to a fruition with the help of the honorable member of parliament, Lawyer Samuel Abu Jinapor.
She said, it is imperative for achieving a better academic performance bringing everyone forward for a sustainable and equitable development in which it recognizes that full and equal access to and participation in Science, mathematics , technology and innovation for all ages.
She therefore called on all to see this as a collective responsibility with their commitment and sacrifices as officers, sponsors and philanthropist which will eventually improve the academic performance of student, especially girls in the area of Science and mathematics.
“I therefore on behalf of the science and mathematical team would want to use this opportunity to express our gratitude to each and everyone who has been with us from the beginning of this mandate till date, we say a very thank you and God bless us all” she added.
Meanwhile, the Municipal Director of Education, Mr. Ferguson Akey in his speech extended a warm welcome and also expressed his deepest appreciation to the esteemed dignitaries present gracing the occasion.
He added that the theme for this year’s competition underscores the importance of empowering women and girls to take on leadership roles in the fields of science and mathematics. “It is a call to action, a reminder that diversity and inclusivity are not just buzzwords but essential components of progress and sustainability” he stressed.
He further urged all to reflect on the countless barriers that women and girls face in pursing careers and leadership roles in these field.
He also urged that they should challenge the stereotype, dismantle the systematic biases and pave way for a future where every individual regardless of gender, has equal opportunities to excel and lead.
The colorful occasion saw a poetry recital and choreography performance from Sir Martins Memorial School and an exclusive stage performance by “Boresah the Messiah”.
Meanwhile, this quiz competition dubbed “West Gonja Municipal Annual Science and Maths Circuit Quiz Competition is proudly and solely sponsored by Lawyer Samuel Abu Jinapor, MP, Damongo constituency under the theme, “Women and Girls in Science leadership, a New Era for Sustainability” and International Day for Mathematics with the theme, “Playing with mathematics”.
Story By: Don-ninge Cajetan/Spear FM Damongo
Hangaline Assemblyman Secures Water Supply for Residents with Ghc20,000 Support from Abu Jinapor
In response to the pressing water scarcity issue plaguing the Hangaline electoral area, Assemblyman for the area, Hon. Gorden Kumatey also known as Hon. Flenzy, took decisive action by offering free water supply for residents on Tuesday, February 20, 2024.
This intervention came after he successful secured a financial support of Ghc 20,000 from the Member of Parliament for Damongo, Lawyer Abu Jinapor to reconnect a lifeline mechanized borehole in the Hangaline community which was disconnected from electricity due to an outstanding debt of Ghc 91,000.
However, Hon. Flenzy’s commitment to addressing the community’s challenges, particularly regarding water scarcity, remained steadfast.
Prior to the 2023 District Assembly elections, he pledged to tackle the issue, which resonated deeply with the electorate.
Through relentless advocacy and collaboration with the NPP electoral area coordinator, Mr. Adam Ishmael, Hon. Flenzy succeeded in securing the much-needed funds from the MP for Damongo, Samuel Abu Jinapor to partly pay for the debt owed the Volta River Authority.
The allocation of Ghc 20,000 facilitated the reconnection of the borehole to power, providing a lasting solution to the water scarcity issue in the area.
The mechanized borehole, located near Hajia Atomi’s House, serves as a vital resource for the Hangaline community and It’s disconnection had left residents grappling with water scarcity which significantly impacted on their daily lives.
Hon. Flenzy expressed gratitude to Lawyer Abu Jinapor for his support, as well as to Mr. Bawa Fuseini (Capacity), the constituency secretary of the NPP, Mr. Kadri Abdul Rahman and Hangaline electoral coordinator, Mr. Adam Ishmael, for their assistance in ensuring the borehole’s reconnection.
As Hangaline residents celebrate the restoration of their water supply, Hon. Flenzy’s dedication to fulfilling campaign promises underscores the importance of effective local representation in addressing community challenges.
Source: Office of the Assemblyman/Hangaline E/A- 0243531604
S/R: Akufo-Addo Government Has Recognize The Role Of The Youth In National Development – Says Regional Minister
The Savannah Regional minister, Him. Saeed Muhazu Jibril has said that President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has recognized the pivotal role of the Ghanaian youth, especially in national development.
He emphasized that the initiatives such as the National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme and GEA’s Youth Entrepreneurship and Employment Program (YEEP) which exemplify the commitment to fostering the entrepreneurial ecosystem, providing integrated support for young businesses to grow and succeed.
The Hon. minister who was giving his keynote address in Damongo of the Savannah region at the regional launch the Ghana Enterprise Agency (GEA) and MasterCard Foundation’s Business in A Box (BizBox) Project, indicated that entrepreneurship and apprenticeship have been identified as the prime pathways to increase employment opportunities for the Ghanaian youth and women.
He further noted that the GEA BizBox intervention aims to unearth the entrepreneurial potential in the youth by providing a comprehensive toolkits, learning opportunities, and start-up kit support.
Hon. Muhazu expressed worry about the high unemployment rate in the country, adding that efforts government to address the situation, there is the need for urgent and strategic interventions to equip the younger generation with skills, technology, and opportunities to thrive in the work.
The BizBox project according to the regional minister, is set to make a significant impact in 250,000 Ghanaians youth, with a focus on young women and Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), where 70% of the beneficiaries will be women and 10% will be PWDs.
Touching on the main goal of the project, Mr. Muhazu stated that the project geared towards instilling an entrepreneurial mindset and attitude through capacity development, mentorship, coaching, access to markets, regulatory support, and start-up kits.
He commended GEA and MasterCard Foundation for their unwavering commitment to the development of the youth.
