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Happy Man Foundation Donates to Schools in Upper East

The Happy Man Foundation, led by Dr Emmanuel Bortey Borketey, has donated 1,000 mathematical sets to Junior High Schools in the Upper East Region. The donation, made on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, aims to support candidates ahead of the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE).

The Happy Man Bitters team, together with members of the media, delivered the items to over 15 schools. Students and staff welcomed the gesture with excitement and gratitude. Many students said the donation has boosted their morale and promised to make Dr Borketey proud with strong exam results.

Dr Borketey, also CEO of Charger Group—makers of Happy Man Bitters, Plus 2, and Black Legend Coffee Gin—urged students to take their studies seriously, pray, and remain focused. “We believe in the youth and their power to shape Ghana’s future,” he said. “This is a small gesture to support them and build their confidence.”

Emmanuel-Bortey-Borketey—Ceo-(Charger-Group)

Mr Atanga Alex, PRO for Charger Group (Northern Command), also spoke during the event. He said the foundation remains committed to the education and well-being of Ghanaian youth. “Our founder, Dr. Borketey, deeply cares about young people. He believes that with God, their success is assured,” he noted.

Headteachers and teachers who received the items thanked Dr Borketey and praised his dedication to education and development. They wished him continued success in all his work.

The donation adds to a growing list of educational and social support projects by the Happy Man Foundation.

Some of the recipients of Happy Man Foundation’s donation.

About Happy Man Foundation

The foundation is the charitable arm of Charger Industries, dedicated to creating lasting social impact in communities across Ghana and beyond. Founded with a mission to uplift the vulnerable and empower the underprivileged, the foundation focuses on areas such as education, health, youth development, and community support. Through targeted initiatives, it aims to address pressing challenges while promoting hope, dignity, and opportunities for individuals and families in need.

As a subsidiary of Charger Industries, the foundation benefits from strong corporate backing and visionary leadership. It was established by Emmanuel Borketey Borketey, the entrepreneur and philanthropist behind Charger Group, who believes that true success is measured not just by profit but by the positive difference one makes in the lives of others. Under his guidance, the Happy Man Foundation has grown into a trusted platform for sustainable giving and impactful community engagement.

The foundation actively collaborates with local leaders, institutions, and volunteers to ensure its programs respond directly to the needs of the communities it serves. From scholarship schemes and medical outreaches to skills training and livelihood support, the Happy Man Foundation is committed to transforming lives—one initiative at a time. With compassion at its core and action as its strategy, it continues to inspire hope and champion progress across Ghana.

Builsa South BECE Candidates Receive Donation from Dr Apaak

Dr Clement Apaak, MP for Builsa South and Deputy Minister of Education, has donated 765 mathematical sets to support all Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) candidates in the district.

The sets were handed over to the education directorate for distribution to candidates in all 25 public Junior High Schools in Builsa South.

Dr-Clement-Apaak – Member of Parliament (Builsa South constituency)

NDC Constituency Secretary Mr. Richard Kazi presented the items on Dr. Apaak’s behalf. He assured the directorate of the MP’s commitment to ensuring that every school-aged child in the district has access to quality education.

Ahead of the math set donation, Dr Apaak also funded a mock examination for all BECE candidates. The goal was to boost student preparedness ahead of the final exams, which start on June 11, 2025.

Receiving the donation on behalf of the District Director of Education, Deputy Director Mr. Akumzeyam Stephen thanked the MP for his consistent support.

This year, 765 candidates are writing the BECE in the constituency —396 girls and 369 boys.

About Builsa South

Builsa South is a constituency located in Ghana’s Upper East Region, with its capital at Fumbisi. Carved out as a separate district in 2012, it lies within the Guinea Savannah zone, sharing borders with Builsa North, West Mamprusi, Mamprugu Moagduri, and Sissala East. The area is mainly rural, home to about 36,000 people—predominantly of Mole-Dagbani ethnicity—who rely heavily on agriculture. The Fumbisi valleys are particularly known for rice cultivation, while other key crops include maize, millet, groundnut, and soybean. The terrain is undulating, with dry and wet seasonal variations typical of northern Ghana.

The constituency is represented in Parliament by Dr Clement Abas Apaak of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), who has been re-elected multiple times since 2016. As MP, he has initiated several development projects, including scholarships for students, borehole drilling for clean water, classroom renovations, and economic empowerment programs for women and youth. The area also benefits from basic social infrastructure, including health centres, CHPS compounds, a senior high school, and mobile network coverage. A notable development proposal includes the establishment of a 30,000-acre agro-processing zone under the Ghana–AfDB Eastern Corridor Project.

Culturally, Builsa South is rich in history and tradition, anchored by the leadership of the Sandem-Naba, paramount chief of the wider Builsa Traditional Area. The people celebrate the annual Feok Festival in December, a vibrant cultural event that commemorates the Builsa people’s victory over Babatu, a notorious slave raider. The festival showcases traditional dance, war re-enactments, and unity among the Builsa communities, reflecting the constituency’s deep heritage and strong communal identity.

