We will remain captives to poverty if destruction of environment is not tackled-Catholic Bishop

We will remain captives to poverty if destruction of environment is not tackled-Catholic Bishop

The Bishop of the Diocese of Damongo and Chairman of the Ghana Prisons Council,Most Rev.Peter Paul Angkyier is with the conviction that,the people of the newly created Savannah region would continue to remain under the chains of poverty if the wanton destruction of the environment is not checked pronto.
In decrying the gravity of deforestation in the region,he said there was the fierce urgency of now;in tackling the menace, adding that,the church has been a lone voice in this crusade.

In a speech delivered on his behalf by Msgr.Tawoni Augustine at the St.Anne's Cathedral on the occasion of the visit of the President of the Republic,he reiterated the fact that,Savannah region has great agricultural potentials,which could contribute significantly to feeding the country if well developed.

"It is sad to note that for almost a decade now,the church has been a lone voice in the fight against the serious deforestation and attack on our environment.The Savannah region has great agricultural potential,if well developed could contribute extensively to the feeding of the people of this country.The issue of the deforestation in all corners of the region has to be addressed with great urgency;otherwise despite the positive economic indicators of development,we would still remain captives to the situation of poverty,"he forewarned.

Whilst describing the visit of the president as historic,he expressed gratitude to the president for the gift of the Savannah region and bear down on the commitment of the church to its further growth.
As a multi ethnic society,he emphasized the need for peace and the integration of the various ethic groups, stating that,"there can be no development without peace".
With specific reference,he said the chieftaincy disputes in the region have been a major source of division in some communities and a challenge to the development of the area.

The Bishop added his voice to the many voices calling on successive governments' to look seriously into the water situation of the people of Damongo,noting that,"Water is life".He charged the president to help address once and for all,the challenging situation of water supply in Damongo and its surrounding communities.

His Excellency Nana Addo Danquah Akuffo-Addo in his tour of the newly created Savannah region made time to worship with the Catholic faithfuls of the St.Anne's Cathedral in Damongo.
In his brief remark,the president hesitated to bring to the notice of the congregation the costly nature of chieftaincy disputes.
He said the amount of money government expended in resolving the Dagbon chieftaincy crisis would make the "mouth of the congregation open" if disclosed.

He said his government,since,assuming office has been waging a relentless war against galamsay and the devastation of our water bodies and land scale.
He assured the Catholic church which has been a lone voice in the fight against the depletion of the forest cover in the region that,they have found another partner and that partner is the government of Nana Addo Daquah Akuffo-Addo.

On the Damongo water situation,he revealed that there is good news and the good news is that,'this Thursday,that is when cabinet meets,they were going to consider a memorandum from the Minister for Water and Natural Resources and the Minister for Finance asking for approval for the Damongo water to be initiated.The water he said,would be drawn from the Yapei river,stating that,"Very soon,you will see work that would begin the installation of the Damongo water project and hopefully,very soon an end to the water problem which has been a big blight on your lives here".(Applaus).

The president was accompanied by the Minister of Roads and Highways,hon.Amoako Attah;the Minister for Regional Reorganisation,hon.Dan Botwe;the two Deputy Chiefs of Staff at the office of the president;regional ministers, MMDCE from the Savannah region;NPP General Secretary,Mr.John Boadu ad infinitum....

Source:Ananpansah B Abraham

'I am your close brother from a distance' - Akufo- Addo tells Savanah Region chiefs'

S/R:your 'blood' brother could be a distant stranger;I'm your brother from a distance-President Akuffo-Addo

President Nana Addo Danquah Akuffo-Addo has disclosed that he is more close in soul, time and place to the people of the newly created Savannah region than they can ever imagine.

At a Durbar with the chiefs and people of Wasipe Traditional Area in the North Gonja District of the newly created Savannah region as part of his three days tour of the region,he noted that in life sometimes, your own brother could be a distant stranger,adding that,"I am your close brother from a distance".

