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.
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.
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.
Daniel Dung Mahama – MP for Talensi
“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.
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 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, 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.
Albert Sore on the field
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.
Albert Sore
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.
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.
The Happy Man Team
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.Some of the recipients of Happy Man Foundation’s donation.Some of the recipients of Happy Man Foundation’s donation.Some of the recipients of Happy Man Foundation’s donation.Some of the recipients of Happy Man Foundation’s donation.Some of the recipients of Happy Man Foundation’s donation.Some of the recipients of Happy Man Foundation’s donation.Team Happy Man Foundation
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.
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.
