Netizens and Crop farmers Savannah Region are praising Buipewura Abdulai Jinapor II, paramount chief of Buipe and vice president of the National House of Chiefs, for his recent decree to protect crops from cattle. The decree gives farmers the authority to gun down any cattle found on their farms, aiming to protect their crops from destruction by Fulani herdsmen.

The Savannah Region is predominantly inhabited by crop farmers, who have long faced challenges from Fulani herdsmen allowing their cattle to graze on farms, causing significant damage. Opinion leaders, residents, and civil society organizations have expressed concerns about the herdsmen’s attitude and the long-term effects on farmers in the region.

However, Buipewura Jinapor’s decree has brought relief to the farmers, who have hailed him as “a bold chief.” In a phone-in segment of Spear FM Tuesday 25th February 2025 edition of “This isSavannah Super Morning Show”, farmers and serial callers across Savannah Region including Damongo, Buipe and Mpha expressed their gratitude, saying, “May Buipewura Jinapor live long. He has wiped our tears, and if we had two of his kind, herdsman issues would be a thing of the past in the Savannah Region.”

The serial callers and farmers also highlighted the devastating impact of Fulani cattle on their farms, stating that many farmers have stopped farming due to the destruction caused by the cattle. With Buipewura Jinapor’s decree, farmers are hopeful that their crops will be protected, and they can continue farming without fear of destruction.

Source: Sofo Mustapha Democracy (Spear Fm Central Gonja District Correspondent)

In a bold move to address the long-standing conflict between herdsmen and crop farmers, Buipewura Jinapor II, Vice President of the National House of Chiefs and President of the Buipe Traditional Council, has decreed that farmers within the Buipe Traditional Area can shoot and kill any cattle that enter their farms to destroy their crops.

The decree, announced during a palace session with sub-chiefs and subjects, aims to protect farmers’ investments and livelihoods. Buipewura Jinapor emphasized the pain and frustration of seeing herdsmen allow their cattle to devour entire farms, despite farmers’ hard work and resources invested.

To further address the issue, Buipewura Jinapor is considering another decree to prohibit herdsmen from grazing cattle at night, when most crop destruction occurs. He also plans to meet with cattle owners and herdsmen to find a peaceful solution to the conflict.

In addition, Buipewura Jinapor urged crop farmers to take proactive measures to protect their farms, such as sleeping on their farms periodically to prevent cattle from destroying their crops.

The decree comes amidst growing concerns about the herdsmen and crop farmers conflict in the Savannah Region, with numerous complaints filed at the palaces over cattle destroying farms.

A 40-year-old farmer, Adam Abdul Jalilu, is fighting for his life at the St. Anne’s Catholic hospital in Damongo after being slashed on the neck with a cutlass by a Fulani herdsman.

The incident occurred on Thursday afternoon 20th February, 2025 in Gbantalikura, a community in the Busunu Traditional Area of West Gonja.

According to Jalilu’s elder brother, the Fulani herdsman had brought his cattle into Jalilu’s farm and was feeding them with Jalilu’s heap of yams.

When Jalilu attempted to apprehend the herdsman, he was overpowered and attacked with a cutlass. The herdsman then fled the scene with his cattle, leaving Jalilu with severe injuries.

(Cue Audio of Abdul Jalilu Elder Brother explaining the incident to Spear FM)

The incident was reported to the chief of the community, Gbantalikurawura Karim, who confirmed the incident but stated that the Fulani herdsman is yet to be identified. The chief also reported that he has informed the Busunuwura about the incident.

(Cue Audio of Gbantalikurawura explaining the incident to Spear FM on a phone call)

As of Friday 21st February 2025, the matter had not been reported to the police. The condition of Abdul Jalilu remains critical, and the community is calling for justice to be served.

The incident highlights the ongoing tensions between farmers and Fulani herdsmen in the region, and the need for urgent action to address these conflicts and ensure the safety of all community members.

A dramatic incident unfolded in Damongo on Friday, 21st February 2025, when a young man, affectionately known as Apoya, hijacked a Toyota Hilux pick-up with registration number GS-7323-13 belonging to GLICO Insurance Company. The suspect, who is reportedly not mentally stable, was later apprehended by the police at the Jankura barrier along the Tamale road.