He expressed gratitude to the people for making Savannah region a reality after nearly 50 years of demands, agitations and petitions,noting that,it was historic and an honor to be the first president to tour the region.

He explained that he was in the infant region to lay the foundation and basis for development and urged the people of the area to work towards the upkeep of the region after diligent years of struggle.

To enable the Regional Cooordinating Council,of which he would be inspecting the grounds for construction,to take off smoothly,he revealed that he came along with eight vehicles to be presented to the regional officers to aid their work and promised to monitor closely from the Flagstaff house the work of the RCC.

On the Seismic Survey being conducted by the GNP under the Voltaian Basin for possible deposits of oil and gas at Sakpala,Mankarigu and Yagbon-Daha,he said there will soon be feasibility studies by experts to identify and ensure the natural resources in the area, including salt are put to good use.

The president took the opportunity to tour the Daboya Smock and Weaving centre and promised to take steps to upgrade the centre to modern standards.

The Paramount Chief of the Wasipe Tradition Area in a speech delivered on his behalf by Gbenapewura Sung-Bore,appealed to the president as the mother of the region to bring more development to the area,'describing him as a visionary leader'.

He said the area was endowed with abundant natural resources such as salt, mineral deposits,fossil fuel,vast land and water that need to be tapped for development.

He disclosed that the district was in dire need of a hospital,tertiary institutions,military barracks and called on the president to consider upgrading the road from Busunu to Daboya;Daboya to Mankarigu as well as establishing the Smock Weaving factory in Daboya as part of the One District,One Factory policy.

The president was accompanied by the Minister of Roads and Highways,Mr.Amoako Attah;the Minister of Regional Reorganisation,Hon.Dan Botwe;the Northern Regional Minister; Mr.Salifu Saeed and the Savannah regional Minister, hon.Salifu Adam Braimah.

The next stop of the president would be at Damongo,the Savannah regional capital were he is expected to break the grounds for the construction of the Regional Coordinating Council.

Source:Ananpansah B Abraham

Mr.President:You've failed abysmally in fulfilling your promises-Savannah region NDC

Mr.President:You've failed abysmally in fulfilling your promises-Savannah region NDC

Ahead of president Akuffo-Addo's visit to the newly created Savannah region,the Communication Bureau of the opposition National Democratic Congress(NDC) has described his government as a monumental failure in the region.

In a five paged statement signed by the Communications Officer Hopeful (Unopposed), Mr.Malik Basintale and copied to Ghanawebs' Ananpansah B Abraham,the NDC said reality has caught up with the deceptive Akuffo-Addo led government, adding that,the president is a "national crisis" and a "big misfortune" bestowed on the people of Ghana for a period of four years.

According to the statement,the current government apart from failing to fulfil the many promises made to the people of the region during the 2016 electioneering campaign,has intentionally abandoned multifold projects started by the then John Dramani Mahama led administration in the region such as;the Ghc757,750.00 Daboya Smock Weaving Factory which started in 2014, the Busunu-Daboya-Mankarigu road project,the Sawla Hospital project which until recent times was put on hold,the $35 million Damongo Water Project among others.

Portions of the concluding part of the statement read,"Mr.President,we cannot conclude without speaking about the Promises you gave this  region whiles campaigning in 2016 and even after.You promised the people of Bole a She Processing Factory to recruit about 1,200 people,  1Million dollars,1Warehouse,1Ambulance,1student-1Chocolate,more  than 100Dams et  al. Mr.President where are the projects?And Why haven’t you completed the Only Teacher Training College that was started by H.E John Mahama in Bole?Or is it A Case of Political-opponent “Mafiarism”!All other constituencies are still waiting for Same...Mr. President you again promised to add six additional boreholes to the existing ones the last time you visited His Royal Majesty in Damongo.Where are the projects?Before the 2016 election,the then running mate and now Vice President of our Republic,Dr.Mahamadu Bawumia made a promise to the good people of Larabanga that your government was going  to build an Islamic Senior High School for them if you won power.Thankfully you did  and Dr.Bawumia is absolutely no where to be found even in a Re-denomination.Mr. President where is the project?"

