Gowrie Senior High/Technical School in the Bongo District of the Upper East Region of Ghana was thrown into turmoil on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, when teachers forcibly removed the headmistress, Elizabeth Zinye Paaga, accusing her of autocratic leadership and mismanagement of school resources.
An anonymous teacher, fearing retaliation, revealed that tensions with the headmistress had been mounting since her appointment in 2021. After a series of student riots, the headmistress charged each student 109 Ghana cedis for damages. However, she allegedly failed to use the funds for necessary repairs, such as renovating the staff room and teachers’ quarters, and has not accounted for the money collected from the students. Despite multiple petitions to the district and regional education directors, no resolution was reached.
Teachers further criticised the headmistress for withholding the 2024 WASSCE results analysis, which they argue is crucial for evaluating student performance. Additionally, accusations of food diversion surfaced, including the removal of mackerels, gallons of oil, and bags of rice from the school storeroom to another location without informing the storekeeper.
The situation escalated when the acting district education director and police officers conducted an investigation. During their visit, teachers and students confronted the headmistress, chanting for her removal. One teacher, speaking on condition of anonymity, revealed that the faculty had been unable to administer end-of-term exams since Monday due to a shortage of A4 paper.
The teacher also mentioned instances of abusive language directed at the staff during meetings, which further fueled discontent among the faculty. Teachers are now appealing to the regional director of education to reassign the headmistress to another school. They argue that her continued presence at Gowrie SHS is damaging to the learning environment. If no action is taken, they fear they will be unable to work effectively or engage with students.
SEO Title: “Teachers Forcefully Remove Headmistress from Gowrie SHS Over Allegations of Mismanagement”
The Tamale East Region of the Knights and Ladies of Marshall, a Catholic-friendly society, recently hosted its second regional conference, aimed at reflecting on its activities. The conference was held under the theme: “Marshallans as Pilgrims of Hope: Reflections in a Jubilee Year Towards a Century of Service to the Church.”
During the opening ceremony in Tamale, Worthy Brother Thomas Azuure, the outgoing Regional Grand Knight, explained that the conference is an annual event organised by the various regions of the Knights and Ladies of Marshall. Under the leadership of the Regional Grand Knights and Regional Noble Ladies, participants—Brothers and Sisters—gather to reflect on a selected theme.
This year’s theme was designed to inspire members to reflect on the Jubilee Year declared by Pope Francis and to renew their spiritual journeys as pilgrims of hope.
Very Reverend Father Hilary Pogbeyir, Vicar General of the Tamale Archdiocese, who represented Most Reverend Philip Naameh, the Metropolitan Archbishop of Tamale, encouraged Catholic societies to be a beacon of hope for the billions of poor and sick individuals who often lack life’s essentials. He reminded the attendees that, “the goods of the earth are not destined for a privileged few but for everyone.”
Father Pogbeyir stressed the Christian duty to care for the poor and urged the wealthy to be generous and attentive to the needs of the less fortunate.
Sir Knight Brother Professor Elias N. K. Sowley, Chairman for the occasion, also urged Christians to embody love for their neighbours and assist those in distress, echoing the message of compassion.
The Supreme Knight, Sir Knight Brother Richard Ayih-Akakpo, and the Grand Lady, Most Respected Lady Sister Patricia Dunenye, addressed participants, encouraging them to support God’s work by serving as disciples and missionaries, helping to build and strengthen the Catholic Church.
PURC’s Mechanized Boreholes Bring Relief to Bongo Dua
The three-day event was hosted by Council 153 (Male Branch) and Court 149 (Female Branch), both of which are affiliated with Sacred Heart Parish in Tamale. Attendees included members from Council 27 and Court 12 (Tamale), Council 146 (Saboba), and Court 173 (Lamashegu).
The Supreme Council (the governing body of the Knights of Marshall) was represented by Sir Knight Brother Dr. Paul Ntodi and Worthy Brother Wisdom Kumah. In contrast, the Grand Court (governing body of the Ladies of Marshall) was represented by Most Respected Lady Sister Clare Baneong-Yakubo and Respected Lady Sister Barbara Adisa Dickens.
At the conference, a new Regional Grand Knight, Worthy Brother John Issah Alhassan, and a new Regional Noble Lady, Respected Lady Sister Monica Ekekpi, were installed to lead the Tamale East Region for the next two years (2025–2027).
The conference concluded with a Mass at Sacred Heart Parish, marking the spiritual culmination of the event.
