Youth Of Damongo Embarks On Civil Action-Impounce On Vehicle;Takes Revenue For Assembly;Confirms 3 Weeks Extension On Ban
By ANANPANSAH,B ABRAHAM (AB)
Some concerned youth of Damongo in the West Gonja District of the Northern Region of Ghana,today,2nd June,2017,embarked on a civil action along the Canteen (Catholic) Guess House T-Junction this morning.A vehicle carrying charcoal in commercial quantity with registration number GC 1550-09 was impounded by the youth in a chivalrous display of youthful duty.Despite several official receipts shown by the driver of the vehicle from Yagbonwura Palace,Gonja Traditional Council and the Kuntokure & Nkparipe Gates covering his right to move,the unfazed youth insisted the vehicle will not leave the district under their watch.
The youth disclosed they were acting on the authority of a letter from the king and president of Gonja Traditional Council banning commercial charcoal burning and rosewood harvesting from the Gonja Traditional Area,and nothing more.The action they said was an attempt to guide and guard the authority and words of the overlord as contained in the said letter from being flagrantly flouted with impunity.
The youth insisted the long vehicle be moved to the police station and later to the assembly for the law to take its full cause as earlier agreed upon by the Traditional Council and the Assembly.
The king and president of Gonja Traditional Council,Yagbonwura Tutumba Boresa1,in a letter dated,24th April,2017,banned the aforementioned activities from the Gonja Traditional Area effective 23rd May,2017.A grace period Which initially was set from 24th of April,2017,to 23rd of May,2017,has elapsed.But to the astonishment of the youth,has been extended in a DISEC meeting the youth were told.This was disclosed as things became critical.The new grace period as disclosed by the registrar of the Gonja Traditional Council,Mr.Kapori in a phone interview after the youth insisted the vehicle will not move,starts from 1st June,2017,and ends on 21st June,2017.A decision which according to him was arrived at in a DISEC meeting attended by all stakeholders:the Yagbonwura and his sub chief's,the DCE,security apparatus inter alia with the exception of the youth.The youth however,wondered why the extension was not made public just like the ban and initial grace period.But it is now official-the ban has been extended by three weeks.
This notwithstanding,the youth,however,insisted the necessary things be done.They insisted the assembly must take its quota of revenue before the vehicle is allowed to move out of the district to avoid revenue evasion after realising the assembly had not issued a receipt covering the content of the vehicle.A contrary explanation was given but rejected by the youth who stood their grounds.It became apparent:the extension was from the "big men" and official.And there was little to be done at that point than to take what is due the assembly for them.Upon some friendly and somewhat heated exchanges between the youth,and stakeholders who arrived at the scene,a cash amount of Ghc200 was given to the youth.The amount according to the givers,was "Cola to the youth for water and fuel".The youth initially rejected the money and the tag that followed same.They insisted their interest was not bent on money but the future of the district.They however,had no choice than to accept the money under a clear condition that it was taken not for the "so-called" "Cola", but as revenue for the Assembly.The money has since been paid to the assembly and receipt taken after a short meeting with the DCE and the district finance officer.(See attachment in blog for receipt of the payment received by the assembly).
The youth were highly commended for their action by the assembly.
The youth were advised by one of the sub chief's not to take any action,but to exercise a little patience for the June 21, grace period to elapse.They were encouraged and in fact,authorised in the circumstance,to get their own receipt and start mobilising revenue to support community and youth development during the twenty-one (21) days grace period.It was a hard decision to take.But upon deliberation,the youth agreed to the decision realising the authority was from above.
It was indeed,a difficult decision but had to be taken,since that is how the system has come to stay.
The youth receipt has since been ordered in the name of Damongo Youth Parliament(DYP).Hon.Yakubu Ali of Alansankura Electoral Area and Amankwa Gbeadese of Damongo Fire Service have been dedicated for the purpose of receiving revenue on behalf of the youth . At least,we would add to the financial burden of those involved in the business.The more revenue burden they suffer, the more unprofitable and unattractive the business becomes and that could trigger a halt of the activities.
Any action to the contrary or to the disadvantage of the youth may ignite their wrath.
The next line of action of the youth will be taken after the 21 days ultimatum or if deem necessary within the period under consideration.
Story filed by ANANPANSAH, B ABRAHAM (AB)
(Freelance Journalist/Teacher/Student/Youth Advocate)
0241129910/0200704844