Read below the full statement:

Below is the full Press statement:

SAVANNAH REGION NDC PRESS RELEASE.

THE IMPENDING VISIT OF THE PRESIDENT NANA ADDO DANKWAH AKUFO-ADDO INTO THE NEWLY CREATED SAVANNAH REGION

DATE: 16TH MAY , 2019.

The Attention of the Regional Executive Committee of the NDC have been drawn to the visit of the President Mr. Nana Addo Dankwah Akufo-Addo to the Savannah Region starting from Saturday the 18th of May to Sunday the 19th of May 2019.

Just as already in the public domain, We are already fully aware of the abysmal failure and the awful fact that time has Fast caught up with this Governments lies and deceptions upon Having exhausted close to three years at the helm of affairs without acquitting themselves creditably relative to all benchmarks of governance, be it the economy, unemployment, health, corruption, infrastructure, Sanitation, Security among others, But We as a region were more astonished upon going through the Presidents itinerary and realizing the sneaking of projects to fit promises of His and also Twisting of Project biographies just to Claim them.

We therefore first declare this Guile Attitude of the Akufo-Addo led Government a National Crisis and a big misfortune perhaps bestowed upon us for a period of 4- Years.

However, we proceed, in setting the Records straight so as not to get you Misled again Mr.President and to save you from the constant Embarrassments even though we had wished to touch on the case of our NPP brother Mr. Albert Diwura, The Deputy CEO of the Ghana Export promotion authority who have deeply embarrassed this Region being a Native, for his alleged involvement in first aiding the CEO of the authority to extort monies worth Millions of Ghana Cedis from the state and personally spending Ghc93,112 just on rent and have since refused to appear before the public service commission for fear of being trapped.

We welcome you into our Region and say to you Amaraaba as we pray that you Enjoy the smooth Ride on the Road from fufulso-Sawla. The road Your predecessor H.E John Dramani Mahama and the NDC constructed after Your Former boss JAK Promised and Failed for 8 good years.

Indeed We begin with the Daboya Smock Weaving Factory.

Smock known in local parlance as 'Ngbanye waje' is a popular business in Daboya and its environs. Almost every household in the area is engaged in the smock business. History States that the business was started by a clan in Daboya called 'Bakaranbasi family'. This family lived close to the river bank in Daboya town. Indigenes from Daboya enclave drive the larger part of their income from this business. In light of this, the President John Mahama in June, 2014 decided to direct a proposal to the Ministry of Trade and Industry through EDAIF to establish a factory called 'smock factory or Kore Factory' for it. The proposal got an agent approval from the Ministry with EDAIF as the funding agency. A committee was quickly set up of mainly the beneficiaries to stir the affairs of the project. The total cost of the project was estimated at about GHc757,750.00 for which the EDAIF will fund GHc607,750.00 and the Assembly provided GHc150,000. The project was supposed to be in two phases. The first phase which involved the construction of the physical structure costing GHc250,000.00 was completed in October 2016. The second phase that was suppose to Kick start after 2016 and was simply supposed to be the provision of inputs such as dye, thread, pegs, local dye pits, 'kore' , 'korokoro' etc. for the take off was never followed by the Government as a result of the fact that the DCE with his team either knowingly or unknowingly decided not to access the rest of the fund that is still sitting in the EDAIF account waiting for disbursement. Hence, its current state.

Mr. President this May be the worst level of incompetence exhibited by your Government in the fourth Republic “ Where the meal has been cooked by your predecessor and yet You refuse to serve it to the people due to insensitivity. “

We further expect You Mr.President to have a rough feel of the remaining phase of the Busunu-Daboya-Mankarigu road you have abandoned and for the Fear of Allah to complete it for our brothers, Fathers and mothers there just as You must do too for the Bridge across the white Volta as you Promised and have since Failed.

The Sawla Hospital project.