The Knights of Marshall were established in Sekondi in November 1926, while its female counterpart, the Ladies of Marshall, was founded in Kumasi in December 1969. Today, the Knights and Ladies of Marshall operate in many Catholic dioceses in Ghana, as well as in branches in Togo, Benin, Burkina Faso, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Ivory Coast, and the UK.
SEO Title: “Tamale East Knights and Ladies of Marshall Host Successful Regional Conference”
The Chiefs and people of the Sirigu Traditional Area will celebrate a decade of leadership, unity, and development under the reign of Azukodaana Naba Roland Atogumdeya Akwara III, the Paramount Chief of the area. The anniversary celebration, marking 10 years since Naba Akwara III was enskinned as Paramount Chief and President of the Sirigu Traditional Council on July 20, 2015, is scheduled to take place from December 26 to December 30, 2025.
The theme for the anniversary celebration is “A Decade of Leadership, Unity, and Development,” and it is expected to bring together the sons and daughters of Sirigu, both within and outside the traditional area. The event will honour the leadership of Naba Akwara III over the past decade and institutionalise the Azuko festival as an annual cultural event. This festival will pay homage to Azuko, the founder of Sirigu, whose vision and courage laid the foundation for the community.
The celebration will also aim to foster community unity, promote cultural heritage and tourism, mobilise resources for community development, and inspire the youth through education and talent recognition. Additionally, it will strengthen national and diaspora partnerships.
Reflecting on Progress and Challenges
At the joint launch of the anniversary and the maiden Azuko cultural festival, Naba Akwara III, in a speech delivered on his behalf, urged residents to reflect, rejoice, and recommit to the values that have united them over the years. He called on all stakeholders—including the sons and daughters of Sirigu, dignitaries, well-wishers, and the international community—to join the traditional council in the countdown to the inaugural festival.
A Living Tribute to Leadership and Legacy
“Let this 10th Anniversary and maiden Azuko festival be a living tribute to leadership, legacy, and love for our homeland,” Naba Akwara III said. He appealed to everyone to begin saving money and resources for development projects aimed at strengthening Sirigu.
The Azukodaana expressed gratitude to God, his ancestors, the gods of Sirigu, Divisional Chiefs, Queen Mothers, Assembly members, government and non-governmental agencies, and women’s groups for their support throughout his reign. He also commended the Azuko Festival Committee, led by Mr. Ricky Kasisi Peprah, for their efforts in organising the December celebration.
Regional Minister’s Praise
Mr. Donatus Akamugri Atanga, the Upper East Regional Minister, congratulated Naba Akwara III for his decade of success and distinguished service to the people of Sirigu. He commended the chief’s leadership, which has been marked by dignity, wisdom, and a commitment to the development of Sirigu. Mr. Atanga highlighted Naba Akwara III’s efforts in championing education, upholding cultural identity, supporting women’s empowerment through the Sirigu Women’s Organisation for Pottery and Art (SWOPA), and promoting peace and cohesion.
A Life of Service and Education
Naba Akwara III, born on December 26, 1985, is the 15th male child among 30 siblings. He began his education at Sirigu Primary School, continued to Sirigu Junior High School, and completed his basic education in 2004 at Bolgatanga Secondary School. After secondary school, he worked briefly with the Navrongo Health Research Centre. He later served as a pupil teacher at his alma mater, Sirigu Primary School.
In pursuit of further academic and leadership excellence, Naba Akwara III attended Saint John Bosco College of Education in Navrongo from 2012 to 2015, before being enskinned as Paramount Chief in July 2015. He continued his studies at the University of Cape Coast (UCC), earning a Bachelor’s degree in 2019. He furthered his education at the International Institute of Social Studies (ISS), Erasmus University Rotterdam, the Netherlands, where he obtained a Master of Arts degree in Development Studies, specialising in human rights, gender, and conflict.
A Vision for Development
Over the past decade, Naba Akwara III’s reign has been characterised by proactive leadership and a blend of traditional wisdom with modern approaches to foster development in Sirigu. His leadership has propelled the community forward, focusing on both the preservation of cultural values and the advancement of contemporary development strategies.
The Upper West Regional office of the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) has successfully facilitated the recovery of GH₵50,659.29 in revenue for the Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo) and consumer adjustments amounting to GH₵1,157.62 during the first half of 2025.
In addition to revenue recovery, PURC also supported NEDCo in replacing High-Tension and Low-Voltage poles at a cost of GH₵41,500. This reflects the PURC’s continued commitment to ensuring fairness and accountability in the utility services sector. These achievements were outlined in the 2025 half-year report from the Upper West Regional office of the PURC.
The report also revealed that a total of 481 complaints were lodged against utility providers and consumers during the review period. Of these, 472 complaints, representing 98%, were successfully resolved. The remaining nine complaints, mainly related to billing, were still under investigation as of June 2025.
