Damongo weekly market to be relocated to Canteen to pave way for ungradement works

Damongo weekly market to be relocated to Canteen to pave way for ungradement works

The Damongo weekly market in the interim, is to be relocated to the newly constructed Canteen market to pave way for construction work to commence.

This was agreed upon at a stakeholder consultative forum held at the premises of the Damongo Agricultural College to deliberate on the upgradement plan of the the Damongo weekly market from its current dilapidated status to a more befitting state. 

The forum brought together Assembly members,chiefs, market women,staff of the West Gonja Municipal Assembly and the Regional Coordinating Council,youth groups and the media to discuss and adopt a temporal roadmap to relocate the market for continuous economic activities for construction work to begin on the weekly market.

The Municipal Chief Executive, Musah Karim Kusubari explained that the newly built canteen market is safer and spacious enough with the necessary essentials of a market to accomodate the large population market women in the interim.

He pleaded with the market women to try and contain the temporal inconvenience that may come with the temporal relocation exercise as effort is put in place to give a facelift to the age-long Damongo weekly market.

The honorable MCE called on the traders to consider the decision of the Assembly and take advantage of the facility at canteen for their economic activities, adding that the necessary steps would be taken to make the temporal market location a conductive place for the market women.

Before settling on the Canteen market, there were varried opinions as to where the weekly Damongo market should be relocated with some leaders of the market women suggesting the Damongo daily market as a temporal fix to the inconvenience. But considering safety concerns raised coupled with congestion challenges and vehicular traffic that would be created in the Damongo township should the daily market be considered, it was widely agreed that the Canteen market shouldz be the temporal location for the Saturday weekly market.

The MCE with some officials from the Assembly later visited the Damongo Daily Market and the Canteen market to interact with the market women and to assess the situation on the ground.

Source: Ananpansah Bartholomew Abraham

Indiscriminate bushfires threat to forest conservation, Green Ghana initiative - CEO of NORGIID-Ghana

Indiscriminate bushfires threat to forest conservation, Green Ghana initiative - CEO of NORGIID-Ghana

The Founder and Executive Director of Northern Ghana Integrated Initiatives for Development (NORGIID-Ghana), Sumani Iddrisu Azambuja has raised red flags over the rampant bushfires experienced in the Savannah Region especially, during the lean season.

This he said contributes significantly to compounding the problem of forest conservation in the Savannah Region and stifling efforts at keeping Ghana green as touted by the government of the day.

In an exclusive interview with Blogger Ananpansah Bartholomew Abraham, the environmentalist, who doubles as the president of the Cashew Farmers Assocation of Damongo warned that the physical, economic and social consequences of bushfires are dire for the infant Savannah Region and include: reduce crop yield,low income,reduce demand for labour,health and environmental destruction.

These debilitating effects he pointed out, culminates into retard development of farming communities in the West Gonja as a Municipality and Savannah Region as a whole, where majority of livelihood is dependent on farming, hunting and gathering.

Quoting from data,the passionate environmental advocate disclosed that on an annual basis, Ghana loses 4% of its Gross Domestic Product to wildfire,adding that," we can work together to restore our forest cover by taking steps to reduce the impact of fires on our climate and environment".

He said his organization was ready to collaborate with other NGOs and the necessary agencies to undertake awareness creation in the areas of bushfires and devise possible ways to address the impact of bushfires on cashew and crop farmers.

According to him,the only way to sustain the Green Ghana Initiative by government,protect our tree crops and arable lands for a sustained livelihood is to "say no to the the perennial uncontrolled bushfires in the region.

He launched a passionate appeal to the local media,chiefs and opinion leaders of our various communities to join the call to end bushfires in the Savannah Region and Ghana as a whole in order to sustain investment in tree crops and other crop establishment.

Source: Ananpansah Bartholomew Abraham

Savannah NPP outdoors regional party office

Savannah NPP outdoors regional party office

The Savannah Regional wing of the governing New Patriotic Party has inaugurated its Regional Party Office at Damongo,the Savannah Regional capital.

At a colorful ceremony,the Savannah Regional Executive Committee led by the regional chairman of the party , Iddrisu Sulemana Kalamonia commissioned the new temporal office space, which will serve as the party's Regional Secretariat.