According to eyewitnesses, the incident occurred at around 10:30 am when sales personnel from GLICO Insurance Company arrived at the Jafo Primary School to meet with clients.

The sales team didn’t notice that the vehiclewas taken. It was only when the driver who also came out to asked where the vehicle was that they realized it was missing and sounded the alarm.

The eyewitnesses described the scene as chaotic, with the sales team scrambling to report the incident to the Damongo Municipal Police Station. A search party was quickly dispatched, and Apoya was eventually tracked down to the Jankura police barrier, where he was apprehended.

The stolen vehicle was recovered and brought back to the Damongo Municipal Police Station, where Apoya is currently being held for questioning. Investigations into the incident are ongoing, with police officials working to determine the circumstances surrounding the hijacking.

The Ghana Integrity Initiative (GII), a non-governmental organization dedicated to promoting good governance and fighting corruption, has taken a significant step towards addressing climate change challenges in the West Gonja Municipality of the Savannah Region. As part of its ongoing project, “Strengthening Climate Governance through Social Accountability and Citizen’s Oversight in Local Climate Initiatives,” the GII has formed a Local Climate Committee (LCC) to drive climate action at the community level.

The two-day program, which took place at the Damongo Community Center on February 17-18, 2025, brought together stakeholders from the West Gonja Municipality to establish the LCC. The committee will comprise stakeholders, including traditional authorities, civil society, and local government representatives, who will work together to identify climate-related challenges and develop solutions.

According to Project Coordinator Michael Okai, the formation of the LCC is a crucial step towards addressing the impacts of climate change in the West Gonja Municipality. He emphasized the importance of a collaborative effort in combating climate change, stating that the project’s success relies on the active participation and engagement of all stakeholders.

The LCC will serve as a platform for citizens to engage with policymakers and decision-makers, ensuring that climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts are transparent, accountable, and responsive to the needs of local communities. By working together, the LCC aims to develop effective strategies to mitigate the impacts of climate change and ensure a sustainable future for generations to come.

The Ghana Integrity Initiative’s project is supported by the Extractive Industry and Climate Change Governance (EICCG) Fund through the Africa Centre for Energy Policy (ACEP). The project seeks to strengthen climate governance transparency and citizen engagement, promoting a collaborative approach to addressing the challenges of climate change in Ghana.

S/R: Tingawura Wins Council of State Membership, Secures 11 Out of 14 Votes.

Tingawura Alhaji Seidu Sampson Abudu has been elected as the Savannah Region’s representative for the Council of State membership, securing an overwhelming landslide victory with 11 out of 14 votes. This impressive win has solidified his position as the region’s representative on the Council of State.

The election, which was keenly contested by four candidates, took place at the Savannah Regional Coordinating Council conference hall. The electoral college consisted of 14 delegates, comprising 2 representatives from each of the 7 Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) in the Savannah Region.

The election was supervised by Mr. David Acheampong, the Deputy Regional Director of the Electoral Commission, who served as the Returning Officer. The transparency and fairness of the electoral process were ensured by the presence of observers and the strict adherence to the electoral guidelines.

The results of the election, as declared by the Returning Officer, are as follows:

1. Tingawura Alhaji Seidu Sampson Abudu: 11 votes
2. Tolodompewura Abdallah Ahmed (Chief Monor): 0 votes
3. Bingorwura Samuel Adam Saibu: 2 votes
4. Kongwura Adam Seidu Jinkurge: 1 vote

In his victory speech, Tingawura Alhaji Seidu Sampson Abudu expressed his profound gratitude to the people of the Savannah Region and the delegates for entrusting him with the responsibility of representing the region on the Council of State. He assured them of his commitment to delivering his best efforts and working tirelessly to promote the interests of the region.

Tingawura Abudu also emphasized the importance of unity and cooperation, stating that his victory was not just a personal achievement but a collective win for the region. He pledged to involve his fellow contestants in his new role, leveraging their expertise and experience to ensure that the region’s interests are effectively represented on the Council of State.

The election of Tingawura Alhaji Seidu Sampson Abudu as the Savannah Region’s representative on the Council of State has been widely welcomed by stakeholders and residents of the region. As he prepares to assume his new responsibilities, the people of the Savannah Region look forward to his wealth of experience, leadership skills, and commitment to public service to contribute to the development and growth of the region.