HRM Buipewura Jinapor II has called for more support for the Cultural Oneness Festival. He made this call when he chaired the launch of Cultural Oneness Festival on 15th February, 2024 held at GNAT hall in Accra.
Buipewura Jinapor II entreated all and sundry to carry forth, the spirit, and vision of the Cultural Oneness Festival.
“I see the Cultural Oneness Festival growing into higher heights so let’s remain resolute in our commitment to celebrating cultural diversity”. He said
In Buipewura’s closing remarks as the chairman of the occasion, he said he is fulfilled with profound gratitude and pride for the unprecedented session and that they have been witnesses to something truly extraordinary which is the launch of the Cultural Oneness Festival therefore the enthused participation of highly profiled dignitaries from government and the convergence of the media shows the level of commitment they have in promoting, projecting and redefining the cultural landscape of our desired creative pursuits.
Buipewura Jinapor II congratulated and extended his deepest appreciation to everyone who came to grace the occasion of the launch of the Cultural Oneness Festival and that their participation created a significant difference to the launch.
The second (2nd) edition of the Cultural Oneness Festival for 2024 was launched under the theme “Leveraging on our strength for shared growth and prosperity as one people”.
The festival which is organized by Taste of Africa celebrates the rich cultures of the diversity of Northern Ghana to promote unity through Music, Art, and Culture.
The co-founder of the Taste of Africa, Tengol Khelemani in an address said when talking of tourism and routes, there is a need to know the routes of the Northern cultures, hence, all foreigners should be taken in the right and accurate direction to know and learn the cultures.
Nana Otuo Owoahene Acheampong in his speech commended the organizers and that he is happy the National Commission of Culture is part and parcel of the Culture and the Kings championing the initiative.
He added that if we must practically make any meaningful progress as a Nation, then we need to embrace the culture and all its manifestations while at the same time welcoming contemporary initiatives backed with caution.
Speaking on behalf of MUSIGA, the head of communication, Ahuma Ocansey cited that integrity and diverse cultures have bound us together as one people and captured the essence of the festival and that he looks forward to Cultural Oneness Festival and believes both local and international markets will fully appreciate the reason for the festival.
“Ghana is bigger than Accra, so I would like to congratulate the organizers for striving and putting the event at Accra to showcase to the international market”. He added.
Let Us Carry Forth The Spirit And Vison Of The Cultural Oneness Festival – Buipewura Jinapor II
Damongo: You can’t Use Six Months to Campaign Against Abu Jinapor Who Has Been on Touch With The People After 2020 Elections – Regional Minister to Hon Garlus
The Savannah Regional Minister Hon. Saeed Muhazu Jibril has expressed much confidence in the Member of Parliament for Damongo and minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Lawyer Samuel Abu Jinapor, describing him as a distinguish personality in the Ghanaian political space.
The minister who was speaking at a ceremony in Damongo of the Savannah region on Saturday February 17, 2024 to acclaim the current MP as the NPP parliamentary candidate for the 2024 general elections, rated the the Damongo legislature 4.5 stars for his outstanding contribution to the developmental drive for the people of Damongo and Savannah region at large.
Hon. Muhazu who is the former Municipal Chief Executive for West Gonja before his elevation to the Regional minister noted that, he is not surprised the incumbent MP went unopposed the second time in the recent internal primaries of the party.
“For me, the gentleman we are here to acclaim this morning has distinguished himself and the rating is 4.5 stars that i will rate him. Therefore if you come and say you want to contest him, you know you are going to loose”, Hon. Muhazu added.
The Hon. minister touching on the competition between the ruling NPP candidate and the opposition NDC candidate Adam Mutawakilu, he gave a gentle advise to the NDC to save the little they have on them to allow the untouchable Jinapor to deliver what the electorates expect.
Hon Muhazu added that the NDC parliamentary candidate Hon. Garlus who has been missing in the Damongo constituency after he lost the Damongo seat cannot use only six months to campaign and defeat Hon. Abu Jinapor who has been campaigning for the past three years even after his election as the MP for Damongo Constituency.
He however indicated that the NPP in the upcoming December general elections will increase the vote margins in the Constituency and the Savannah region as a whole, sending a strong signal to their opponents that,
“It’s a simple message, go back and work very very hard. This time we are not looking at a gap of 2,3000, we are looking at a gap between 7,000 to 10,000 votes”, Hon. Muhazu jabs.