He disclosed that the construction of the temporal Regional Secretariat is to enable the party coordinate and mann its affairs in the region so as to serve the youth and the vulnerable aimed at galvanizing more votes for the NPP come December 2024.

The edifice according to him, was built by the Regional Executive Committee of the party with support from the Member of Parliament for the Damongo Constituency,Lawyer Samuel Abu Jinapor and the Managing Director of the Ghana water company Ltd,  Dr. Ing. Clifford Braimah.

The Regional Secretary of the party,Mohammed Issah explained that the building of the regional office forms part of their modest contribution and measures as regional executives to facilitate the running of the activities of the party in the region.

He said the completion and outdooring of the facility gladdens his heart as a regional secretary, since it was a core part of his campaign then as Regional Secretary hopeful,which eventually became a bigger issue for the entire Regional Executive Committee after the election, giving birth to the new edifice.

He further explained that the new office was to serve the purpose of party administration and to also enhance the running of the party's activities in the region.

The commissioning of the New Regional Secretariat was witnessed by regional executives of the party, together with constituency executives accross the Savannah Region and other big party wigs.

Meanwhile, Iddi Osman, a native of Laribanga has been appointed as the Regional Administrator of the Regional Party Secretariat. 

He will be assisted by a secretary soon be appointed by the Regional Executive Committee. 

The duo will manage the office as the regional executives move round the region to explain government policies to the masses.

Source: Ananpansah Bartholomew Abraham

I'm ready and able to lead youth front for victory 2024 - Popular NDC youth activist

I'm ready and able to lead youth front for victory 2024 - Popular NDC youth activist

A well-placed youth activist of the opposition National Democratic Congress in the Bole-Bamboi constituency of the Savannah Region has reaffirmed his commitment to working tirelessly with the youth base of the party to deliver the much expected victory 2024.

Seidu Osman, a consummate democrat widely known in Bole and beyond for his magnanimity and support for the youth said there was 'the fierce urgency of now' to rescue Ghana from the path of self-destruction under the current government and a well-mobilized youth front is key to achieving this goal.

In an exclusive interview with blogger Ananpansah Bartholomew Abraham, Mr. Osman disclosed that his outfit continue to be inundated with calls from the youth of the party accross the Savannah Region to run for the position of the Regional Youth Organizer.

He assured that upon sober reflection and wide consultation, he will not let the salient voices and calls of the youth down when the time is due, observing that the NDC in Savannah Region currently need a very augean leadership which is in touch with the realities of the youth to protect the victory of the party at the various polling stations.

According to him, most of the youth feel strongly that the youth front of the party in the Savannah Region was currently very fragile and lacking in vigor, and need competent revamping for the herculian task ahead of 2024.

He gave a strong indication that, if it's about cash for the youth activities, he is more than ready to use his meagre resources to defend the course of the party.

As a strong youth voice cum business mogul, Chencherious as Osman is popularly called by his folks is hailed as a very humble, dedicated, well activated on the ground and prepared to take front lead when there is danger.

He further noted that the current youth leadership of the party in the region was out of touch with the realities of the youth, a major factor for the poor performance of the party in the region in the just ended 2020 elections,adding that," I am ready and able to lead a formidable youth front for victory 2024".

The youth, from public opinion believe that, he is the right person to frontier the youth base of the party to deliver a resounding victory in the region.

The former Yaliwa Electoral Area Assemblyman is recognized to have played a key role in the parliamentary success of Ex-president John Dramani Mahama in the Bole-Bamboi constituency.

As a student activist at the Damongo S.H.S, he use to voluntarily mobilize youth with his own resources to go to Bole to vote for former president John Mahama during his days as a Member of Parliament.

The affluent political advocate use the opportunity to call on the youth of the party to remain united and keep hopes alive for the victory of John Dramani Mahama and the NDC is coming again to restore their folorn desires.

Source: Ananpansah Bartholomew Abraham

Channel funds for National Cathedral into rice and sugar production - Trade Expert to Akuffo-Addo

Channel funds for National Cathedral into rice and sugar production - Trade Expert to Akuffo-Addo 

A Ghanaian based Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) student and a trade expert, Zankawah Sanusi Kris has admonished president Nana Addo Danquah Akuffo-Addo to leave the matters of God to the clergy and concentrate on arresting the current economic downturn through industrialization.

