Armed military men brutalize civilian

Armed military men brutalize civilian

Armed military men have inflicted severe wounds on a civilian in Damongo in the West Gonja District of Northern Ghana.

The incident occurred around the Catholic Guest House junction a few kilometres away from Damongo township between the hours of 1:00pm-3:00pmTuesday afternoon.
This was after the victim,Jyimah Ibrahim popularly known as Kashinteng,a well known businessman and wielding engineer in the district had stopped by on a drive to ease himself.

The military men numbering three(3) where believed to be traveling from Tamale to Wa when they spotted the victim.
Dressed in their military uniforms with a military van,they drove by and stopped to interrogate him.

Upon stopping,they asked who the owner of the packed car was and the victim owned up.They further queried whether that was the proper way of packing....And before the victim could say jack,one of the military men forced opened the door of his car and found a single barrel and a pistol therein.He yelled for the attention of his colleagues that the victim was carrying a weapon.

One of the military men immediately corked his gun and ordered the victim to go on his knees(kneel) to which he obliged.He ordered for a thorough search of his car under the guise that he was a criminal.The car of the victim was ransacked.All his phones were seized.A cash sum of Ghc2,800 was confiscated from the victim.

The victim attempted explaining that he was not a criminal and that the weapons were dully registered.He tried to show them the registration documents to the weapons but the military will have non of that.
He was hit severally on the head with a wheel spanner until blood started oozing.

They pressed on the victim to accept that he was a criminal to which he insisted he was not one.They ask him to lie flat on the ground.He was handcuffed.

The military men then threatened to carry him along to Wa if he doesn't own up or do something.The victim explained that there was a police command in the district and he was willing to submit himself to any kind of investigation.The military declined to refer the victim to the district police command for investigation with the reason that the police are always in bed with criminals.

They drove the victim pass the district and the District Police Command and stopped a few kilometres to a near by community called Laribanga.They ask the victim to "talk like a man" else if the case gets to Wa,it will become a very big case.
They further threatened to take his weapons to which he declined.

They proceeded with the victim until another well known civilian(name withheld) in the district chanced upon them.Upon seeing the local business mogul in that state,he tried intervening but the military insisted they have to carry the victim to Wa.
He confirmed that the victim was a well respected businessman in the district and not a criminal as purported.

The military still failed to see reason.At a point they demanded the Intervening civilian pay a sum of Ghc5,000 before they release him.The intervening civilian after a long thought and upon persistent quest by the military men gave out an undisclosed sum to the military on the blind side of the victim.
The military afterwards took Ghc1,000 from from the Ghc2,800 they initially collected from the victim before setting him free.

The victim was immediately driven to the West Gonja Catholic hospital where he was treated and discharged.

Narrating his ordeal in an interview with Ghanaweb.com,the victim who felt traumatised feared the military were not out to protect the country.He wondered why after taking money they set him free without carrying out any investigation as they initially insisted.He confirmed he has since reported the matter to the West Gonja District Police Command.

When queried as to whether he was able to make up the victims or the number on the military van,the victim disclosed that he was only able identify one of the men who was driving the van as Bissi as written on the tag of his military uniform. He also said that the number on the military van was 69 WA.He prayed justice is served in this matter to serve as a deterrent to others.

When contacted,Chief Inspector Gbeve of the District Police Command confirmed the matter has been brought to their attention and was under investigation.He was unable to disclose further information on the matter since it was still under investigation.

Source:Ananpansah B Abraham//Ghanaweb.com

Kwame Aboagye elected chairman of NPP, Damongo Constituency

Kwame Aboagye elected chairman of NPP, Damongo Constituency

Aboagye Kwame has been elected chairman of the ruling New Patriotic Party(NPP) for the Damongo Constituency.

He obtained a total of 177 votes out of the total votes cast of 305 to beat his close contender,Winifred Mbemah,the incumbent who polled 127 votes. Kumatey Alex had no vote(0).One (1) rejected vote was recorded.

The other positions and the respective votes obtained by the individual candidates as declared by the electoral commission are:

1st VICE CHAIRMAN;

1.Braimah Adam-118.
2. Siakoni Robert Vug-41
3.Issifu Soalehu Denkari-31.
4. Musah Issahaku-113.
1 rejected.

