Savanna News - thesavannaonline

Dagbon Overlord Hails Cedi Appreciation, Commends Mahama

The Overlord of Dagbon, His Royal Majesty Yaa Naa Abukari Mahama II, has commended President John Mahama for his appreciation of the Ghanaian cedi.

Dr. Jacob Mahama delivered the message during a courtesy call on Friday, June 13. He said the stronger cedi would support household budgets and strengthen the national economy.

“The drastic drop in the dollar ratio from Gh₵17 to Gh₵11 in less than six months is a remarkable achievement that speaks volumes about your administration’s commitment to prudent economic management,” the chief told the president.

“This significant reduction is not merely a numbered game; it reflects a deliberate effort to stabilise the economy, boost confidence in the cedi, and create a favourable environment for investment and growth,” he added.

Data from the market shows the cedi trading around GH₵10.25 to the US dollar on the interbank market. This is the strongest level in several years. The mid-market rate stands at about $0.0986 to GH₵1.

In late 2024, the cedi had fallen to nearly GH₵16 per dollar. The recent gains show renewed investor confidence.

Observers see this recovery as one of the key economic wins under Mahama’s leadership.

A stronger cedi is expected to reduce the cost of imports, ease inflation, and support long-term growth.

Education Ministry to Establish Islamic Medical School in Northern Ghana

Islamic Medical School in Northern Ghana to established. The Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, states that the government plans to establish an Islamic Medical School in the Northern Region. The school will also serve as a teaching hospital for the University for Development Studies (UDS).

He made this known during a meeting with Qatar’s Ambassador to Ghana, Khalid Bin Jabor Al-Mesallam, in Accra. The meeting was part of efforts to strengthen education ties between Ghana and Qatar.

The Ambassador of the State of Qatar His Excellency Khalid Bin Jabor Al-Mesallam in a meeting with Ghana’s Minister for Education, Honourable Haruna Iddrisu in Accra on 12the June 2025 about an Islamic Medical School in Northern Ghana

Mr. Iddrisu called for support from the Qatar Education Foundation. He requested friendly concessionary financing to assist in building the school. The goal, he explained, is to make medical education more accessible and provide healthcare in the north. He stated that the facility would also serve the members of the local Islamic community.

The minister emphasised the importance of strengthening bilateral cooperation in education. He proposed deeper institutional ties between the two countries’ education ministries. This, he said, would promote the exchange of ideas, knowledge, and investments.

He also announced a plan to review the Islamic curriculum in Ghana’s basic schools. Arabic, he noted, would be introduced from the kindergarten level. This initiative aims to promote early literacy in Arabic among Muslim children.

Mr. Iddrisu said Ghana was eager to participate in the upcoming global Education Conference in Geneva in September 2025. The event would be an opportunity to showcase Ghana’s progress in education on the world stage.

He thanked the ambassador for the visit and expressed hope to arrange a reciprocal visit to Qatar soon to discuss further educational projects.

Ambassador Al-Mesallam welcomed the proposals. He said Qatar was ready to explore opportunities for collaboration. He added that it was important for the two countries to strengthen ties through education.

The ambassador said he looked forward to hosting Ghanaian delegates at the Geneva conference and continuing discussions on joint education efforts.

Mahama to Kick Off Nationwide “Thank You” Tour in Savannah Region

President John Dramani Mahama is set to launch his nationwide “Thank You” tour with a grand rally in the Savannah Region on Saturday, June 14, 2025. The event will take place at 2:00 p.m. at the forecourt of the Jakpa Palace in Damongo.

The tour, designed to express appreciation for the overwhelming support during the 2024 general elections, will also offer the president an opportunity to reconnect with citizens, traditional authorities, and party faithful.

Saturday’s rally is expected to draw a large crowd from across the region, where President Mahama will deliver a message of gratitude and unity while highlighting the importance of inclusive development under his leadership.

The visit will further emphasise his administration’s commitment to flagship initiatives, such as the 24-hour economy programme, which is central to job creation and economic revitalisation efforts across the country.

Mahama Nominates Two for DCE Positions in Northern Region

President John Dramani Mahama has nominated two individuals for District Chief Executive (DCE) roles in the Northern Region, subject to approval by their respective district assemblies.

The nominees are Mary Tagba for the Tatale Sanguli District and Haruna Abudu Karim for the Kpandai District. Their appointments were announced in a statement released on Thursday, June 12, 2025, and signed by the Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Ahmed Ibrahim.

The nominations are under Article 243 of the 1992 Constitution and the Local Governance Act, 2016 (Act 936), as amended by Act 940.

If confirmed, the two will be tasked with leading local development initiatives and representing government at the district level.

Talensi MP Urges Mining Firm to Create Jobs and Support Local Development

The Member of Parliament for Talensi, Daniel Dung Mahama, has called on Earl International Mining Group Gold Ghana Ltd to create more jobs and contribute meaningfully to development in the area.

He made the call during a visit to the company as part of his familiarisation tour of mining operations within the constituency. The MP said the visit was also to introduce himself to management and share concerns raised by his constituents.

He emphasised the importance of responsible mining practices that safeguard the environment and ensure the well-being of communities. Speaking directly to the company’s leadership, he called for open advertising of job opportunities so that qualified but unemployed youth in the area could apply.

“Our young people need a fair chance. If vacancies are published openly, those with the qualifications can step up and help the company grow,” he said.

Mr Mahama also appealed for the company’s support in fixing key roads in the district, especially the Sheaga road, which he described as being in terrible condition.

