The World Bank has lauded Ghana’s progress under the Gulf of Guinea Northern Regions Social Cohesion (SOCO) Project, highlighting the initiative’s success in surpassing its initial targets and achieving results that exceed expectations.

This endorsement came from Mr. Robin Mearns, the World Bank’s Global Director for Social Development, who led a high-level delegation to visit SOCO project sites. The delegation engaged with key stakeholders to review the project’s midterm progress, strengthen partnerships, and explore opportunities for further expansion.

“The SOCO Project is not just meeting but surpassing its targets. It is bringing significant economic growth to areas that have long lacked investment. The project’s scale and inclusiveness are truly impressive, and I strongly urge for further funding to extend its impact to more vulnerable districts,” Mr. Mearns commented.

During their visit, the delegation explored various community interventions along the Salaga corridor, including a CHPS compound and a guinea fowl rearing project.

Mr. Mearns shared the inspiring story of Fatima, a local farmer who saw her guinea fowl stock grow from 30 to over 100 birds thanks to SOCO’s support.

“Fatima’s story illustrates how SOCO is enhancing local livelihoods and strengthening resilience,” he said.

The delegation also interacted with other income-generating groups, including the Shishegu Soap Makers, and toured a newly constructed livestock market. These activities are part of SOCO’s Local Economic Development (LED) component, which focuses on sustainable community empowerment.

The Northern Regional Minister, Mr. Ali Adolf John, praised the project for addressing infrastructure deficiencies and social vulnerability in the six Northern regions. He emphasised that SOCO’s integrated approach is fostering peaceful and thriving communities.

SOCO Project Coordinator, Ms. Elizabeth Ohenewah Agyei, shared that the first cycle of the project had delivered 530 community infrastructure subprojects, with 489 completed and handed over by February 2025. These include 33 roads and culverts, 59 educational facilities, 66 health centres, 210 water systems, and 73 rural markets. Additionally, more than 6,200 jobs, many for women, youth, and people with disabilities, have been created, and 744 livelihood groups with over 24,000 members have received support to enhance local productivity.

Ms. Agyei also noted that the second cycle is underway, aiming to deliver 680 more subprojects across 48 districts. “The SOCO Project is about more than just infrastructure,” she said. “It’s about fostering community ownership and participation. Our goal is to strengthen the social fabric through inclusive leadership and shared responsibility, which are fundamental to social cohesion.”

The delegation also attended the inauguration of the Tamale Metropolitan Youth Parliament, a civic engagement initiative under SOCO that promotes youth involvement in governance and peacebuilding.

Mr. Nicolas Perrin, World Bank’s Practice Manager for Social Sustainability and Inclusion in West Africa, described the Youth Parliament as a model for other regions to replicate.

“This Youth Parliament exemplifies civic inclusion and leadership development,” he said.

Funded by the World Bank and implemented by the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy, and Religious Affairs, the SOCO Project operates in 48 selected districts across Ghana’s six northern regions. It focuses on building inclusive, peaceful, and economically empowered communities in the northern border zones.

A significant relief has come to the Anafobisi Primary A School community after a philanthropist stepped in to re-roof the school building, which was utterly destroyed by a windstorm. This intervention has provided much-needed support to parents, teachers, students, and community leaders.

Following the devastating windstorm, absenteeism increased as many students struggled to attend classes after a three-unit classroom block that housed several learners was destroyed.

On March 10, 2025, a severe windstorm struck the Upper East Region, causing widespread damage. In Bongo, it left behind a trail of destruction, including the classrooms at Anafobisi Primary A School, which was already grappling with inadequate infrastructure.

As a result, school authorities were forced to relocate students to makeshift spaces, with some sitting under a poorly constructed pavilion, others gathering under a baobab tree, and the Upper Primary students occupying a church. The move left students without proper writing boards, with teachers resorting to verbal lessons and occasionally letting the children take turns writing on the board instead of using their textbooks.

In an interview with Dreamz News, Hannah Asanyuure Talata, the Assembly Member of the Anafobisi Electoral Area, expressed her heartfelt appreciation to the philanthropist, who wished to remain anonymous, and to Maltaaba Community Bank for their invaluable support in re-roofing the school.

Maltaaba Community Bank donated 10 packs of roofing sheets. At the same time, Alagumgube, a local development group, contributed teaching and learning materials as a temporary solution.

The Tamale High Court has convicted six individuals in a payroll fraud case involving the Ghana Education Service (GES). The defendants, including school administrators, payroll officers, and accountants, pleaded guilty under the Office of the Special Prosecutor’s (OSP) plea bargaining framework.