2nd VICE CHAIRMAN;

1. Mbonwura Jimah Awudu-142.
2. Salia Mukaila-59.
3. Mahama Seidu Alex-103.
1 rejected.

SECRETARY;

1. Ayuba Seidu-151.
2.Karim M. Kusubari-153 .
1 rejected.

DEPUTY SECRETARY;

1.Sumani Inusah -162.
2.Iddrisu Laminu-142.
1 rejected.

ORGANIZER;

1.Abu Jaja-156.
2. Mumuni Seidu-30.
3.Zibo Rauf-118.
1 rejected.

YOUTH ORGANIZER;

1.Issahaku Majeed-102.
2. Yakubu Yussif-101.
3.Zakaria Wahab-9.
4. Atta Zack-89.
Rejected 4.

WOMEN ORGANIZER;

1.Helen Azara Natomah-113.
3.Ayi Mahama-107.
3 Afisah Jakpa-83.
2 rejected votes.

TREASURER;

1. Ali Abubakari -157.
2. Alhassan Abdul Mubasir-23.
3. Ansumah Dabor-122.
3 rejected votes.

Sumani Inusah,the deputy secretary elect thanked the delegates for the confidence reposed in him.He assured that they were going to work to secure a permanent constituency office for the party.This he said would be a right step forward in making the party attractive to the grassroot.

Laminu Iddrisu,who also contested for the position of deputy secretary but lost said he was happy because of the little change that had occurred with the chairman and secretary position. Election he said was about choices and not about somebody someone wants.
He was however not happy about the interference in the election by some bigwigs.This he believed affected the chances of most of them.

The election was generally peaceful except for some few disturbances that heralded the process especially at the entrance to the election ground.

The process became confrontational from the start when the youth largely supporters of Nana Kwame were blocked at the entrance from gaining access to the venue to witness the election by the police.The police insisted that without accreditation,no one will be allowed access to the voting grounds and its vicinity.A directive which the youth said was alien and a marked departure from the past insofar as the internal election of the NPP in the constituency was concerned.

They accused the deputy chief of staff, Samuel Abu Jinapor for being behind such a directive and the heavy security presence which they said was meant to scare them.

The aggrieved youth also said they were not comfortable with his presence since be had no direct stake and a voting right in the constituency.
They insisted he must also show his card before they allow him access to the venue...And attempted preventing him from entering but for the
timely intervention of the security.

They believed he should have remained neutral throughout the process instead of taking sides with the incumbent who was also seeking reelection.

What got many people talking after the election was the hooting down of the deputy chief of staff when he had attempted to congratulate Nana Kwame at his residence.The youth who went ballistic,hooted at him until he left the scene.

Source:Ananpansah B Abraham

New Year's Eve:Call For Resolutions Not Revolutions

New Year's Eve:Call For Resolutions Not Revolutions

Here cries the beacon of a New Year,
And nay,here comes a new day;
A new day and God's will to bid thee good bye 2017.

On the Eve at mass,
As the candles glow,
The glory of the Lord blows.

And here beacons the flow and cry of a New Year;
A cry that awakens the call for resolutions not revolutions;
A cry that decree thee holy heavens to crossover with a "build over" to build bridges;
To build bridges in our marriage and family life,
To build bridges in our relationship,friendship and political life,
To build bridges in our financial, economic, social,racial and work life,
To build bridges in our national and community reconstruction and struggle.

For it's grace for our race,
And we are in a raise in the face of 2018;
A grace and raise that blossoms and is wholesome above average.

Oh cry thee,it's a dying year,
And the regrets are the sins and things that stole the happiness from another man;
It's the coming and going of seasons;
And 365 reasons to turn things around this time around.

We are good to set new goals,
And be bold to work on the past blows of life;
Staying down after those blows is an error of grace that will erase our raise.

Oh thy holy glory!
See your children not in gory but deliver us from the sorrows and "sorry's" of life;
Keep us awashed,
When our minds go astray in sinful compromise for the vanities of the world;FORGIVE!

Cry and pray thee for divine grace,
Divine grace for the loved one's and lost one's in 2017,
For thy gave and took but 2018 will see us through;
Not by our might,
For grace abounds in leaps and bounds.

We are champions,
So let's pop champagne;
Not in pain but in God's gain we rain;
Let's stress out the stress,
And dress up the mind off distress for God's greatness again!
Let's look forward, revitalised and break cowards!