“We have been campaigning for the last three years and you are coming to use six months to beat that gentleman, no way. So the message is clear, we going to beat them and beat them, and beat them, and beat them, until when he says he’s no longer going.
Story by Tahiru Abdul-Washiru/Spear fm
Damongo: If You Could Not Provide A 12-Hour Economy, How Can You Provide A 24-Hour Economy – Abu Jinapor To NDC
The Member of Parliament for Damongo Constituency Hon. Samuel Abdulai Jinapor has challenged the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) for promising Ghanaians in their recent campaign message that they will run the country with a 24-hour economy if voted to power.
Speaking in Damongo of the Savannah region on Saturday February 17, 2024 during his acclimation and confirmation as the 2024 parliamentary candidate for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) for Damongo, Jinapor said the NDC in four years subjected the country to erratic power (Dumso) making it difficult businesses to operate during the day.
“When they were in government, in the day tailors could not work, in the day there was no economy for welders, in the day there was no economy for carpenters, in the day there was no economy for mechanics, in the day there was no economy for thousands and hundreds and millions of Ghanaians. In the day, not even in the night, they couldn’t supply power, they couldn’t supply electricity”, Jinapor said.
Some few month ago as campaign hits up towards the December general elections. the Flagbearer and the 2024 presidential candidate for the opposition NDC, His Excellency John Dramani Mahama told Ghanaians that he will run the country with a 24-hour economy to ease the economic burden on Ghanaians if he is voted the president in the 2024 general elections.
This brought about controversies from their opponents, the ruling New Patriotic Party.
The challenge of power supply at the time according to the Damongo lawmaker, compelled many small scale businesses and enterprises to close down.
“Today this same people are now turning round to come and tell us that they will give us 24-hour economy. Even a day economy, even 12-hour economy you could not provide to Ghanaians when you were in government, how are you going to provide 24-hour economy.
Jinapor further however indicated that the contemporary economic preposition is the fourth revolution with the industrial revolution of the 18th Century, adding that other economic revolutions of the world today such as Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Digitization and Digitalization which is being practiced in some few countries including South Korea, Norway among others.
The man of action as he is well known by many, urged the people of the Savannah region to support him as the parliamentary candidate and Dr Bawumia as the presidential candidate to get to the next chapter that’s the Fourth Revolution of digitization in the the December elections to realize the digitization vision and to unleash prosperity to the Ghanaian people.
Story by Tahiru Abdul-Washiru/Spear FM
Abu Jinapor Acclaimed as Damongo Constituency NPP Parliamentary Candidate.
The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources who is also the incumbent Member of parliament for Damongo constituency Hon Lawyer Abu Jinapor has been acclaimed as the NPP parliamentary candidate for Damongo constituency on Saturday 17th February, 2024.
The acclamation process was led by the West Gonja Municipal EC boss Mr. Essuman Barnes Solomon at the Damongo ultramodern community center.
In his speech after he has been acclaimed, the NPP parliamentary candidate for Damongo Constituency Hon. Lawyer Samuel Abu Jinapor expressed his profound gratitude to the Savannah Regional, Constituency, Electoral, and Polling Station Executives of the NPP for the confidence reposed in him.
He also appreciated the support of the Party’s council of elders and patrons, his colleague MPs, the NPP National Executives, the Upper West Regional Executives, the Greater Accra Regional Executives, and others who came to support him during the acclamation.
Hon. Abu Jinapor said on 28 September 2019, the NPP in the Damongo Constituency did him one of the greatest honors by acclaiming him unopposed as the party’s parliamentary candidate in the Damongo constituency for the 2020 general elections and through that, the Damongo seat was snatched from the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).
Hon. Abu Jinapor assured that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) will win significant parliamentary seats in the Savannah Region.
The MP further said in all humility and modesty he has served, a portfolio he held for the past three (3) years with distinction, integrity, and, dedication following the momentous victory, the president of the Republic HE Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo appointed him as the minister for Lands and Natural Resources and his service has been recognized domestically and internationally, therefore, he will do all he can when given four more years and that his eight years tenure will expand programmes and interventions in five key areas; education and healthcare, agriculture, infrastructure development, women empowerment, and job creation, particularly with the Damongo local economy as the Damongo water project is already signed and awarded to a contractor to come to the site to start work
” I accept your nomination to be the candidate of the great NPP for the Damongo constituency in the 2024 General Elections. I am truly honored and humble”. He said.