The convicted individuals were found to have illicitly reactivated and validated salary payments for a teacher who had long since vacated their position. This fraudulent activity led to the unauthorised payment of GHS 86,000. Court documents revealed that all embezzled funds have been recovered, with a total restitution of GHS 106,319.64.

The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) announced that investigations into the case are ongoing, with other individuals under investigation. The office handles six other criminal trials in Accra, Tamale, and Kumasi.

“This conviction represents our ongoing commitment to protecting public funds,” an OSP spokesperson said. The office declined to provide further details about additional suspects under investigation.

The Deputy Minister of Education, Dr Clement Apaak, has reaffirmed President John Dramani Mahama’s commitment to fostering inclusive education that empowers Ghanaians to succeed in a knowledge-based economy.

He emphasised that key initiatives, such as the government’s Free Senior High School policy and the No Fee Stress initiative, are central to realising this vision.

Dr Clement Apaak made these comments while addressing the Relief and Aid International Educational Scholarship recipients on Sunday, May 11, 2025.

“Through your scholarship programs, you are not just removing financial barriers; you are also igniting hope, unlocking potential, and fostering service-oriented leadership in the next generation. This perfectly aligns with the government of Ghana’s educational agenda to provide inclusive, equitable, and relevant education that empowers every Ghanaian to thrive in a knowledge-based economy,” he said.

“We are building a system that leaves no learner behind,” Dr. Apaak added.

The Founder and President of Relief and Aid International, Peggy Adamafio, encouraged the beneficiaries to demonstrate their worthiness for the awards and contribute to a better society.

“Carry this torch with humility, and always remember the hands that lifted you in your time of need. One day, it will be your turn to extend your hand to someone else,” she remarked.

Assembly Members of the Bole Municipality in the Savannah Region have overlooked emotional blackmail and protests from some youth groups, formally endorsing Abdulai Mahamud as the President’s nominee for Municipal Chief Executive (MCE).

The confirmation process took place amid rising tensions in the district capital, Bole, but a combined security team led by the Savannah Regional Security Council (REGSEC) successfully maintained peace and order throughout the event.

Mr. Mahamud, a young educationist from Bamboi, a suburb within the municipality, received strong support, securing 34 ‘Yes’ votes against 5 ‘No’ votes—an approval rate of 87%. He becomes the ninth Chief Executive of the Bole Municipal Assembly and the second person from Bamboi to hold this prestigious position.

In his acceptance speech, the newly confirmed MCE, a teacher, farmer, and politician, thanked the Assembly Members for their confidence in him and promised to focus on driving development within the municipality.

Since its establishment in 1988, the Bole Municipal Assembly has had nine Municipal Chief Executives, including three women and six men. Mr. Mahamud is the second native of Bamboi to assume the role, following James Jaaga’s tenure in 2012.

Kodu Pad, an innovation from the heart of thesavanna. In many regions of Africa, menstrual health presents significant obstacles for millions of young girls. Without access to affordable and hygienic sanitary products, these girls often miss school, avoid social interactions, and lose confidence. However, one Ghanaian startup is trying to change this by converting agricultural waste into sustainable and accessible menstrual hygiene products.

Kodu Technology, a social enterprise co-founded by Iddi Mohammed Faried, Mubaraka Umar Farouk, and Longi Aadam Hayendimah, is transforming plantain and banana waste into eco-friendly, affordable sanitary pads. With a foundation built on innovation, sustainability, and social justice, Kodu Technology aims to make menstrual hygiene products more accessible to those in need.

“At Kodu Technology, we believe no girl should have to miss out on life because of her period, and no resource should go to waste. Turning plantain and banana waste into sanitary pads is not just innovation; it’s dignity, sustainability, and impactful action,” said Iddi Mohammed Faried.

Kodu Technology’s approach addresses two critical issues: period poverty and the environmental impact of agricultural waste. By utilising fibrous materials from agrarian residues—waste that would otherwise decay or be burned—the startup creates biodegradable, high-absorbency sanitary pads that are both safe for women and environmentally friendly.

Support from organisations like the Kosmos Innovation Centre (KIC) and the Mastercard Foundation has been instrumental in the growth of Kodu Technology. The startup received funding through KIC’s AgriTech Challenge and Incubation Programs, which support startups from concept to accelerated growth, investor readiness, and scaling. Following their participation in KIC’s program, Kodu Technology has also secured additional funding from other organisations. In 2023, they were named winners of the Circular Economy Competition. In 2024, they won the Go Gettaz Agripreneur prize, beating other African startups to earn funding to expand their operations.

“At KIC, we support businesses that tackle real-world problems with innovative, locally driven solutions. Kodu Technology is an excellent example of how agribusiness innovation can go beyond food production to solve broader social challenges and promote sustainability and youth empowerment,” said Benjamin Gyan-Kesse, Executive Director of KIC.

