Month: July 2025

Issahaku Waris, a 31-year-old man, has been sentenced to seven years in prison for defiling a five-year-old girl in Wa Zongo in the Upper West Region. The sentence was delivered by the Wa Circuit Court on Friday, July 18, 2025, under the authority of His Lordship Jonathan Avogo.

The incident happened on Thursday, April 24, 2025. Waris was arrested two days later, on April 26, by officers from the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit of the Ghana Police Service.

According to the Upper West Regional Police Command, the arrest and subsequent trial were made possible through a careful investigation. The support of the victim’s family and community members played a crucial role in the process.

Deputy Regional Police Commander Peter Kwamena Kamasa noted that the Command remains vigilant in addressing crimes involving children and urges the public to report such cases without hesitation. He also emphasised that protecting children’s rights is not only a law enforcement duty but a shared responsibility for all members of society.

The case has sent shockwaves through Wa Zongo, highlighting the urgent need for vigilance and stronger community involvement in safeguarding children from abuse.

Farmlands Under Siege

In Tumtumba, part of the Bole-Bamboi Municipality, illegal miners have invaded farmlands. Farmers say they’ve been pushed off lands they’ve worked on for years.

Threats Silence Communities

Residents tried to stop the destruction but were met with death threats. Community leaders say the threats have forced them into silence and fear.

Political Cover Alleged

Locals accuse some political party executives of protecting the miners. These operations involve both Ghanaian and Chinese nationals, according to residents.

Black Volta Under Threat

The Yonkamba Stream, a key tributary of the Black Volta, has been blocked for illegal mining. What was once a clean water source is now sludge, unusable for farming or drinking.

Farming Grinds to a Halt

With streams polluted and farmlands taken over, farmers are struggling to grow crops. Many now face food insecurity and loss of income.

A Call to the President

Frustrated and desperate, the people of Tumtumba are calling on the President to act. They want immediate intervention to protect the land, water, and livelihoods in his hometown.

The Overlord of Mamprugu, Naa Bohagu Mahami Abdulai Sheriga, has made a courtesy visit to President John Dramani Mahama in Accra to express gratitude for the positive developments witnessed in the Northeast Region over the past six months. This visit also served as a platform to follow up on key promises made by the President during his recent “Thank You” tour of the region.

Acknowledging Progress in the Region

According to the North East Regional Minister, Hon. Ibrahim Tia, the meeting at the Jubilee House would acknowledge the progress made in the region, while also reminding President Mahama of specific commitments made during his visit. “The people of Mamprugu have seen progress in several areas, and the Overlord is here to acknowledge that. At the same time, we are here to remind the President of some of the commitments he made to the region, especially those that directly impact the lives of our people,” Hon. Tia explained.

Focus on Youth Employment and Rural Development

Accompanying Naa Bohagu Mahami Abdulai Sheriga was Abdul Majeed Imusah, the Public Relations Officer of the Mamprugu Youth Association. Imusah expressed optimism about the continued peace and unity in the region, emphasising the importance of youth employment in rural communities. He appealed to President Mahama to prioritise youth employment initiatives as a means to reduce rural-urban migration, which has become a pressing challenge for many young people in the region.

“We are optimistic that with sustained efforts, the entire North East Region will continue to enjoy harmony. But we also urge the President to make youth employment in rural communities a top priority. This will help curb rural-urban migration, which remains a major challenge for our young people,” said Imusah.

Strengthening Government-Traditional Leadership Collaboration

This courtesy call marks a significant milestone in fostering a stronger collaboration between traditional leadership and the government. The Mamprugu Overlord’s visit aims to promote inclusive development in the northern regions of Ghana, ensuring that both traditional authorities and the government work hand in hand for the betterment of the people.

With this continued dialogue, there is hope that the partnership between the government and traditional institutions will help address pressing issues, such as youth employment, infrastructure development, and social well-being, in Ghana’s northern regions.

The Ghana Education Service (GES) has announced plans to extend the highly successful GES-Lively Minds kindergarten programme to all 16 regions in the country. The programme, which has already yielded impressive results in northern Ghana, aims to enhance early childhood education nationwide.

Success in the North and Nationwide Rollout

The GES-Lively Minds programme, which initially operated in 64 districts in eight northern regions, has seen remarkable improvements in school enrolment, retention rates, and the cognitive, emotional, and physical development of children. With a focus on play-based learning and parental involvement, the programme has already reached over 3,500 schools and impacted more than 290,000 children.

International Support and Impact

Funded by a consortium of international partners, including USAID, UNICEF, Global Innovation Fund, and the French Innovation Fund, the programme is being implemented with technical support from Lively Minds, a UK-based NGO specialising in early childhood development. The initiative operates through three key components: Play Schemes, led by trained mothers; Monthly Parenting Courses; and the active involvement of Kindergarten Teachers.