Daboya-Mankarigu MP Supports BECE Candidates with Math Sets

The Member of Parliament for Daboya-Mankarigu, Alhaji Lawyer Shaibu Mahama Obei, has donated mathematical sets to all BECE candidates in the constituency.

The gesture comes just as students began their exams on June 11. The math sets, key tools for subjects like mathematics and science, are expected to help students perform better and build confidence during the exams.

Shaibu Mahama Obei Esq. – Member of Parliament (Daboya-Mankarigu Constituency)

The items were distributed on the MP’s behalf by the NDC Constituency Chairman, Salifu Gbepo, along with Secretary Gazari Muniru and other party supporters.

Speaking at the event, Mr Muniru said the MP believes strongly in education and is committed to making sure no student is left behind because of a lack of basic tools. He also announced that students who score between 6 and 15 in their aggregates would receive university sponsorship.

A representative of the Daboya-Mankarigu MP making a donation on his behalf.

Teachers and students welcomed the support. Many said the donation would ease pressure on parents and encourage students to aim higher.

The District Director of Education for North Gonja, Mr Kofi Apeatse Odum, praised the MP for the thoughtful gesture. He promised that the items would be used for their intended purpose.

The BECE remains a significant turning point in Ghana’s education system, determining which students move on to senior high and technical schools.

Gonjaland Son and SHC Boss Seeks Yagbonwura’s Blessings at Jakpa Palace

The Managing Director of State Housing Company Limited, John S. Bawah, has paid homage to the Overlord of the Gonja Kingdom, Yagbonwura Bii-Kunuto Jewu Soale I, at the Jakpa Palace in Damongo.

Yagbonwura Bii-Kunuto Jewu-Soale I (on the Left) & John S. Bawah (on the bottom )

He was accompanied by his brother, Kpembewura Banbange Ndefoso IV, who is also the Paramount Chief of the East Gonja Traditional Area.

The visit was to formally announce his appointment to the Yagbonwura and seek his blessings and advice. For Mr. Bawah, it was a profoundly personal visit. His grandfather, the late Yagbonwura Bawah Doshie, once sat on the same skin.

Yagbonwura Bii-Kunuto Jewu-Soale I & John S. Bawah

As a native of Gonjaland, Mr Bawah said it was essential to work with traditional authorities to help meet the country’s housing needs. He said the State Housing Company is committed to delivering affordable homes across Ghana, including in the Savannah Region.

The Yagbonwura welcomed the visit but expressed concern over the lack of housing projects in the region. He urged the MD to consider Savannah when planning new developments. He promised full support if the company brought any housing initiative to the area.

Mr. Bawah thanked the Yagbonwura for the warm welcome and wise counsel. He said guidance from respected leaders like the Yagbonwura is vital in ensuring that development meets the actual needs of the people.

The Life and Legacy of Naa Alhassan Mahama, Mion-Lana II of Dagbon

Mion-Lana Alhassan II (also known as Naa Alhassan Mahama) was born in January 1952 in Yendi. He is the son of Naa Mahama Bla, who ruled Dagbon from 1948 to 1953, and Napaɣa Sanatu Paɣakaba. He is the fourth son of Naa Mahama Bla. His older brothers include Yaa-Naa Abdulai ŋmarigɔŋ (1954–1967), Nasa-Lana Naantɔɣimah, and Nabiyɔŋ Suɣiri.

Today, only three sons of Naa Mahama Bla are still alive—Mion-Lana Alhassan II, Nabiyɔŋ Andani Mahama, and Nabiyɔŋ Ziŋ-Naa Alhassan. Four princesses also survive.

After his father died in 1953, he and his mother returned to her family at N Yaba Yiri. She raised him there. Napaɣa Sanatu Paɣakaba is his mother’s name. She is the only wife of Naa Mahama Bla to have just one child—Mion-Lana Alhassan II.

Mion-Lana-Alhassan-II (Naa Alhassan Mahama)

His maternal roots run deep in the history of Dagbon. He is a direct descendant of Achiri Damba, a famed warrior who fought alongside Kambon-Naakpɛm Ziblim at the Battle of Adibo in 1896. The bloodline flows through Kaluɣu Musah to Wumbei, to Neindoo, then to Jahinfo Jɛrigu, followed by N Yaba Kojo and N Yaba Yiri—his mother’s home.

Mion-Lana Alhassan II began school in 1960 at Yendi Primary. He joined Naa Yaakuba Middle School in 1967. In 1970, he became a pioneer student of Yendi Secondary School.

His classmates include notable leaders:

Naa Bapra Kpan-Naa Abukari Abdulai (Paramount Chief of Kpano)
The late Hon. Mustapha Ali (Former MP and Minister under President Kufuor)
Dr. Abu Sakara (Former CPP Flagbearer)
Mr. Mumuni Mahama (Respected educationist and former head of the Islamic Education Unit)

After school, he began teaching in 1976 at Zohe Experimental Primary and later at Dimɔŋ Primary School. In 1978, he joined the Ministry of Food and Agriculture as a Plant Quarantine Officer, marking the beginning of his career in Saboba.