Kodu Technology’s impact extends far beyond product innovation. The company is also a champion of rural empowerment, working with women’s groups and smallholder farmers to source raw materials and distribute the final products. In doing so, Kodu Technology is creating jobs, supporting local economies, and raising awareness about menstrual health and hygiene.

Thanks to their community-driven approach, hundreds of girls and women now have access to safe menstrual products, often for the first time. Schools in underserved areas also benefit, as Kodu Technology leads educational programs that break the stigma surrounding menstruation and foster open conversations.

Kodu Technology’s work has earned recognition from various development partners and innovation hubs in Ghana and beyond. As the company expands, its vision remains focused on transforming menstrual health access across Africa.

With continued support from KIC and the Mastercard Foundation, Kodu Technology is proving that girls deserve better and that innovation, grounded in local realities, can spark global change.

The Medical Superintendent of the Evangelical Church of Ghana (ECG) Hospital in Kpandai, Northern Region, Dr. Sonlary Joseph, has made a heartfelt appeal to the government, non-governmental organisations, corporate bodies, and well-meaning individuals to support the completion of a long-abandoned mortuary project at the facility.

According to Dr. Joseph, construction of the mortuary began two years ago but has since stalled due to financial constraints.

While the building structure has been completed, the facility remains non-functional as the critical installation of the cold room is yet to be carried out.

In an interview with Adom News correspondent Odehyeba Owusu Job, Dr. Joseph expressed concern over the impact of the incomplete mortuary on the local community.

“The incomplete mortuary has been a challenge for our community for far too long. As a medical doctor, I’ve seen firsthand the difficulties it poses for our deceased loved ones and their families,” he said.

He explained that in the absence of a functioning mortuary, families are forced to transport their deceased relatives to distant towns, adding emotional and financial strain during an already difficult time.

Dr. Joseph stressed that completing the mortuary would restore dignity to the handling of the dead and provide immense relief to bereaved families in Kpandai and surrounding communities.

He called on stakeholders, especially philanthropists and benevolent institutions, to partner with the hospital to complete the project and improve healthcare infrastructure in the district.

In celebration of Mother’s Day on Sunday, the Sung Biela Foundation Ghana brought joy to 40 single mothers and widows in Bawku, located in the Kusaug Traditional Area of the Upper East Region.

The Foundation, renowned for its community empowerment programs, hosted a special event to honour, support, and uplift women raising children alone or having lost their husbands.

The 40 selected women from seven different communities were presented with rice, cooking oil, mackerel, clothes, and undisclosed cash support. This initiative aimed to help ease their daily challenges and to show them that their struggles are seen and valued.

Many women, visibly moved by the gesture, shared how much the support meant to them. Alimatu Iddrisu, a widow, expressed her gratitude: “The gift makes me feel seen. At least today, I know someone remembers me.”

Another widow, Anaba Gladys, also shared her appreciation: “It’s not easy to provide for your children. This support gives me some relief. May God bless the Foundation.”

The women also called for continued support in the form of livelihood training and education for their children, believing that such help would impact their lives.

At the event, Jacob Ayanaba, Programme Coordinator of the Sung Biela Foundation Ghana, emphasised that this initiative aligned with their mission to empower vulnerable women.

“This Mother’s Day, we chose to honour single mothers and widows because they are the silent heroes. They carry heavy responsibilities and often do so with little support. Today, we say, ‘We see you. We value you,” he said.

He also took a moment to acknowledge those who make such initiatives possible:

“We’re grateful to our active supporters and donors whose generosity keeps this work going. Special thanks go to Mrs. Naa Maamiley Addy for her continued commitment to the vulnerable in our communities. Her support has touched many lives, and we are proud to work with people like her.”

Mr. Ayanaba further shared that the Foundation plans to roll out skills training and small business support for women in the area.

“Beyond today, we want to equip women to earn income through poultry farming, soap making, or petty trading. That’s our next step.”

The residents of Bawku have praised the Foundation for recognising the contributions of women who are often overlooked during celebrations.

One local resident remarked, “In our culture, mothers are the backbone of the family. What Sung Biela Foundation has done today is not just charity—it is honouring tradition.”

The Sung Biela Foundation Ghana is calling on individuals, corporate bodies, and NGOs to partner with it to reach more vulnerable groups in the Upper East Region.

“Our work is just beginning. With more support, we can touch more lives,” Mr. Ayanaba said.

Sung Biela Foundation Ghana is a community-focused NGO that promotes peace, education, and economic empowerment in the Upper East Region. It was founded to build stronger, self-reliant communities throughout northern Ghana.