The NPP National General Secretary, Hon. Justin Frimpong Koduah who was the special guest of honour in his remarks mentioned that the ceremony was beyond acclamation but a launch of the party’s campaign in the Damongo constituency and that he is confident Hon. Lawyer Samuel Abu Jinapor will retain the Damongo seat as MP because he is respectful, humble and supportive.
The NPP chief scribe added that the NPP does not encourage the imposition of candidates on the constituents and so if one is nominated to fit such a position it communicates how dedicated he is to his people.
The General Secretary told members of the NPP party to be united, work hard together, and forgive one another as a means to have ways for the success and victory of the party come the 2024 General Elections.
“The election is for us to lose but not for the NDC to win. Bawumia is organized”. He cited
The Savannah Regional Minister, Hon. Saeed Muhazu Jibril congratulated his brother, the MP for the Damongo constituency, Hon. Lawyer Samuel Abu Jinapor on his acclamation to re-contest for the Member of Parliament for the Damongo constituency seat of which retaining it will not cause a sweat.
The Hon. Minister has thrown jabs as he said there is no contest for the Damongo constituency seat, ranking the incumbent MP 4.5 stars which proclaimed him the winner already.
He urged the opposition party candidate to use his insufficient resources on other issues rather than lose in the end
The Savannah Regional Minister said the vote margin in the Damongo constituency would rise from 2,300 votes in 2020 to 7,000 and above votes in 2024 because the NDC candidate who was missing after the 2020 general elections can not use only six months to do a campaign and win over Hon. Abu Jinapor who used three years to campaign.
Hon Saeed Muhazu Jibril therefore urged party members to continue to work in peace and unity for victory is assured for the NPP in the 2024 General Elections.
Story Filed by: Musah Abdul Fatawu – Spear FM
I Need Peace Between The Gonja and Manpurugu Kingdoms Over Lukula Land Clash – Yagbonwura
The King and Overlord of the Gonja Kingdom who is also the president of the Savannah Regional House of Chiefs, Jira Yagbonwura Bii-Kunuto Jewu Soale I in a speech read by the registrar of the Savannah Regional House of Chiefs Mr. Abutu Kapori solicits peaceful coexistence between Gonjas and Manpurusis to curb misplaced settlement and lost of properties and lives.
The Overlord said this during a courtesy call on him by the Minister for Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Hon. Stephen Asamoah Boateng at his palace on the 16th of February 2024.
The Yagbonwura said he and his brother Nayiri of Mamprugu needs peace at Lukula in the North Gonja District-Daboya before the sporadic and chieftaincy attacks will not only stir the peace of the area and uncontrollable destruction but is a likely breeding ground for violence extremism and a vulnerable for all manner of insecurity.
HRM Yagbonwura Bii-Kunuto therefore called for government machinery intervention for effective collaboration with key stakeholders to find lasting solutions to the Lukula conflict between Gonja and Mamprugu.
The Yagbonwura seized the opportunity to extend a special request to the Minister for Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs for the creation of additional traditional councils to be created in the Savannah region and that the creation of the councils will enhance governance and administrative work and effective decentralization of the Chieftaincy institutions in the Savanah region.
The Yagbonwura commended the Minister for Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs for initiating the review process of the Chieftaincy Act 2008, Act 759, and that the initiative is in the right direction because the Act lives to serve humanity on the principle of law, tradition, and sanity of which the Chieftaincy institution will support you in your boundless leadership to achieve your purpose of a minister for that sector.
In a reminder, the Yagbonwura told the minister the biggest legacy of his time is the construction of the Savannah Regional House of Chief office complex and that the Regional House has held meetings under trees and at borrowed premises of which as a president of the House he (Yagbongwura) is making a passionate appeal and a clarion call for pragmatic steps to be taken in the construction of the Office Complex
He said many of the conflict challenges between the kingdoms is the matter of clear boundary issues and the predicaments of the Jantong traditional area, the Bavim Lana of Dagbon is trespassing on his boundaries to the Jantong Dakpemyili of the Gonja and this is also a potential conflict issue which needs immediate corrective action.