Upon the Rising Health cases in the Sawla-tuna-Kalba constituency, H.E John Mahama and His Executives saw the Need to construct a Standard hospital to meet the rising Health needs of the people. This saw the Commissioning of the district hospital to be built to the standard of modern hospitals but unfortunately We left power before its completion. We are saddened to inform you that the ongoing district hospital in Sawla, which was awarded to VAMED construction firm as part of five others across the country with the current Savannah Region getting three (Sawla- Tuna-Kalba, Central Gonja and East Gonja districts) was kept on a hold by your Government until recent time that it commenced construction again due to perhaps the presidents visit. If this is not shear wickedness and insensitively, then what is it? considering the number of lives it’s completion earlier could have saved. H.E John Mahama upon awaiting the completion of the Hospital and due to the Rising spread of diseases in the district gave some Quick measures such as CHPS compounds like Goyiri, CHP compounds at kawie, CHP compounds Gbegu and kong, CHPS Compound at Kunfusi, Amongst others.

In Fact Two ambulances were donated to the Sawla Health centre and St. Joseph Health Centre In Kalba, So Incase Just when one of those is mistakenly pointed out to you on your trip as your achievement, Mr.President, Don’t be Misled!

Last but not the Least is the Yapei water project .

Efforts to give potable water to Yapei dates back to the early days in 2009 under the NDC administration and this was under the Sustainable Rural Water Project under the Community Water and Sanitation Agency. It was continued under the same NDC but this time under H.E John Mahama’s administration and this was under the same project but had advanced to where feasibility works were being done and advert placed to award the contract.

There was a funding challenge as a result of the scope of supply following the change from underground water (which was low) to drawing from the river. A Netherlands NGO partnered with the District assembly to provide separate water system to Yapei. Polytanks were erected, Cables and pipes were laid to the river source and abandoned for security reasons. Unfortunately the cables were removed by thieves from underground. This infuriated the donors and so they pulled back.

During the first quarter of 2016, the District Assembly under the NDC entered into a contract with Pump tech to do two things:

ToMountpolytanksatYapei,KusawguandSankpalawherepipeswillbe provided and water drawn from the Fufulso Water System at Ntereso using tanker services. These started at Kusawgu and Sankpala before the end of 2016.

2. Toconductfeasibilityworksandalsoprovidebillsofquantities(estimates) for the extension of water from Ntereso to Yapei and Ntereso to Buipe. This was done and presented to the general assembly of the Central Gonja District Assembly again before we left office.

The idea was to present to CWSA and other donors for the extension of water finally to Yapei.

Until Of recent times, where we heard of the presidents plans to Visit the site, it had been abandoned as one of the numerous abandoned projects of H.E John Dramani mahama.

The water is still being drawn from the water system we established at Ntereso which is currently supplying water to Fufulso/Junction, Nyanwuripe, Ntereso, Yipala and Kpatakpla.

Ladies and Gentlemen these are the Records of that project set straight.

Mr.President, We cannot conclude without speaking about the Promises you gave this region whiles campaigning in 2016 and even after.

You promised The people of Bole A Shea Processing Factory to recruit about 1,200 people, 1Million dollars,1Warehouse,1Ambulance,1student-1Chocolate,more than 100Dams et al. Mr.President where are the projects? And Why haven’t you completed the Only Teacher Training College That was started by H.E John Mahama in Bole? Or is it A Case of Political-opponent “Mafiarism”!

All other constituencies are still waiting for Same.

Mr. President, Damongo being the Regional Capital Has a very peculiar problem of constant shortage of Water and as such the NDC Government made Further facilitation’s in ensuring that this project met the light of the day.

It saddens us to state emphatically to the effect that, $35 million Damongo water project that was sent to parliament for approval was shut down and has since not been visited, which means your government is simply not committed to that project because it was just a matter or Stretching the remaining 10% of project facilitated and ensuring that all mechanical works be done. Mr. President you again promised to add six additional boreholes to the existing ones the last time you visited His Royal Majesty in Damongo. Where are the projects? Before the 2016 election, the then running mate and now Vice President of our Republic, Dr. Mahamadu Bawumia made a promise to the good people of Larabanga that your government was going to build an Islamic Senior High School for them if you won power. Thankfully you did and Dr.Bawumia is absolutely no where to be found even in a Re-denomination. Mr. President where is the project?