Commenting on the controversial National Cathedral Project in an exclusive interview with blogger, Ananpansah B. Abraham,he said nothing at this point can save the face of Ghana in the midst of the worsening national crisis, except a shift towards adopting a protectionist policy aimed at boosting rice and sugarcane production.

"Nothing can salvage our economy at this critical stage rather than embarking on a massive industrialization drive. Nigeria in August 2019 implemented a protectionist measure by banning all rice imports and embarked on massive rice production, today they are able to bridge the demand and supply gap of rice. So Mr. President the citizens need food and not a Cathedral,"he noted. 

According to him,the much-talked-about National Cathedral project is a sole promise by the president and there can be no justification for government to invest a whopping $400 million up from the initial $100 million into such a project in a circular country like Ghana at a time when the world's economy is rapidly descending into doldrums with so many challenges.

He's with the firm conviction that part of the funds to be allocated for the national Cathedral project should be used to procure plants for rice processing and value addition to provide jobs for the teaming youth. 

"As of February this year, a complete 40ton/hr rice processing line plant exported to Burkina Faso cost about $160,000, such statistics suggest that with only $100 million the government could procure about 625 or many of these plants or much bigger ones which could produce 25,000 tons of rice per hour relieving the country from some of the burden of Rice importation and ostensibly the pressure it brings on foreign exchange reserves. 

"The remaining balance of $300 million could be channelled into the cultivation of rice and sugarcane and other operation/overhead cost to feed these plants and that of the Komenda Sugar factory,".

In his analysis, quoting from the Observatory of Economic Complexity (OEC world), Ghana in 2020 alone imported $151 million worth of raw Sugar, becoming the 45th largest importer of raw Sugar worldwide. The country also imported $391 million worth of Rice, becoming the 20th largest importer of Rice globally.

In the same year, Rice importation was the 3rd most imported commodity in the country. Ghana imports Rice primarily from: Vietnam ($282 million), Thailand ($45.5 million), India ($27.3 million), Pakistan ($20.6 million), and China ($5.95 million).  

This he said compels the country to outsource employment distorting the external sector by pushing the country much deeper into trade deficit and balance of payment crisis.  

These rice plants he pointed out are energy-friendly, use firewood, solar energy, and diesel to power them,adding that,"in the final analysis, the government will be creating employment, feeding its citizens and also becoming a net exporter of rice and sugar with the by-products from the rice production used for other economic purposes such as sodium for soap manufacture or poultry feed.

Source: Ananpansah Bartholomew Abraham

Assemblyman donates set of football hose to Canteen FC ahead of gala games

Assemblyman donates set of football hose to Canteen FC ahead of gala games

The Assemblyman for the Canteen Electoral Area in the West Gonja Municipal,hon.Ananpansah Bartholomew Abraham in his usual fashion, has donated a set of Football Hose to the Canteen Young Stars Football club ahead of the much anticipated Astro Turf Gala Games.

Made up of 12 pieces in a set,the classic three strip Football Hose is to enhance the uniformity and uniqueness of the team in striving for the ultimate trophy.

The donation according to the honorable man follows a request made to him by the team through the team captain in one of the normal training sessions highly patronized by the Assemblyman.

At a brief ceremony to handover the items,the Assemblyman who always join the team for training encouraged the players to put up their best for the Canteen community.

Whilst pledging the continuous commitment of the office of the Assemblyman as well as the entire Sports Management Committee to the endeavors of the team, the Assemblyman who doubles as the interim Team Financiar said there was a lot of talent inherent in the Canteen team worth unearthing.

He disclosed that it became necessary for him to sponsor the mowing of the Canteen Central Park barely a month ago as a way to facilitate the training of the team, adding that,he will personally take up the transportation cost of the team throughout the period of the matches.

The young Assemblyman called on the entire Canteen Community to arise and support the team both physically, morally, financially to lift the image of the electoral area, urging stakeholders to consider the Canteen Central Park for standard construction as well.

The team Captain, Seidu Muzabiru who received the items on behalf of the team thanked the Assemblyman for the continuous support, describing the gesture as a 'huge relieve.

Like Oliver Twist,he called on the Assemblyman to keep the love and supporting spirit for the team and Canteen as a whole, pledging that they will never let him and the community down.

To him,it is victory all the way for the Canteen this time around.