The Yagbonwura expressed his sincere gratitude to Hon. Stephen Asamoah Boateng for calling on the chiefs of the Savannah region as part of his working visit, and the Minister for lands and natural resources and MP for the Damongo Constituency – Lawyer Samuel Abu Jinapor.
In his speech, the Minister for Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Hon Stephen Asamoah Boateng said he has come to acknowledge the role the Yagbon plays in and beyond his Kingdom by way of collaborating with other chiefs in settling disputes and indeed he (Hon. Minister) remember instances where he brought issues before the Yagbonwura and he addressed them.
Hon. Stephen expressed his sadness over the Lukula conflict banter in the North Gonja District between the Mumprusis and the Gonjas and said even though the conflict not permanently solved but temporal intervention has been put in place to bring a lasting solution to tha matter.
The Minister for Chieftaincy added that it is very critical to uphold the dignity and give chiefs extra responsibilities in the law and that is the reason they are putting together the amendment of the Chieftaincy Act and the power of the chief to call other chiefs and any person residing in the area to help solve conflicts.
In his response to the Yagbonwura’s reminder of the construction of the Savannah Regional House of Chiefs office complex the minister said the money for the construction has been released by the ministry of finance and the contract has been awarded and so very soon the constructor will come to the site.
The Savannah regional minister, Hon. Saeed Muhazu Jibril told the media and the youth to stop reporting on issues about the Gonja kingdom that will retard development and that the land territory for the kingdom serves several purposes and there is a need for stakeholders to protect and conserve it.
In attendance was the West Gonja Municipal Chief Executive – Hon. Musah Karim Kusubari, the Gonja Kingdom Paramount chiefs, Queen mothers, and others.
Story By: Musah Abdul Fatawu Carozy
Chairman Kalamonia Residence Fire Outbreak: Savannah Press Core Paid A Courtesy Call In Tamale.
The Savannah Regional Press Core has paid a courtesy call on the Savannah region New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) chairman, Alhaji Iddrisu Sulemana Alias Professor Emeritus Kalamonia at his residence in Tamale in the Northern Region.
The visit of the Journalists working within Savannah region which was led by their chairman, Mr. Isaac Nongya was to sympathize with the NPP chairman and to console him for the lost of his properties worth millions of Ghana Cedis to fire that gutted his Tamale 15 bedroom house and completely destroyed all his belongings.
The sad incident happened on last Sunday February 11, 2024 at about 3pm to 4pm in the evening when the chairman was away.
Speaking during the visit on Wednesday February 14, 2024 in Tamale, the chairman of the Savannah Press Core, Mr. Isaac Nongya said the call among other reasons is to show that the Journalists in the Savannah region have him at heart and will continue to offer the needed support to him as Journalists.
“We are here to also see what has happened and to tell you that all is not lost. God is in control and for you to also know that your friends from the Savannah region also have you in mind”, Mr. Nongya added.
The Savannah Regional chairman, Alhaji Iddrisu Sulemana on his part thanked the media team for reaching out to him in this difficult times.
“This one is a test and for me i know it’s not from anybody but from the almighty Allah”, Alhaji Iddrisu said.
He added that once it was written in the books by Allah to happen, he has nothing to say about it and nothing to blame on.
A person with such a strong heart, Alhaji Iddrisu rather praises God for what happened.
“By his grace i thank him and will continue to thank him.
The Regional chairman who is known to be loved by many people, also revealed that apart from family relatives who were occupying the house before the sad incident including his old lady, he has under his care some orphans that he looks after them.
Meanwhile no one was injured during the fire outbreak and he is currently living peacefully in one of his Tamale houses that was built to house brilliant but needy students with his family.
A formal report from the Ghana National Fire Service is yet to be issued, but it is also suggesting that the fire might have caused by a power fluctuation.
Story by Tahiru Abdul-Washiru/Spear fm.
S/R: North East Gonja District Assembly Ushered In 12 Assembly Members
The North East Gonja District Assembly on Monday February 12, 2024 inaugurated 12 Assembly members after a successful elections of the district Assembly, Presiding and Unit Committee members December last year.
The ceremony was also the Second Assembly meeting of the North East Gonja District Assembly.