Car parts dealers and merchanic’s in the region are suffering

Drug store operators are suffering.

Provision store owners don’t make significant profits anymore.

Bread producers and sellers are suffering as they recently went on strike. Savanna NABCO workers are suffering.

Agric recruits in afforestation are suffering.

Our Farmers are suffering.

Market women are suffering and above all

Your own party Foot-soldiers and contractors in the region are nothing to write home about today.

Mr. President everybody within the Savannah Region is virtually suffering or showing symptoms of an impending Crisis as your Government have left us here with nothing but Excruciating poverty and no signs of a better tomorrow.

With all the Above We hope that Mr. President you will not be first to Crack the biggest Lie and deception in this visit of yours as we will be on standby to set the records straight and we further leave you with the Phrase “You can brag of having the Savannah Regional Promise of H.E John Mahama fortunately Created when you assumed office, But you cannot Boast of A SINGLE Project and achievement within the Region”

Long Live the Savannah Region! Long Live the NDC!!

ISSUED IN DAMONGO ON THE 16th MAY 2019.

SIGNED:

MALIK BASINTALE DEP.NR-COMMUNICATION OFFICER

For: NDC-SAVANNAH REGION

Source:Ananpansah B Abraham

Let's collaborate to make Savannah region a model-Catholic Bishop

Let's collaborate to make Savannah region a model-Catholic Bishop

The Bishop of the Diocese of Damongo and Chairman of the Ghana Prisons Council,Most Rev.Peter Paul Angkyier has called for a close stakeholder collaboration to develop the infant Savannah region.
As a new region,he said there was the need to learn from the the older regions in mobilising our potentials for development.

In addressing the regional minister who paid a call to him at the Catholic Secretariat,he reiterated the fact that,we all have to look in the same direction to make the region a model.

"If we don't listen to one another,then you will see that we are going to miss a number of opportunities.And since we are beginning,it is good to learn from the older regions to see how we can mobilise together;mobilise our potentials for development.After all,the purpose of the region from my side or the side of everybody is to promote development...I think that,if we all are looking in the same direction,certainly,we will be able to make this region a model and that is my prayer and wish...So, these are just a few reflections I want to make:the peace, the environment and collaboration of stakeholders .That we are able to listen to one another to push this region forward,"he said.

He stated that,the purpose of the church is to help government develop the nation, adding that, most of the interventions of the Catholic Church is about human promotion,whether it's health, education inter alia.
The intention of the church in speaking publicly against the administration of some government interventions according to him,has never been to sabotage, but to help improve the system;citing the NHIS which happen to be the brainchild of the Catholic Church as an example.

He emphasized the need to bring everybody on board and not to leave some people behind,because we think we now have the region,stating that, " no contribution is little, even if it's the smallest".

He applauded Peace and Development Radio(PAD FM) for the instrumental role it played in the fight against rosewood harvesting and charcoal burning. He said even in the midst of intimidation, the radio station stood up to defend the course of the environment, society and posterity.

The Savannah Regional Minister,hon.Adam Salifu Braimah said,it will be a grave mistake to ignore the church which is more on the ground in terms of development than any other institution.He promised to provoke a social interaction between the church and government;and to rope in the minority tribes who are actually majority in the region for development.

On the environment,he disclosed that,he was tasking a nine member committee to tackle the issue of rosewood harvesting and the unauthorised operation of Chinese companies within the region.And that,all these activities couldn't have been happening at the blindside of our chiefs.
The minister informed the Bishop that,the president of the Republic will be in the Savannah regional capital on Sunday,19th May,2019, and would like to take the opportunity to worship with the Catholic Church.