In 1988, he enrolled at Nyankpala Agricultural College. He completed his diploma in 1990 and was posted to Gambaga. He later moved to Bunkpurugu, where he served until retiring on February 1, 2013.

He is known for humility, hard work, and dedication. He is married to three wives and has ten children—six sons and four daughters—and fifteen grandchildren.

He is a family man, deeply loved by all who know him.

As Mion-Lana, may his reign bring peace, wisdom, and unity to Dagbon. May he guide his people with honour, and may his legacy inspire generations to come.

Retired Agric Officer Enskinned as New Mion Lana by Ya-Naa

The Overlord of Dagbon, Ya-Na Abukari II, has named Alhassan Mahama as the new Paramount Chief of the Mion Traditional Area. His appointment follows the completion of the final funeral rites for the late Mion Lana Abdulai Mahama.

Now bearing the title Mion Lana Alhassan II, he was enskinned at the Gbewaa Palace in Yendi on June 3, 2025, and has since moved to Mion to assume his new role.

Mion Lana Alhassan II, a retired agricultural officer, brings decades of experience in Ghana’s public service. He worked across districts, including Damongo, Walewale, Saboba, and Bunkpurugu, with a strong focus on plant protection and regulatory services.

Born in January 1952 in Yendi, he is the fourth son of the late Ya-Na Mahama Bla, who ruled Dagbon from 1948 to 1953. After his father’s death, he was raised by his maternal family.

He started school at Yendi Primary in 1960 and went on to attend Naa Yaakuba Middle School and Yendi Secondary School. He later taught as a pupil teacher before joining the Ministry of Food and Agriculture in 1978. In 1990, he earned a diploma in agriculture from the Nyankpala Agricultural College and worked until his retirement in 2013.

He is married to three wives and has ten children—six sons and four daughters—with fifteen grandchildren.

Mion Lana Alhassan II was selected from five high-profile aspirants from both the Abudu and Andani royal families. His selection is seen as a unifying decision in the Dagbon Kingdom.

As Paramount Chief, he is expected to promote peace and development in the Mion Traditional Area. His extensive experience in agriculture and governance is viewed as a key asset for addressing contemporary challenges in the community.

GAYO Launches New Menstrual Health Guide

The Green Africa Youth Organisation (GAYO) has launched the first edition of its Period Health Empowerment Guide (PHEG) in Bolgatanga to help youth and communities across Ghana understand and manage menstrual and reproductive health.

Unveiled on June 5, 2025, during Menstrual Hygiene Day celebrations, the guide aims to equip girls and communities with practical tools on menstruation, sexual health, and self-care. GAYO described the guide as a “portable revolution” that brings clarity, dignity, and confidence to every young person navigating their menstrual journey.

The event, themed “Menstrual Health and Climate Action: Making the Pad Policy Work for Every Girl,” was co-organised with WaterAid Ghana, FAWE, Right To Play, and FHI360. It brought together stakeholders from the Ghana Health Service, Ghana Education Service, the Department of Gender, traditional leaders, assemblies, and youth groups.

Speaking on behalf of Executive Director Richard Matey, GAYO’s Project Coordinator, Benedict Fosu Arthur, stressed the guide’s role in helping girls know their bodies and manage menstruation with dignity — whether they live in Bolga, Bongo, Tamale, or Tumu. He called it a practical, inclusive tool that combines menstrual health, climate awareness, and waste management.

The guide was developed with input from the Ghana Health Service and the Alliance for Reproductive Health Rights. GAYO is encouraging its use in homes, schools, and communities and advised schools to work with the GES on appropriate implementation.

GAYO has also expanded its Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) education programme from three to nine junior high schools in Kassena Nankana West, reaching over 1,000 students. The sessions, led by trained community youth, help break the stigma and promote collective support for menstrual health.

The launch also sparked essential conversations around Ghana’s Free Sanitary Pad Initiative, the environmental harm caused by single-use pads, and the need to boost school WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) facilities.

Boyfriend and Two Friends Arrested Over Midwifery Student’s Death in Yeji

Police have arrested three young men in connection with the murder of a young woman at Vutideke, near Yeji, in the Pru East District of the Bono East Region.

The suspects are Hayford Boateng, 31, believed to be the victim’s boyfriend, and his two friends — Kojo Emmanuel, 28, and Michael Kabutey, 34.

According to police, the three tried to transport the woman’s lifeless body from Vutideke to Yeji. They were using an unregistered Hyundai saloon car with the number DV 8388Y-2025 when they were arrested following a tip-off.

Sources at the Yeji Police Station say the victim is believed to be a student at the Yeji Midwifery Training School.

The incident occurred on the afternoon of Tuesday, June 10, 2025. The body has since been deposited at a mortuary for preservation and autopsy.

The suspects are currently in police custody and are assisting with the investigation.