Source: Office of the Assemblyman, Canteen Electoral Area

Renowned educationist laid to rest amidst rousing farewell

Renowned educationist laid to rest amidst rousing farewell

The mortal remains of a renowned educationist and former Northern Regional Chairman of the Ghana National Association of teachers(GNAT),Sir Emmanuel Kpalsowura Kuntala Ntoba has been laid to rest at his hometown in Busunu, Suburb of Damongo in the West Gonja Municipal of the Savannah Region.

The legendary K. K. Ntoba who served as headmaster for Bole Senior High school and Yendi Senior High School among others passed onto glory on Sunday, 15th May, 2022, at the West Gonja Catholic Hospital after battling a short illness.

The Former educationist was given a rousing farewell at his hometown, Busunu, on Saturday, 4th June, 2022,  by former students, school mates, church Associates,colleagues from the educational sector and members of his home community. Indeed,it is a very long and sorrowful journey!

Biography:

The late Emmanuel Kpalsowura Kuntala Ntoba popularly known as KK Ntoba was born on the 6th of September, 1959, to Chief Kpalsowura Kuntala Ntoba and Madam Tusua Yaw, both of blessed memory.

He was the first of the two children born to his parents and has fourteen other siblings from other two wives of his father.

Mr. Ntoba enrolled into formal education in the year 1966 at the Busunu L/A primary school and proceeded to Damongo for his middle day school where he later gained admission into the St. Charles Minor Seminary/Secondary school in the year 1974 for his GCE 'O' level certificate.This was after passing a very competitive entrance examination.

He proceeded to the Nandom Secondary school where he obtained his 'A' level certificate in 1981 which qualified him to enroll into the university of cape coast where he obtained a Diploma in Basic Education and Bachelor of Arts Degree in English and French.

He did his mandatory one year National Service at the Nkoranza Secondary/Technical school in 1986 and later got recruited as a full time teacher in the same school in 1988, where he provided excellent service as an English teacher until 1990 when he left Ghana for Nigeria.

While in Nigeria, Mr. Ntoba taught in the Ramat Polytechnic, Maiduguri in the Borno state from 1991 to 1992 and later returned to Ghana and continued to teach English language, Literature in English and French from July,1992 to September 1995 in his alma mater, St. charles Minor seminary in Tamale.

The Name K K Ntoba became a household name among students in almost all the secondary schools in Tamale including schools where he did not have a formal teaching engagement because of his exceptional knowledge in English, French and Latin.

In 1995, he was posted to Damongo Secondary school where he taught English language, Literature in english and French until september, 2011, when he was promoted to the rank of Director in the Ghana education service and posted to E.P Agric secondary school in Tatale as headmaster.

Due to his hard work, good managerial and leadership skills, he was again posted to Yendi Senior High school from 2014- 2016 and finally to Bole senior high school from 2016 - 2019 where he went on compulsory retirement at the age of 60.

While in active service, Late K K Ntoba held various positions in many Associations including; Welfare Secretary of GNAT, Nkoranza District(1987 - 1990), Local Chairman of GNAT, Damongo(1998 - 2005), West Gonja District GNAT Chairman( 2012 - 2015), Northern Region Representative to the National GNAT council, Member of the District GNAT council, member of the Regional GNAT council, Northern Regional GNAT chairman for six years, Secretary to Northern Regional CHASS, Board Chairman, Damongo nursing and midwifery training college, member of the Savannah Region Consultative Forum and co - chairperson of the Busunu Professionals Association.

As an ardent Catholic and a believer of Jesus Christ, Mr. Emmanuel Kuntala Ntoba equally devoted his time to the service of God and the Catholic Church as a whole. 

He showed his devotion by joining the Catholic Youth Organization as a young boy and legion of mary as a teenager.

When he became an adult, he was initiated into the Noble Order of the Knights and Ladies Auxiliary of the St John International.

He left behind a wife and five children namely; Alberta Katan Kuntala, Angela Kanyiti Kuntala, Bernard Akumfo Kuntala, Basil Borenyi Kuntala and Anita Besipo - Anye Kuntala.

The funeral ceremony of the late K K Ntoba witnessed the presence of prominent politicians, members of the catholic church in the Damongo Diocese, chiefs and people of Busunu, heads of senior high schools across the five Northern regions, former students  and members of St. John's international.

Source: Ananpansah Bartholomew Abraham