The morning after the devastating rainstorm on May 22, 2025, Sawaliga Basic School in the Talensi District was left unrecognisable. What once was a vibrant school block was now filled with mangled roofing sheets, broken wooden beams, and scattered debris. The storm had not only left the children without a school but also endangered their lives.

Seidu Agongo’s Heartfelt Response

When Seidu Agongo, a philanthropist and businessman, saw the viral photos of the storm’s aftermath, he was deeply moved. He could not bear to watch the suffering of the students, knowing they were left stranded in the debris. Agongo, feeling the weight of responsibility as a father figure to these children, said the images were not just pictures—they were his children, Ghana’s future, sitting and loitering in the dirt amidst broken materials. Without waiting for bureaucratic delays, Seidu Agongo immediately took action. He called contractors and set the process of rebuilding into motion.

A Miracle in Three Weeks

What followed was truly miraculous. Within just three weeks, the school was completely transformed. The once-destroyed building was now a modern, beautiful structure. The new roof gleamed in the sunlight, freshly painted walls brightened the classrooms, and sturdy floors replaced the debris-strewn ground. Students who had once studied under trees now walked through hallways filled with hope. This transformation, thanks to Seidu Agongo’s immediate intervention, gave them a new environment to thrive and prepare for their exams just weeks away.

Community’s Deep Gratitude to Seidu Agongo

The community’s appreciation for Seidu Agongo’s generosity was overwhelming. During the commissioning of the refurbished school, elders and residents praised him for his timely intervention. Seidu Agongo’s commitment to the students’ education and well-being was honoured with a citation, a sheep, and a smock—symbols of deep respect and gratitude for his compassionate action.

Restoring Education’s Foundation

While challenges like space constraints remained—three classes still shared one room—the foundation for learning had been restored. The students now had the hope of a better future, and the teachers had renewed purpose. Seidu Agongo’s work not only repaired a school but also reignited the community’s belief in the power of kindness and action. As he humbly stated, “Education is the foundation of our nation’s future, and if we can intervene to help, it helps.”

A Legacy of Compassion

The transformation of Sawaliga Basic School under Seidu Agongo’s guidance stands as a testament to the power of compassion and community action. His kindness turned what seemed like an impossible crisis into an inspiring story of resilience and hope. The students now walk into classrooms filled with potential, and their dreams of a brighter future have been restored. Seidu Agongo’s story reminds us all that sometimes, the most powerful changes come from the least expected places, and through kindness, lives can be transformed.

In a significant step towards promoting gender equity and rural transformation, IDEAS Ghana, an NGO focused on community development, has spearheaded an initiative in the Bawku West District of the Upper East Region aimed at enhancing women’s access to land for agricultural purposes. The project, which has received support from Africa Action, Germany, is a milestone in the effort to secure land rights for women, who make up a significant portion of the agricultural labour force in Ghana.

A Collaborative Commitment to Change

The initiative brought together traditional leaders, assembly members, and community stakeholders from 11 communities to formally commit, in writing, to allocating fertile land for women’s use in climate-smart farming. This collaboration was the result of extensive community engagement, including dialogue sessions held in May this year in communities such as Kpalsako, Farig, Kamenga, Gbere, Tarikom, Kabore, Bugoure, Goosise, Azupopunga, Widnaba, and Komaka.

Addressing the Gender Land Ownership Gap

Dr. Joseph Ayembilla, Executive Director of IDEAS Ghana, noted during the engagement at Zebilla that women constitute nearly 70% of Ghana’s agricultural labour force but own less than 10% of the land. In subsistence-farming areas like Bawku West, this imbalance has perpetuated cycles of poverty and deprivation. Dr. Ayembilla emphasised that land is not only a means of production but also a vital source of security, identity, and resilience, especially for women in rural communities.