A local reporter,Mr.Ananpansah B Abraham emphasized on the need for the committee so tasked to work closely with the local media for a collective success in the fight against illegal logging and commercial charcoal burning.

The regional minister was accompanied by the Regional Coordination Director,Mr.Mohammed Baba Hamed and the District Coordinating Director,Mr. Petro Philimon.

Source:Ananpansah B Abraham.

Savannah region: electricity to be extended to five communities in West Gonja District

Savannah region: electricity to be extended to five communities in West Gonja District

The District Chief Executive(DCE) for West Gonja District,hon.Saeed Muhazu Jibreal has disclosed that five communities within the newly created Savannah regional capital, Damongo, will soon have electricity extended to them.

In a live interview on PAD FM Friday evening,the DCE said since 1998 when Damongo township got connected to the national grid, little has been done to extend electricity to the surrounding communities and growing settlements.

In responding to a question by the host,Ananpansah B Abraham known in radio circles as "AB for short" on growing concerns and demands for electricity extension by residents of Canteen New Town,Frafra settlements number 1 & 6;who recently mounted "a No Lights, No Vote Bandwagon" and other parts of the district,the DCE reiterated the fact that,electricity extension is very dear to his administration.

This commitment to electricity extension according to him,was demonstrated last year when he started "something small" on electricity extension in Damongo township and beyond.
He assured the host that he was going to extend electricity under the District Development Facility (DDF) to communities such as Canteen New town,Frafra settlement(1 & 6),Hangaline and some other two communities in the district.
The funds according to him,are ready and pending approval by the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development,adding that,this time around,they are going to mount the poles and do wiring instead of just providing electricity poles.

"AB,I am assuring you and reassuring you that we still have some facility-the DDF (District Development Facility) money worth about Ghc227,000 which I'm going to put into electricity in five communities(emphasis) and the communities are: Canteen New Town at all cost; it is going to be number one,St.Anne's Frafra settlements number 1 & 6;you remember they came here and told you-"No Lights;No Vote-tell them they will vote because I'm going to provide them lights,Hangaline and other specific areas are also included.And this time around,we are not just going to provide poles like we did after the last extension exercise.The mounting of poles will go alongside wiring...So as I speak, I've forwarded the budget to the Ministry of Local Government for approval. If they don't approve it,you can't spend.The money is ready...,"he reiterated.

He also disclosed that there is a 2016 DDF facility which he is going to invest in putting up an ultra Modern Electronic Library Facility as pledged something ago in an interview with the host.The library he said,is going to be located in the heart of the town for eazy accessibility.

On the recent clearing of refuse dumps led by the District Assembly,he removed the mask surrounding the controversy when he pointed out that it would have cost the assembly a whooping Gh95,000 to clear each of the seven (7) dumping sites with each of the refuse dumps carrying more than 5 cubic tonnage of refuse.And that it took the intervention of the current Deputy Chief of Staff,Lawyer Abu Jinapor, to get the Tipper Trucks,Caterpillar and the other heavy equipment to execute the work.
The District Assembly he disclosed,only contributed diesel to fuel the machines which is even in arrears.The hitherto quarterly Ghc40,000 Landfill contract that the district had with Zoomlion has been cancelled and that the assembly now only has a quarterly Gh45,000 fumigation contract and clearing of gutters and Sweeping of the major streets which cost the assembly Gh40,000 a quarter.

He applauded PAD FM for championing the campaign that kept the assembly on its toes to clear the refuse dumps.
The host appealed to the DCE to consider putting incinerators at the newly cleared refuse sites for garbage collection which he said the assembly was going to consider.

He pledged to close down the BrivyWelss Wood Company located in Yipala by Monday,adding that,the structure will completely be razed after one year.The Chinese according to him,have promised to convert the wood company to a Tomato Processing Factory that would provide jobs for the teaming youth,reason why the assembly is still considerate in its decision to completely tear it down.

He entreated prospective farmers to register under government's Planting for Food and Jobs program.He said prices of farm inputs such as fertilizer under the program would be halved for farmers.The registration process according to him,has been decentralised this year with Agric officers visiting the electoral areas to register farmers.