“The Akufo-Addo Bawumia Government is dedicated to creating conducive environments where businesses, especially those own by youth, women, and PWDs, can thrive”, Hon. Muhazu said.
He urged traditional authorities, religious leaders, and community leaders to support the initiative and encourage the youth to participate fully.
“The youth are ready to embrace this opportunity, and together,we can transform Ghana”.
Story by Tahiru Abdul-Washiru/Spear FM
S/R Jakpa Palace: Constitutional Reform Draft Committee Seeks Yagbonwura Blessing.
The constitutional reform draft committee of the 1930 Gonja constitution led by it’s chairman, Tingawura Seidu Abudu on 20th February, 2024 paid a courtesy call on the king and overlord of Gonja, Yagbonwura Bii-Kunuto Jewu Soale(I) to seek for his blessing to kick start their mandate.
Lawyer Mohammed Osman Amin, National president of the Gonjaland Youth Association (GLYA) in his speech said it is necessary to seek the King’s blessings and advice to enable them to have a fruitful exercise since the kingdom belongs to him.
He stated that the committee after receiving the King’s blessing will kick start a consultative engagement with all paramount chiefs starting with chiefs and people of the Bole and Sonyo traditional areas respectively.
“Though not part of this committee, it became necessary to join this team because the GLYA as stakeholders have been involved”, he emphasized.
Dayanpewura Jingbele bemoans the rate at which people take to social media platforms to dis/misinform the public. he, therefore, pleaded with the overlord to call to order who soever that may want to make nasty comments on this constitutional review.
Prof. Adams Sulemana Achanso in an interview with Spear FM on behalf of the committee, said this constitutional review should be welcomed by all Gonjas and Gonjalanders because this is the first of its kind.
He added that this review became necessary to strengthen peaceful coexistence between neighboring ethnic groups, put to an end all chieftaincy and land disputes, and also promote the rich Gonja culture.
“It is not in our capacity as a committee to determine who becomes a chief, Clan head or any other portfolio in the Gonja kingdom hence the need for broader consultation and so therefore, all must contribute to this reform exercise,” He said.
The King and overlord expressed gratitude for the great steps taken so far and offered them his blessings. He also assured them of his continual support and that of the whole kingdom physically, spiritually, and financially.
He added, “I hope that the constitutional review fulfills its purpose and do not hesitate coming forth to me if facing any form of challenge in your work”.
The Constitutional Review Draft Committee is expected to be in Bole, Sonyo, and Kong traditional areas today and in the rest of the kingdom in the coming days and also to Kamankpan and other Gonja towns in the Bono east region.
Story by: Don-ninge Cajetan/Spear FM
Business In A Box Project duly launched In The Savannah Region
The Mastercard Foundation in partnership with the Ghana Enterprises Agency (GEA) has launched a youth-empowering program known as the Business In a Box (BizBox) project in Damongo in the west Gonja Municipality of the Savannah region.
The program took place at the Daomongo Community Center on 20th February 2024 on the theme; “Empowering the Youth for a Better and Brighter Future”
The Business in a Box project is a scale up of the Young Africa Works Project being implemented in Ghana by the Ghana Enterprises Agency in partnership with Mastercard Foundation to provide youth skills development, access to start-up kits, youth social networks, institutional strengthening, policy, and regulatory support.
In a welcome address, the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Enterprises Agency Mrs. Kosi Yankey-Ayeh said the BizBox project builds on the successes of the young Africa Works which was implemented from 2020 to 2022 and provided work opportunities to 94,000 youth across the country, therefore, the new intervention is designed to achieve even more by providing skills development, mentoring, and coaching to the youth to have access to markets.
She added that the project is expected to support 250,000 young women and men including the persons with Disabilities (PWDs) with a focus on supporting 125,000 of them with start-up kits to create new businesses, jobs and by extension better the livelihoods of the young people.
Mrs. Yankey-Ayeh also added that the youth are the leaders of change and innovation with the determination to see things through and they only need the chance to demonstrate their skills which the project will provide a comprehensive framework for the youth to succeed as entrepreneurs and contribute to the growth of the region and Ghana’s economy.
The CEO further said that the BizBox project gives 70 percent benefit to women and 10 percent to the PWDs.
The Savannah Regional Minister, Hon. Saeed Muhazu Jibril in addressing the gathering said it is worrying and infinitely more painful to see the percentage of the nation’s workforce unemployed still high, particularly among the youth, and that the government under the leadership of H.E Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo recognizes the pivotal role of the youth in national development. Therefore initiatives such as the National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Program, GEA’s Youth Entrepreneurship and Employment Program (YEEP) exemplify the commitment to fostering the entrepreneurial ecosystem, providing integrated support for young businesses to grow and succeed.
The Hon. Minister mentioned that the overreaching goal of the project is to instill an entrepreneurial mindset and attitude through capacity development, mentorship, coaching, access to markets, regulatory support, and start-up kits, therefore, the youth should take a keen interest in capacity building to establish themselves in profit business making and that no one will be left out through the support of the government of the Republic.
Madam Adam Christy Afisha, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Christy’s Favoured Clothing in Damongo of the west Gonja municipality, a beneficiary of the transformative power of the GEA and Master Card Foundation Young Africa project said the Young Africa Project provides a unique opportunity to turn vision into a reality and she has the privilege to train 14 apprentices with a grant of ghc20,000 which helped her to expand her business.
She added that the project introduced her to a series of trainings including Kaizen, financial literacy, small business management, and e-commerce.
She thanked the Ghana Enterprises Agency GEA’s and Master Card Foundation for the support and commitment and entreated the youth to take advantage of the Business in a Box project.