Overcoming Structural Barriers to Land Access

For years, women in the district have faced significant structural barriers to land access due to cultural norms, inheritance rules, and discriminatory land tenure systems. The new initiative is a direct intervention aimed at changing both mindsets and policies at the community level, making land access for women a reality.

Women’s Testimonies Spark Change

“These discussions are not just ceremonial,” Dr. Ayembilla stated. “They are platforms for truth, empathy, and action.” Women shared their struggles, from renting small, unproductive lands to relying on male relatives for access to land. These real-life testimonies had a profound impact, sparking the necessary change in the views of community leaders on land access.

Shifting Traditional Norms

Though traditional leaders expressed concerns about the limitations of the existing land tenure system, they also acknowledged that excluding women from decision-making over land use was no longer acceptable. Motivated by the initiative and the women’s experiences, the community chiefs and elders agreed to break traditional norms, endorsing the allocation of specific plots of land to women for long-term use.

Binding Commitments for Long-Term Change

The resolutions made during these discussions are now binding commitments at the community level, setting a precedent for locally driven land reforms. These resolutions serve as a powerful example of the progress that can be achieved when communities come together for change. As Chief Naba Mark Abuguraug Awingura of Gbere stated, “We cannot develop if more than half of our farmers, our women, are denied access to productive land. If women thrive, the whole community thrives.”

Laying the Foundation for Inclusive Land Governance

The initiative to secure land for women builds upon an earlier workshop held in 2024, which focused on inclusive land governance and sustainable agricultural practices. IDEAS Ghana used this foundation to expand its advocacy efforts, encouraging the community to adopt climate-smart agricultural practices as part of a shared development goal.

Land as a Developmental Right

IDEAS Ghana reiterated that access to land must be viewed as a developmental right, rather than a charitable gesture. Recognising women as rightful land users is essential for unlocking the economic potential of rural communities. The initiative marks a significant shift in how land access is viewed. It is a decisive step towards ensuring gender equity in rural development.

Amnesty International Ghana (AI Ghana) has called on the Government of Ghana to take decisive action to resolve the ongoing Bawku conflict, ensuring lasting peace and protecting innocent lives. The call was made on Friday, June 27, 2025, in response to the continued violence in the region.

Demand for Immediate Action – AI Ghana

AI Ghana, a local chapter of the global human rights organisation, emphasised that the lives of people in Bawku are as valuable as those in any other part of the country. Mr. Francis Nyantakyi, the Board Chairman of AI Ghana, urged the government to “end the silence” and take transparent steps to mediate, rebuild trust between the feuding factions, and protect civilians from further harm.

Speaking at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of AI Ghana, Mr Nyantakyi expressed concern about the government’s failure to address the prolonged violence in Bawku, which has resulted in the displacement of families, loss of lives, and a pervasive sense of fear. He criticised the government’s silence and indecisiveness, which he said “speak louder than any statement.”

The Growing Crisis of Illegal Mining

In addition to the Bawku crisis, Mr. Nyantakyi raised alarm about the growing issue of illegal mining in the country. He highlighted the urgent need to address illicit mining not just as an environmental issue but as a significant human rights crisis. The destructive effects of illegal mining, including toxic rivers, contaminated food chains, destroyed farmlands, and collapsing health systems, reflect a failure in leadership and enforcement.

Mr. Nyantakyi also noted the growing danger faced by those who speak out against these practices. Journalists, traditional leaders, and youth activists have been met with harassment, police violence, and laws that silence their efforts to expose the crisis. He urged the government to treat illegal mining as a human rights issue and to demonstrate political will by prosecuting those involved, including financiers and perpetrators of galamsey.

Protecting Free Expression and Strengthening Institutions

Furthermore, Mr. Nyantakyi urged the government to ensure that communities affected by the environmental impact of illegal mining receive adequate compensation and support for rebuilding. He also emphasised the need for legal reforms to prevent law enforcement from being used to suppress free expression and criticism.