The year is long gone,
So let logic reign and let go along with it the pain of unforgiveness;
For the kingdom of God must be established,
And all men must be at peace with ease;
Where toes were stepped on,
I step out and blow the trumpet...
For a new year dawns!

Cry thee with cheers,
I say my dear;
Not a tear or fear of the unknown is here to weigh us down in 2018;
Our minds will blend with the best;
We will stand the test;
As we resolve to dissolve the past and evolve divinely into the present;
I will be here always as your humble servant to say cheers in 2019;
CHEERS to a New Year!

The writer is a PASSIONATE BLOGGER/WRITER,FREELANCE JOURNALIST and a YOUTH ADVOCATE.
He represent a VOICE TO THE MARGINALISED.

Get in touch and let's get connected!

Read more of his works on his blog. (ananpansah-ab.blogspot.com).
Share but don't edit.

©ANANPANSAH,B ABRAHAM(AB)
(Village Writer/Voice of the marginalised)
0241129910/0200704844

Email:aananapansah@yahoo.com/aananapansah@gmail.com
Facebook:1.Ananpansah B Abraham
                     2.Critical Political Thinker
Twitter:@AnanpansahA

Birthday Safari; An Overrun of Joy To Say Thank You!

Birthday Safari; An Overrun of Joy To Say Thank You!
Out of the abundance of joy in the heart of man,I seize this moment to thank the all merciful God for blessing my new age with true loving friends and family...
The gifts withered and whizzed away in a jiffy but the plentitute of calls, messages,intentions, warm and well wishes lingers on to shape my life a lifetime.Yes, words are indeed free but priceless!
Friends and family,you are my new found love.Your unfailing wishes are a keepsake henceforth and epitomize his grace and raise in my life.
Who are my but a mere mortal to say I don't owe you continuous appreciation and God's intervention in our individual situations in life.
Infact, at a point, I felt terrible about not growing any younger but you gave me the strength and hope to fill the void. You rid me of my blues...
My life is a balance sheet.You are the assets.Another chance of life to say thank you to God for the prayers answered.
We have achieved a lot over the years to be grateful to God for.We have been challenged a lot to rise above the challenges.
The future and our generation still demands our utmost best.And with the continuous blessings of life,we will not falter or go to sleep until we impact the world positively.
All thanks for you added the spark to my birthday celebration.
Belated birthday to me.
Still we christen the way, forward!Still we rise!
Shalom!

Let Christmas carols play

Let Christmas carols play
Every hill and mountain lay
For the midnight sky is awakened
Christmas is here
A song to hear
Gold,frankeses;myryy

Unto mother earth a messiah is born
And children of God sing of glorious king adore
Where peace and harmony meet
Love and happiness kiss
Whereupon the delight of the kids
Eating,dining and wining

Hope that was forlorn
Hope is born in Christ
A star shines
Christmas trees sparkles
Hallelujah!A king is born

Behold!The Inner glory
Plenteous of charity
Light of mercy
Let the carols play
And let the world be told;
A king is born
Hallelujah!

Read more of my works on ananpansah-ab.blogspot.com

© ANANPANSAH,B ABRAHAM (AB)
(Village Writer)
0241129910/0200704844

Gonjaland Has Seven Districts,Not Four-GLYA PRO Jab Citifm's Reporter

Gonjaland Has Seven Districts,Not Four-GLYA PRO Jab Citifm's Reporter

The PRO of Gonjaland Youth Association(GLYA),Mr.Mahama Haruna has described as factualy inaccurate report by Citifm's Northern Regional Correspondent, Abdul-Karim Naatogmah on the number of Districts in Gonjaland in the ongoing case being made for the creation of a new region out of the Northern Region.

In the said report,Abdul Karim Naatogmah disclosed that Gonjaland currently has four(4) Districts with a paramancy at Damongo.He made these comments on Citi Eyewitness News whilst conveying the grievances of the chiefs and youth of Eastern Corridor over their exclusion from the ongoing siting of the Justice Steven Brobbey's Commission of inquiry on the creation of new regions.

He said,"Let me begin with by giving you the topography of the Northern Region in terms of the traditional blocks.The Region traditionally is divided into four paramountcies comprising Dagbon, Yagbon (Gonjaland), Nanum (Bimbilla and Wulensi put together) and Mamprusi Moagdori. Gonjaland has 4 Districts thus West Gonja with Damongo as the District capital, East Gonja with Salaga as the District capital and Bole-Bamboi and also Kpandai...".