Parental Engagement and Play-Based Learning

One of the programme’s standout features is its focus on training mothers to lead educational games and storytelling for children aged three to six, bridging the gap between home and school learning environments. The approach has significantly increased parental engagement, a critical factor in early childhood development.

Positive Results and National Expansion

During a monitoring visit to the Upper East Region, Ms. Adisa Tassa, the National Director of Early Childhood Education at GES, announced that the programme would soon be rolled out nationwide. She highlighted the success in northern Ghana, including increased enrolment and improved academic outcomes. The programme has already attracted attention from other countries, such as Ethiopia and Uganda, which are studying Ghana’s model for improving early childhood education.

Real-Life Success Stories

At Azudoone Primary School in the Kassena-Nankana West District, Headteacher Mr. Akubase Dominic reported significant improvements in both enrolment and academic performance since the introduction of the programme. Previously low kindergarten enrolment and retention rates have seen a dramatic turnaround, particularly for children involved in the play schemes.

Transformative Effects on Parents and Communities

Mothers involved in the programme have shared how it has transformed their parenting skills. Many have revived traditional learning games and adopted new skills, such as time management and preparing nutritious meals. For instance, Madam Lydia Adogbire praised the cultural relevance of the activities. At the same time, Mrs. Apala Hammedu highlighted the positive impact on her family’s well-being.

A Proven, Research-Based Approach

The programme’s design is based on years of research and testing, including a Randomised Controlled Trial conducted by the Institute for Fiscal Studies (UK) and Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA Ghana). The results showed that children in the programme achieved learning gains equivalent to an extra year of schooling. Following the success of the pilot phase, the Ministry of Education fully adopted the programme in 2019. In 2021, a partnership agreement with GES facilitated the national scale-up.

Sustainable, Cost-Effective Model

Mr. James Adongo Awini, Director of Programme Delivery for Lively Minds in Ghana and Uganda, emphasised that the programme is both cost-effective and sustainable, relying on local kindergarten teachers, district education officers, and regional directors to ensure successful implementation and accountability.

Parental Involvement: Key to Success

Lively Minds CEO, Ms. Alison Naftalin, commended the programme’s impact and emphasised the importance of continued parental involvement. She noted that “quality early childhood development is achievable in rural areas when parents, especially mothers, are actively involved.”

Beneficiary Districts and Future Goals

Currently, districts in the Upper East Region benefiting from the programme include Builsa North and South, Kassena-Nankana West, Talensi, Bolgatanga East, Bawku West, Binduri, Garu, and Tempane. The national expansion will continue to promote early childhood development, laying a strong foundation for the country’s future generations.

Professor Emmanuel K. Derbile, Vice Chancellor of SDD-University of Business and Integrated Development Studies (SDD-UBIDS), emphasised the need for concerted efforts to protect shea trees for future generations. Recognising their significant economic and medicinal value, he called for a community-based approach to safeguarding the shea landscape, with effective leadership and stakeholder commitment.

The Importance of Shea Trees

Speaking at the 2025 Shea Day Celebration in Sankana, Nadowli-Kaleo District, Professor Derbile underscored the vital role the shea industry plays in environmental sustainability, women’s empowerment, and economic development. The event, organised by the Global Shea Alliance (GSA), also marked the launch of the Ghana Shea Landscape Emission Reductions Project (GSLERP), which aims to plant 3.5 million shea trees across northern Ghana.

Policy and Protection for Sustainability

While celebrating the efforts to plant shea trees, Prof. Derbile urged the establishment of a deliberate policy framework to protect the shea landscape. “To achieve sustainability beyond this launch, we need to ensure proper mechanisms for taking care of the trees,” he said. He also highlighted the contributions of SDD-UBIDS, which has planted 8,000 tree seedlings, including shea, with plans for further planting.

Commitment to Climate Resilience and Economic Empowerment

Rt. Hon. Alban S. K. Bagbin, Speaker of Parliament, pledged parliamentary support for the GSLERP. In a speech delivered by Prof. Damasus Tuurosung, Mr. Bagbin emphasised that the project would contribute to Ghana’s climate resilience while also empowering rural women economically and promoting sustainable land management.

Collaboration for a Greener Future

Dr. Abdul-Razak Saeed, Head of Environment and Climate at UNDP, expressed optimism about the shea tree’s potential to boost Ghana’s economic growth. He encouraged further collaboration between the government, private sector, and communities to protect the shea landscape. Mr. Charles Lwanga Puozuing, the Minister of the Upper West Region, also reiterated that the initiative would complement the government’s efforts in restoring degraded lands and combating climate change.

A Call to Action for Shea Tree Protection

Madam Portia Alale, Vice President of the Sankana Co-operative Association, highlighted the growing issue of charcoal burning, which poses a threat to the shea tree despite its numerous benefits. She urged individuals and organisations to take immediate action to protect the shea tree from destruction.