Strengthening independent institutions was another key point of Nyantakyi’s speech. He urged that bodies like the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice, the National Media Commission, and the Judiciary must be shielded from political interference to effectively carry out their duties and protect the constitutional rights of citizens.

International and Regional Collaboration

The AGM, which took place in Fiapre, near Sunyani, was attended by several prominent figures, including Mrs Easily Nemitz, Board Chair of AI, and Dr Julia Duchrow, Secretary General of AI Germany, along with representatives from AI chapters in Nigeria, Burkina Faso, and Côte d’Ivoire. The four-day forum, themed “Resilience in a Restricted Civic Space,” continues to focus on critical human rights issues facing Ghana and the wider region.

Amnesty International Ghana’s call for decisive government action on the Bawku conflict and illegal mining highlights the urgent need for leadership that prioritises peace, human rights, and environmental justice.

Norsaac, an organisation dedicated to enhancing the lives of women, youth, and marginalised groups, has successfully graduated 30 youth artisans in Tamale, located in the Northern Region. This milestone comes after an intensive training program designed to equip these young individuals with valuable skills in tailoring, tile laying, and construction.

Skills Training for the Future by Norsaac

The graduates underwent upgraded skills training in their chosen crafts, enhancing their expertise and marketability. Upon completion, they were provided with essential toolkits, grants, and mentorship to help them build and sustain their businesses. This support is designed to not only improve their skills but also to increase their earning potential.

Empowering Youth, Especially Women

Madam Hafsatu Sey Sumani, Head of Programme Policy and Influencing at Norsaac, emphasised the project’s alignment with the organisation’s core mission: empowering young people, especially women, with the tools to create sustainable livelihoods. She highlighted the importance of providing technical assistance and financial support to help these young artisans thrive.

“I believe that if the beneficiaries also train young people from their communities, it will help reduce the Kayayei issue in the region, especially among girls aged 10-15 years,” said Madam Sumani. By fostering skills development, the organisation aims to break the cycle of poverty and offer young women an alternative to precarious employment.

Norsaac’s Commitment to Youth Empowerment

Madam Sumani assured that Norsaac will continue its efforts to support youth through skills development programs. The organisation’s ultimate goal is to help these young artisans become influential leaders in their communities, driving positive change and creating opportunities for others.

Through this initiative, the organisation not only addresses immediate economic challenges but also plants the seeds for long-term social impact, offering a brighter future for youth and their communities.

Alaptawan has earned a reputation as the only female Dancehall artiste to stay grinding from the entire savanna of Ghana. With a steady climb, she’s endeared herself into the hearts of many music lovers and the music industry as a whole. The fierce goddess seems to never wanna rest. After releasing Big God a few months ago, one of Ghana’s finest reggae/dancehall vocalist Ras Kuuku has jumped on a remix. This further validates her stature as a major force waiting explode and dominate the dancehall scene.

Checkout Big God by Alaptawan Ft Ras Kuuku on all streaming platforms including Youtube.

Alima By Marcel is another beautiful tune from the Upper West Region. Produced by Alienbeatz who is same as Marcel, Alima is another impressive addition to his enviable repertoire.

Checkout out curated playlist featuring the latest songs from the north of Ghana.

I Do by Nazz Official ft Lazzy Bwoy is another beautiful wedding sog from the sultry singer Nazz Official. This time around, it’s an unreleased collaboration between the late Lazzy Bwoy known for his angelic voice. Suffice to say we have two humid voices on a wedding song. That is definitely serenading. Looks like we have another wedding banger from Nazz Official.

While at it, we continue to ask for a good rest for Lazzy Bwoy.

Checkout out curated playlist featuring the latest songs from the north of Ghana.

Nabilaa is Shatta Pique’s latest. Featuring one the finest rappers from the Navrongo area, the song is an interesting fusion of contemporary and indigenous musical instruments. Carlblingx who is featured on the song brings in that smooth but witty flow he’s renowned for.

Checkout out curated playlist featuring the latest songs from the north of Ghana.