Development he concluded,is a collaborative process and all hands must be in deck beyond partisan politics to propel development in the district and newly created region.

Source:Ananpansah B Abraham

West Gonja GNAT holds 2nd edition of pre-independence quiz competition

General News of Thu, 7 Mar 2019
West Gonja GNAT holds 2nd edition of pre-independence quiz competition
The quiz competition had a total of five basic schools participating across the district
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The youth and women desk of the West Gonja/North Gonja District("s") of the Ghana National Association of Teachers(GNAT),successfully held the second edition of its annual Pre-Independence Quiz Competition,Tuesday March 5,2019,at the Assembly Hall of the Damongo Senior High School in the Savannah regional capital(Damongo).
The competition which was organized under the auspices of the GNAT Youth Desk and GNAT Ladies,had a total of five basic schools randomly selected across the West Gonja District participating.
The schools were:Canteen J.H.S,Kurabaso J.H.S,New life J.H.S,Damongo Model Girl's J.H.S and Yabum J.H.S.
After nearly three hours of remarkable erudition,Damongo Girls' Model J.H.S was adjudged the winner of the 2019 second edition of the competition with a total of 38 points.
New Life J.H.S followed closely with a total of 30 points to place second. Yabum J.H.S came third with a total of 23 points. In the fourth position was Canteen J.H.S with a total of 22 points. Kurabaso J.H.S appeared at the bottom with a total of 17 points.
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The district youth coordinator of the GNAT for West Gonja and North Gonja Districts,Mr.Ananpansah B Abraham congratulated all the participants for the incredible display of mastery of our common history.
He said the essence of the competition was basically to prepare the students to better commemorate the 62nd Independence Day Celebration of our country.
According to him,there is much in our pre-independence,independence and post independence struggles of glory and we need not to be ashamed of our past. He emphasized the need to create and sustain in the students,the synergetic impulses of past and present generation of leaders.
Whiles making justifiable pride in striving to annex the immutable component of dogma or fixed traditions by which we learn what to believe, thus, stucking us in prejudice and limitations and never free to change and grow by thinking critically. The problems of the youth of today according to him,are deeply rooted in history.
"What our ancestor achieved in the Context of their contemporary society gives us confidence that we can create, out of that past, a glorious future, not in terms of war or military pomps, but in terms of social progress and or peace... Our battles shall be against the old ideas that keep man trammelled in their own greed; against the crass stupidities that breed hatred, fear and inhumanity,", he said.
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He encouraged the students to be good ambassadors of our history and appealed to well meaning bodies and stakeholders to take keen interest in the initiative and support the youth desk to come out with more of such initiatives. He disclosed the competition has come to stay amidst the challenges.
Madam Fuseini Naimatu,the GNAT Las coordinator challenged the students,especially the females to be assertive and participate more in such competitions. According to her,women can do better, what men can do. She congratulated Damongo Girls' Model for wining this year's edition of the competition,mindful of the fact that,they won last year's maiden edition. She made a passionate appeal to stakeholders to come to the aid of the youth wings of the association,so they can organise more of such competitions and improve subsequent editions of the competition.
The quiz competition was moderated by Chief Abdallah Tolodompewura Mornoh of CHRAJ and had in attendance, the district director of CHRAJ,headteachers and teachers of the various basic schools in the district, interest groups and the media.
All participants took home award packages from the GNAT youth, including books, marshals and pens.

I am also a Canteen Yaaro - Mahama reveals

I am also a Canteen Yaaro - Mahama reveals

Ex-president John Dramani Mahama has said he is a Canteen Yaaro and proud to associate with Canteen Yaara.

He made this stunning revelation at the grand durbar of the 2018 second homecoming event of the Canteen Yaara Development Association(CAYDA) held at the Canteen Central Park in the West Gonja District of the soon to be declared Savannah Region.