These comments by the reporter immediately saw the youth of Gonjaland taken him to the cleaners with many accusing him of deliberating attempting to conceal the facts.

But in a sharp rebuttal,the PRO of Gonjaland Youth Association in a statement has said that,even though many are convinced the reporter deliberately intended to mislead the people,he feels it could be a genuine mistake.
According to him,the said report should be taken with a pinch of salt as Gonjaland currently has seven(7) Districts and eight(8) constituencies and not four(4) Districts as reported.

"The fact is Gonjaland in the Northern Region has 7 Districts and 8 Constituencies. Many people from Gonjaland are therefore calling for a presss release or press conference from the Gonjaland Youth Association to correct what the Citi Fm report.
Many have said a first year student of journalism should not make such a mistake not to talk of a seasoned and popular journalist like Abdul- Karim Naatogmah.
Even though many are convinced it is a deliberate attempt by Mr Naatogmah to mislead people, I feel it could be a genuine mistake".The PRO has said.

The PRO has joined the many to call on Abdul-Karim Naatogmah to always research before making pronouncement on the issue of creation of new regions.

Find below the districts and constituencies in Gonjaland as outlined by the PRO of Gonjaland Youth Association:

The Districts and Constituencies in Gonjaland are:
1. Bole (Bole- Bamboi Constitiency)
2. Sawla- Tuna- Kalba (Sawla- Tuna- Kalba constituency)
3. West Gonja (Damongo Constituency)
4. Central Gonja (Yapei-Kusawgu constituency)
5. North Gonja (Daboya Mankarigu Constituency)
6. East Gonja (Salaga South and Salaga North constituencies).
7. Kpandai (Kpandai constituency)
It is noteworthy that the East Gonja District would be elevated to a Municipal status and there are petitions for the division of the Bole,Sawla-Tuna-Kalba,Central Gonja and East Gonja Districts of Gonjaland.

Source:ANANPANSAH,B ABRAHAM (AB)

DIVIDE CENTRAL GONJA DISTRICT AND MAKE KUSAWGU THE DISTRICT CAPITAL

DIVIDE CENTRAL GONJA DISTRICT AND MAKE KUSAWGU THE DISTRICT CAPITAL

By Sulemana Ishawu

INTRODUCTION

With reference to the govemment's proposal to create  new District Assemblies in all the regions in accordance with Section I of the Local Government Act 2016, Act 936, I call on the electoral commission to divide the  Central  Gonja  District  (CGD) which was carved  out  of the  West  Gonja  District and created  in  2004  under  LI  1750 into Buipe and Kusawgu districts with the new capital in Kusawgu.  This will aid the developmental pace of the area.
GEOPHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE PROPOSED KUSAWGU DISTRICT
The proposed Kusawgu district will lie  within  longitude  1˚5’and  2˚  58’  West  and  latitude  8˚32’and  10˚2’  North.. The  district will  share  boundaries  with  the  Buipe  District   to  the south,  the  North Gonja  District  to  the  west,  Tamale  Metropolis  to  the  north  and  the  East  Gonja  District  to  the  east.  The  district's creation will be strategical  because  it will link  the  Northern  Region to the Buipe district and   the rest of the  Southern part of Ghana..  The district stands the chance of developing faster considering its nearness  to  the  capital  of  the Northern  Region,  Tamale  which  is  endowed  with  rapid  developments  especially  in  the  service and hospitality  industries  in the  northern regions.The  proposed district has a  vast land, human  and  other  natural resources. The white Volta which stretches from North Gonja District to Yeji has  good  potential  for  small-scale  irrigation  schemes.

PROPOSED ADMINISTRATIVE CAPITAL
The  district  will have  its  administrative  capital  at  Kusawgu.  The  District  Assembly  will have its  total membership  of all the  elected  members,   government  appointees  (including  the DCE  and  the  MP).  Area  Council  centres  will be  at  Kusawgu,  Tuluwe,  Yapei,  Sankpala and  Chama. All  the  eleven  decentralised  departments  will be  present  but  minimally  functional  due  to challenges  of  inadequate  staffing,  logistics  and  office  space. There are currently an area council, post office, nonfunctional police station, community centre, market, health post, electricity, an ongoing tiling of the Kusawgu township roads and historical administrative buildings which could possibly be revamped for use. Kusawgu was the most administrative town aside Tamale in northern region around the 1980s. The development of the Tuluwe traditional area depends on Kusawgu's development. Its location makes it the most confluence town to all the hinterlands than any community in the proposed district.