The district chief executive for North East Gonja Hon. Mohammed Musah Tindawu in his welcome address at the confirmation of the newly elected Assembly members, expressed worry about the inadequacy of the International Generated Funds (IDF) of the baby district, adding that as newly elected Assembly members they must come out with more realistic innovative strategies in collaboration with the management of the district Assembly to be able to mobilize adequate revenue to complete the efforts of the central government.
“It’s our duty to also ensure that funds provided by the central government and the ones generated internally are well managed. The success of North East Gonja District Assembly will largely depend on the level of operation between Assembly members and the district chief executive as well as other management staff in the discharge of your functions as honerable Assembly members”, Tindawu stated.
The DCE also indicated that to work successful to bring development to their people, they must be a leader to lead them and that will be someone to lead them and is presiding member who can lead and unite the house especially in difficult tasks.
He used the occasion to congratulate all elected members and assured them of his support as the DCE to drive the developmental agenda of the people.
The president representative at the inaugural ceremony who is also the deputy minister for energy, Andrew Egyapa Mercer said the occasion marks yet another milestone towards deepening decentralization as in article 35 C6 of the 1992 constitution which enjoins the state to promote decentralization and popular participation in governance by forming all positlble opportunities for citizenry to participate in decision making at all levels for government.
Mr. Agapa said the leadership challenges at the district level are enonymouse and complex, therefore members of the Assembly are mandated to maintain close contact with the electoral area, consult the people on the issues to be discussed in the district Assembly, collate their views and opinions and also take part in communal development activities.
He also urged members to be guided by the laws to avoid unneeded conflict with their district chief executive, and religious leaders.
The confirmation of the new Assembly members was coupled with the election of the Presiding member.
Yahaya Mohammed Shani and Abdulai Fuseini contested for the presiding member position and Yahaya Mohammed Shani at the close of polls gained 11 votes out of a total of 17 votes representing 64.7% while Abdulai Fuseini had only 5 votes, representing 29.4%.
Yahaya Mohammed Shani was declared the presiding member for North East Gonja District Assembly to lead the house.
Total of 17 votes cast include 6 members from each party, the district chief executive and 4 appointees while one vote was rejected.
In his address the presiding member, Yahaya Mohammed Shani, noted that there is a bigger tasks ahead of them and all must join hands and collectively they will manage the affairs of the house.
They were sworn into office by Lawyer Isaac Ankah, Assistant state Arthony. Office of the Arthony General, ministry of Justice.
Story by Tahiru Abdul-Washiru/Spear fm
Savannah Regional Minister Visit Chairman Kalamonia to Sympathize With Him For His Lost Properties.
The Savannah Regional minister, Hon. Saeed Muhazu Jibril has visited the Savannah Regional chairman for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Alhaji Iddrisu Sulemana popularly known as Professor Kalamonia at his private residence at Gumani in Tamale of the Northern Region to sympathize with him following the Sunday fire outbreak that guttered and destroyed all his properties.
Alhaji Kalamonia’s 15 bedroom house in Gumani, a suburb of Tamale in the Northern Region, got burnt by fire on Sunday February 11, 2024 and destroyed all his belongings and other family relatives who are under his care.
Properties including Motor bikes, mattresses, Television sets, clothes, among other valuable items were razed down by the fire.
Speaking to Spear fm during his visit to the affected residence, Hon. Muhazu described the incident as very devastating and urged the hardworking chairman to be strong especially during this trying times.
“What can i say, it’s the will of God all that I want to say is to encourage my regional chairman and that he has to be strong in this trying times. These are just trying times for every human being so God has a way of testing the faith of people”, He added.
The minister further appealed to all philanthropists and all well wishes to come to the aid of the Regional chairman.
“We have to find a way of helping him to bring him up again because i don’t think this house can be renovated again, looking at how the walls are all weak. It means it now calls for a complete new building.
He also revealed that as a matter of urgency, he took time out of his busy schedule just to come and see the level of damage for himself, adding that the party executives in the Savannah region are yet to meet to come out with ways to support their chairman.
Meanwhile the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) have since commenced investigation into the cause of the fire.
Story by Tahiru Abdul-Washiru/Spear fm.