He didn’t stop there. He urged the company to help with small irrigation dams and provide tractors and inputs for local farmers. “Ten tractors and some basic farm support can help our people farm all year round. That kind of support will be life-changing,” he added.

While acknowledging efforts already made by the mining firm in the area, he said much more could be done to improve lives in Talensi.

In response, the management of Earl International Mining Group Gold Ghana Ltd thanked the MP for the visit and pledged their willingness to work with him and other stakeholders to promote development in the district.

Teenager Jailed 20 Years for Armed Robbery in Wa

A 19-year-old man, Adams Hamidu, also known as Gyida, has been sentenced to 20 years in prison with hard labour by the Wa Circuit Court for armed robbery.

The sentence was delivered on Thursday, June 5, 2025, after the court found him guilty in a case led by the Upper West Regional Police Command.

Hamidu and an accomplice—still on the run—attacked a victim in February 2025. They stole a blue Honda motorbike worth GH¢20,000, a Tecno phone valued at GH¢1,300, and GH¢10,800 in cash.

Police arrested Hamidu on Saturday, June 1, during an intelligence-led operation at Domowa in the Wa West District.

The Upper West Regional Police Command has welcomed the court’s decision. They described it as a victory in the ongoing fight against violent crime. They pledged to continue working to ensure public safety across the region.

Women Farmers Call for Urgent Implementation of Agricultural Master Plan in Northern Ghana

Women farmers in Northern Ghana are urging the government to urgently review and implement a comprehensive agricultural master plan tailored to the five northern regions. They believe such a move is crucial for transforming agriculture in the north, especially in the face of worsening climate change.

The farmers made their call at a women’s empowerment forum in Bolgatanga, Upper East Region. The event was themed “Promoting Sustainable Agriculture for Improved Food Security and Poverty Eradication in Climate-impacted Northern Ghana – The Role of Policy Makers.” It brought together 50 women participants and was organised by the Northern Patriots in Research and Advocacy (NORPRA) under a project supported by the Africa Centre for Energy Policy (ACEP). The project is part of a broader regional initiative known as IREEWAM, which seeks to boost renewable energy investments in agriculture and mining for women across West Africa.

At the forum, participants discussed key government policies affecting women farmers, current interventions by the Northern Development Authority, and the impact of climate change on agriculture in the region.

The women stressed that a well-executed master plan would help the government respond with targeted programmes to increase food production. They requested the speedy implementation of existing initiatives, including the Feed Ghana programme, the Ghana Grains Development Project, the Vegetable Development Project, Nkoko Nkitinkiti, and the Feed the Industry programme, all under the broader Agriculture for Economic Transformation Agenda (AETA).

They also called for modern irrigation support—particularly solar-powered irrigation and other climate-resilient water systems—to enable year-round farming of crops and livestock.

Professor David Millar, an expert in agricultural and environmental sciences, added his voice to the call. He stated that empowering women farmers within the agricultural value chain was crucial for national food security. According to him, future agricultural policies must disaggregate data to better support both male and female farmers. “We need parallel programmes that directly benefit women farmers,” he stressed.

He also encouraged civil society groups and NGOs to design and implement support systems tailored specifically to women.

Dr Samuel Akonga, an Environment and Climate Change Consultant and lecturer at Bolgatanga Technical University, highlighted the importance of women understanding climate change. He said that climate awareness would help them adopt more effective farming techniques. “Their shift toward climate-smart agriculture will boost food production,” he noted. Dr Akonga also warned about the environmental impact of tree cutting, which he said was contributing to irregular rainfall in the north.

Upper East Regional Director of Agriculture, Alhaji Fuseini Zakaria, reaffirmed the central role women play in agriculture. He urged them to be proactive in seizing opportunities from government and NGO-led initiatives to increase food production and improve their livelihoods.

Albert Sore readies for GJA Chairmanship in Upper East

Albert Sore, a long-serving journalist and the current Upper East Regional Secretary of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has declared his intention to contest for the position of Regional Chairman in the upcoming GJA elections slated for June 30, 2025.

In a statement released on June 5, Albert Sore confirmed that he has filed his nomination and successfully completed the vetting process. His decision, he explained, follows persistent encouragement from colleagues across the region who believe in his ability to lead the association into a new and more active phase.

Mr Albert Sore, who has informally been filling the leadership vacuum since the relocation of outgoing Chairman William N. Jalulah, is not new to responsibility. Jalulah, after three years at the helm, is stepping down to take on a new role at the Media Foundation for West Africa in Accra. In the meantime, Sore has already shown signs of what a steady hand at the wheel could mean for the association.

With over a decade of newsroom experience at Joy News, the Multimedia Group, and A1 Radio, Sore brings more than just media credentials to the table. He speaks with the clarity of someone who understands the weight of leadership and the value of community. He wants to build a more visible, responsive, and functional GJA branch—one where journalists can find support in times of need, grow through regular training, and see their voices reflected in the association’s decisions.

Female journalists, he insists, will not be sidelined under his watch. He believes their talents and perspectives are essential to a stronger media front in the region. He is determined to provide a permanent home for the association through the establishment of a regional secretariat—a space where the GJA can operate with purpose and presence.

Sore is no stranger to results. “I come forward with a good track record,” he said, pointing to the nearly threefold increase in membership under his joint stewardship with the outgoing executive. Together, they revived the regional awards, hosted national events such as the World Press Freedom Day Lecture, and secured funding through well-crafted proposals to train journalists on emerging issues, including climate change.

A detailed policy document, he revealed, will be shared with members in the coming days. But for now, he says, his message is simple: the Upper East GJA deserves strong, inclusive, and consistent leadership—and he is ready to provide it.