CULTURAL AND SOCIAL STRUCTURE
There  are  over 10  ethnic  groups  in  the  district.  The  major  groups  are;  Gonja,  Dagomba,  Mamprusi  and  Ewe.  Others  include ,  Akans,  Chekosi  and  Fulanis.  The presence  of  ethnic  hoterogeneity  will promote socio-cultural  organization  and  development. There  are  inter-tribal marriages and  peaceful co-existence  which enhances unity  in diversity. There  are  four  major  religious  groups  in  the  Proposed Kusawgu  District.  These  include  Islam, Christianity, Traditionalist  and others with  Islam dominating.

TRADITIONAL GOVERNANCE
The proposed  Kusawgu  District  forms  part  of  the  Gonja  Traditional  Council  with  its  King  (the Yagbonwura)  as  President,  and  the  headquarters  of  Council  at  Damongo  in  the  West  Gonja District.  There  are  five  paramountcies  in  Gonjaland  which  normally  ascend  to  the  position  of the  King  (Yagbonwura)  on  rotational  basis.  Two  of  such  paramountcies  are  located  in  the proposed Kusawgu  District  that  is,  the  Kusawguwura  and  Tuluwewura.  There  are  also  some Divisional  Chiefs  who  are  answerable  to  these Kings.  Among  them  are;  Yapeiwura, Chamawura, Junction/Fufulsowura, Sankpala wura, Jukuwura  and  many more. . Chieftaincy  is  an important  institution  in  the  proposed Kusawgu  District  which will help  champion  the  development  agenda of  the district if its created.

ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS
The  main  economic  activity  of  the  people  is  agriculture  involving  crop  production,  livestock and  fish  farming.  The  land  is  extremely  fertile  for  agriculture  and  farming  is  normally intensive.  Some  of  the  crops  cultivated  are  maize,  sorghum,  millet,  groundnut,  cowpea,  soy beans,  yam,  rice,  as  well  as  cassava.  Fishing  and  livestock  are  considered  supplementary activities  to  crop  farming.  Large  scale  fishing  is could be carried  on  at  Yapei  and  Adape  on  the  White  Volta  lake.  The  major  animals  reared  including  cattle,  sheep,  goats,  fowls,  guinea fowls  etc.  and  birds  are  practically  reared  in  every  home,  but  large  scale  ranching  is can also be practised  in the  district considering the availability of vast land.  Economic  activities that could be  undertaken  in  the  district  are  large  and  small-  scale  agro-based  industries such  as  Shea  butter processing, rice  milling,  groundnut oil extraction and gari processing. There  are  only  a  few  potential  natural  resources  in  the proposed  district.  However,  some  of  these resources  are  yet  to  be  exploited.  The  known  resources  include     marble  stone, and  limestone.  Other  resources  include  arable  lands,  the  White  Volta  river,  and also available  are  large  deposits  of  sand  for  construction. The  district  abounds  in  many  tourism  attractions  though  these  are  largely  undeveloped.  The attractions  range  from  natural  features  such  as  the  White Volta  to  historical  such  as Regalia  at Nyanwuripe.  The  development  of  some  of  these  tourist sites  has  been  constrained  by  poor  road  infrastructure  and  inadequate  recreational  and accommodation facilities in the  district. So its creation will help tackle the social problems to develop these tourist site. The proposed district have six market centres which could boost the its economy if created.

CONCLUSION
The electoral commission should consider the division of the Central Gonja District with Kusawgu as the new District Capital to help speed up development in the area. The new district should cover all lands belonging to the Kusawgu and Tuluwe kingdoms to avoid future land litigation problems. The availability of historical administrative buildings as well current ones like an area council, nonfunctional police station, post office, health post, schools, market center, community center, electricity and the sit of the Kusawgu kingdom will enable Kusawgu to host the new district capital. The location of Kusawgu could have direct influence on all communities in the Kusawgu and Tuluwe kingdoms, hence the need to make it the district capital. Finally, the presence of market centers in Kusawgu, Tuluwe, Sankpala, Yapei, Chama and Jukuku will help develop the economy of the district. Kusawgu kingdom is endowed with Shea but trees which could attract investors to site processing factories in the new district.