The former president was in the district with the MP of Damongo constituency,hon. Adam Mutawakilu to observe the voting process towards the creation of the proposed Savannah Region after casting his vote in the Bole District and paid a surprise visit to the youth group.This was after the MP who was in his company had sought for permission to grace the event,since,he was scheduled to launch the Educational Fund of the association.

The former president opted to accompany the MP and stated at the occasion that he was born at the West Gonja Catholic Hospital which is located in Canteen and that qualifies him as a Canteen Yaaro.

"Canteen Yaaro" is a special colloquial phrase coined out of "Canteen Hausa"...'Canteen Hausa' is the Pidgin version of the standard Hausa Language and 'Canteen Yaaro' within the 'Canteen Hausa' context means "Youth" with no specific age limit.

The ex-president did the association an honor by presenting awards to two students who emerged best in Canteen J.H.S. Block A and Canteen J.H.S. Block B in last year's BECE.The students,Dirbe Peter and Mohammed Hadi who are both currently pursuing General Science at the S.H.S,obtained aggregate 16 and 17 respectively.

The award package which was put together by CAYDA is to serve as a motivation to the subsequent batches and to celebrate the collective victory of a significant improvement made in the 2017 BECE results as compared to the 2016 results,Ananpansah B Abraham,the Secretary of CAYDA-Educom(Canteen Yaara Development Association Educational Commitee) revealed in an interview on PAD FM.

All students who participated in an ealier quiz competion as well as their individual school's took home standard text books as prizes.

The quiz session which was led by Chief Abdallah Tolodompewura Mornoh and supported by Ananpansah B Abraham saw Canteen J.H.S. Block B coming first with a total of 16 points,followed closely by St. Anne's J.H.S. Block A who obtained 11.5 points,St. Anne's J.H.S. Block B placed third with a total of 9 points whilst Canteen J.H.S. Block B occupied the fourth position with a total of 8 points.

The Member of Parliament in launching the fund,pledged an amount of Ghc2000 on behalf of the former president for CAYDA Education and Development Fund.He further promised to donate Ghc5000 annually into the fund starting from 2019.

In a similar light,prof.Addah Wesseh,a Canteen Yaaro and a product of Canteen J.H.S. has pledged to provide free hostel accommodation to any female student from Canteen who gains admission into UDS,Nyankpala campus.

In a keynote address read on his behalf by Mr. Sulemana Nyadia,a Canteen Yaaro,the DCE lauded the association for the initiative and promised to support the association in its bid to augment the developmental pursuit of the assembly.

He said the government was passionate about the education of the youth;evident in its policy of Free S.H.S. among others and this resonates with the theme for CAYDA 2018 homecoming event.

Mr.Albert Diwura Kassimu,the Deputy Executive Secretary of the Ghana Export Promotion Council and a Canteen Yaaro was full of applauds for the association and the organizers of the homecoming event.Whilst pledging his continuous support for the association,he prayed for unity of purpose and the strengh to strength growth of the group.

Dr. Raphael Ayizanga,a lecturer at the University of Ghana,Legon,and a product of Canteen, encouraged the youth and students to take their studies very serious,adding that,education holds the key to unlocking potentials.

Lawyer Baba S. Zankawa who delivered a speech on behalf of the association said the association ,which started in 2017,is barely two years in existence,but has chalked a lot of sucesses ,especially,in the area of education.

He highlighted major developmental challenges facing the community and how CAYDA was positioning itself to tackling those challenges.

The entire program which was covered by Ghanaweb's Ananpansah B Abraham and Asansan TV was live on PAD FM.

The chairman for the occasion was chief Cletus Zume(Zeus). In attendance also were:youth, chiefs and people of Canteen, Canteen Yaara resident in the diaspora, Alhassan Darison;the 2013 National Best Farmer, Madam Felicia Kraja; National Women Commissioner of the Gonjaland Youth Association,Rev.Fr.Clement Aapegnua of CECOTAPS ad infinitum.

Source: Ananpansah B Abraham//Ghanaweb.com