The NDC’s Unmatched Records on Rural Electrification in the Damongo Constituency
By Bakari Shaibu
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) is a known social Democratic Party by deeds and not just by slogan. The party’s quest to investing in very key economic sectors that impact the lives of rural folks especially the poor has lived with it since its inception in 1992.
Beggining with the Rawlings regime in 1987 where the National Electrification Scheme (NES) was launched in 1987 to extend electricity to every nook and cranny of the country by the year 2020. As part of this programme, the Northern part of Ghana which lacked industries and therefore not considered worthy for extension of electricity by successive governments was considered by Rawlings and therefore captured in its first program with major District Capitals in Northern Ghana setting connected to the National Grid.
Due to the above intervention, Damongo, the then District Capital of the West Gonja District got connected in 1998/99. At the time, aside Damongo township, Laribanga, Mole and Daboya, all other communities were never connected.
For the 8 years of the first NPP government (2001 to 2008) not even a single community was connected to the national grid. The second coming of the NDC government in 2009 saw yet another vigorous and deliberate rural electrification programme which saw many communities connected to the national grid in three different phases.
1. Phase one (1), the following communities were connected:
1. Busunu
2. Nabori
3. Achubunyor
2. Phase two (2), the following communities were connected by the NDC government led by John Mahama:
1. Tailorpe
2. Bodukura
3. Mempeasem
4. Jonokponto
5. Bonyanto
6. Yipala
7. Grupe
3. Phase three (3) which was started with all procurements done with some communities wired and other poles sent before the NDC lost power include:
1. Kojokura
2. Sumpini
3. Bidima
4. Langantire
5. Soalepe
6. Murugu
7. Mognori
8. Kananto
9. Kabampe
10. Sor No. 1, 2 and 3
11. Settlement
12. Broto
In effect, the NDC governments (1 and 2) are responsible for the connection of all the communities within the Damongo Constituency with the NPP adding nothing. Even when the NDC left the third phase in their care which was supposed to 2019, they couldn’t work with the template; they deliberately shifted the due date so that it will appear that it is the NPP that connected the lights.
By this article, I will challenge the NPP to show us any document to the effect that their government has signed and executed any rural electrification project. All rural electrification projects were signed and executed by the NDC before leaving office.
I attached herewith the last project the NDC signed which covered almost all the communities under Phase 3 before leaving office. If the NPP has any documentation to the contrary, I challenge them to bring their evidence. They only came to switch lights on without having anything to do with how the funding was sourced and all the major works done before the execution.
It is on record that the NDC brought lights to the Damongo; the NDC fixed the Fufulso-Damongo-Sawla Road and Insha Allah, the NDC will come back in 2025 to fix the Damongo water project.
West Gonja Municipal: 9th Assembly Inaugurated; Hon. Mumuni Mohammed confirmed as Presiding Member
The West Gonja Municipal Assembly held an inaugural of the 9th assembly and the confirmation of the presiding Member of the assembly. The ceremony was held at the Damongo ultra-modern community center on 12 February 2024.
Present at the inauguration was the Savannah regional minister Hon. Saeed Muhazu Jibril, the West Gonja Municipal Chief Executive Hon. Karim Musah Kusubari, Lawyer Virginia Funga from the office of the athony general, Municipal Electoral Commission officials, Chiefs and other invited guests.
The West Gonja Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Hon. Karim Musah Kusubari in a welcome address said the 8th assembly has ended and it is fortunate to get a new assembly constituted and ready to serve the people of the West Gonja Municipality.
According to the MCE, the period after the elections of the assembly members across the country in December 2023, management of the West Gonja Municipal Assembly has been holding forth to ensure that the assembly continues to deliver its mandate to see to the reconstitution of the assembly which will help champion the development agenda for the people.
Hon. Karim Kusubari made it clear that the General Assembly is non-partisan and has demonstrated in the ended assembly elections in its approach to issues of concern to the Municipality as a whole, therefore, a high sense of unity and maturity was exhibited and it’s important to accept decisions of the house as a collective responsibility, try as much as possible to desist from the temptation of disassociating oneself from some decision of the house in a bit to cheap popularity among the general populace.
He further mentioned peace and security referring to the Damongo chieftains dispute, insufficient internally generated funds, building without permits affecting settlement plans, increasing rate of substance abuse among the youth, trading on the pedestrian walkway in Damongo and Busunu, and indiscriminate waste disposal as some of the challenges that need the urgent attention of the Hon. Assembly Members which need to be prioritized in the subsequent discussions to help shape the development in the Municipality.
The MCE congratulated the Hon. Members of the 9th Assembly and those who were part of the 8th Assembly but not inclusive.
During the inaugural ceremony, the Savannah Regional Minister, Hon. Saeed Muhazu Jibril in a keynote address said in accordance with the 1992 constitution, the government appointed 30 percent of the Assembly Members who together with those elected, as well as the member(s) of Parliament and District Chief Executive constitute the membership of the assembly, therefore, Assembly Members have the mandate to deliberate, plan, mobilize resources, make decisions including by-laws to ensure the transformation of the District towards the development of Ghana.
The Hon. Minister added that the inaugural ceremony marks an important milestone towards deepening decentralization as stipulated in Article 35 Clause 6(d) of the 1992 constitution and the Article encourages the state to promote decentralization and popular participation in governance by affording all possible opportunities to the citizenry to participate in decision making at all levels of government.
The Minister also said the decentralization reforms that started in 1988 with only one hundred and ten (110) Districts Assemblies have made progress on several fronts and that the inauguration of 259 district assemblies out of a total of 261with the exclusion of Nkoranza South Municipal and Nkoranza North District Assemblies whose tenure is yet to end.
Furthermore, the minister said it is a privilege for someone to be elected or appointed to serve residents of his/her locality and therefore entreated the Hon. Assembly members to build good working relationships with their colleagues, the Hon. District Chief Executive, Member(s) of Parliament and Staff of the District Assembly one represents.
He continued by urging assembly members to establish strong partnerships and collaborate with the local structures particularly, the urban, town, zonal, and area councils, the unit committees, and traditional authorities as well as other identifiable groups to facilitate the work of the District Assembly.
The Hon. Minister in addition said the District Assembly is being inaugurated at a time when efforts are made by the Government through the Ministry of Local Government, Decentralization and Rural Development (MLGDRD) to improve on the mobilization of the Internally Generated Funds(IGFs) of the MMDAs and the MLGDRD has formulated several sector policies that contribute towards the national agenda which include; National Decentralization Policy and Strategy, National Urban Policy and Action Plan, Local Economic Development Policy and Action Plan, and National Rural Development Policy.
Finally, the Hon. Minister admonished the Hon. Assembly members to exhibit selflessness and devotion to duty as required and expected by their people.
The inauguration of the West Gonja Municipal Assembly merged with the election and confirmation of the Presiding Member. Before the election, the District Election Officer for the West Gonja Municipal, Mr. Essuman Barnes Solomon said the Electoral Commission is mandated to conduct the election of the Presiding Member of which per the modalities people were asked to take nominations forms and file to contest for the presiding Membership position but at the end and close of nominations, it was only Hon. Mumuni Mohammed who filed, therefore, instead of voting between or among interested members, it has reduced the burden to just confirming him by a yes or no vote.
He added that at the end of the yes or no confirmation vote with 18 elected and appointed assembly members, Hon. Mumuni Mohammed got 100 percent confirmation.
Various Sub-committees including social services sub-committee, justice, and security sub-committee, development planning sub-committee, works sub-committee, finance and administration sub-committee, agriculture sub-committee, micro, and small-scale enterprise sub-committee, and environmental sub-committee were formed and chairpersons nominated.
The confirmed Presiding Member of the 9th Assembly of the West Gonja Municipal Assembly, Hon. Mumuni Mohammed in his confirmation remarks expressed heartfelt gratitude for being re-elected as the Presiding Member of the West Gonja Municipal.
According to him, it is an honor to be re-elected and that there is no development that can take place without the assembly and the assembly members are those who will pass the resolutions, plans, and activities of programs for the assembly to be able to implement and as the leader of the house, he wants to open a smooth way so that there will be no hindrances.
He mentioned ways and means to build intercity relations by contacting specialists in Accra and other parts of Ghana to execute that mandate as one of his cardinal points of reasoning for taking up the mantle of position.
Hon. Assembly members were sworn in to office of the 9th Assembly for the West Gonja Municipal Assembly by Lawyer Virginia Funga from the office of the athony general, Tamale.