Out of the total complaints, NEDCo received the highest number, with 442 complaints, accounting for 91.89% of the total. Ghana Water Limited (GWL) had 37 complaints (7.69%), while two complaints were filed against customers (0.42%).
The majority of the complaints (97.71%) were related to the quality of service. Other concerns included billing issues (0.62%), consumer service delivery (0.62%), metering (0.42%), and unlawful disconnections (0.21%).
The report also highlighted various strategic activities undertaken by PURC to strengthen stakeholder confidence, foster collaboration with key partners, and protect both consumers and service providers. These efforts helped improve the Commission’s visibility in its jurisdiction, promoting the delivery of high-quality water and electricity services to consumers.
The report emphasised the PURC’s commitment to regulatory excellence, stating that the Commission’s proactive engagement with stakeholders and responsiveness to consumer concerns led to the rapid restoration of power and water in affected areas. These actions have also strengthened relationships between the Commission, complainants, and utility providers, fostering trust and cooperation in the sector.
A violent clash between students of Vitting Senior High School and Dabokpa Technical Institute in Tamale on July 19 has left one student injured, briefly disturbing the peace in the area. The Northern Regional Police Command received a distress call at approximately 2:40 AM, reporting a confrontation between students from two schools. The police quickly deployed their night patrol team to restore order.
According to Inspector Lukman Neindow, Public Relations Officer of the Ghana Police Service in the Northern Region, the students threw stones across the boundaries separating the two schools until law enforcement intervened. Upon arrival, police found a student from Dabokpa Technical Institute injured. The student was immediately rushed to the Tamale Teaching Hospital for medical care. The following day, the police confirmed that the student had been treated and discharged from the hospital.
Inspector Neindow stated that while no arrests had been made yet, a search of the dormitories at both schools revealed dangerous items, including scissors, machetes, and knives. The police are reviewing CCTV footage and collecting additional evidence to identify the cause of the disturbance and those responsible. The police assured the public of their dedication to maintaining peace and order. They also called on school authorities, parents, and community leaders to help promote discipline and peaceful coexistence among students.
In response to the incident, the Minister for Education, Mr. Haruna Iddrisu, the Northern Regional Minister, Mr. Ali Adolf John, and the Tamale Metropolitan Chief Executive, Alhaji Adam Abubakari Takoro, visited the schools to appeal for calm and engage with stakeholders in resolving the tensions.
The inaugural Northern Ghana Development Conference took place in Tamale on Monday, under the theme: ‘A Conference of Northern People, Leaders, and Partners.’ Organised by the Parliament of Ghana with support from various development partners, the conference aimed to lobby President John Dramani Mahama and his ministers for fair resource allocation to drive development in northern Ghana.
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Uniting for a Shared Vision – Northern Ghana Development Conference
Majority Leader and MP for Bawku Central, Mr. Mahama Ayariga, highlighted that the conference was designed to transcend political divisions and unite stakeholders behind a common goal for northern development. He emphasised the importance of leveraging experiences, networks, and influence to guide regional ministers, MMDCEs, chiefs, and the private sector toward economic transformation.
Mr. Ayariga noted that the conference would also focus on lobbying for strategic projects and strengthening collaboration with development partners and international investors. It aimed to serve as a platform for monitoring government services in critical sectors, including education, healthcare, water, electricity, and infrastructure.
Reflecting on Northern Ghana’s Aspirations
Mr. Ayariga described the conference as an essential moment to reflect on the region’s progress, challenges, and aspirations. He pointed out that the region’s ambitions were outlined as far back as President Kwame Nkrumah’s 1963 Seven-Year Development Plan.
“Elections are over. Our people expect us to use our influence across both major political parties to fight poverty and create economic opportunities,” he stressed, while calling for support from traditional rulers and unity among political leaders.
Shared Responsibility for Northern Development
Minority Leader, Mr. Alexander Afenyo-Markin, echoed similar sentiments, reinforcing that the development of northern Ghana is a collective responsibility. He urged traditional leaders to promote peace, support education, and ensure that development projects meet the region’s actual needs.
“As Minority Leader, I join the Northern Caucus in advocating for bold interventions in infrastructure, healthcare, education, and peacebuilding,” he said. He also pledged parliamentary support for equitable budget allocations to complete significant projects such as the Eastern Corridor road and to expand rural electrification and access to clean water.
Focus on Education
Mr. Afenyo-Markin placed significant emphasis on education, calling for improvements in facilities, the deployment of more teachers, and the establishment of more vocational and tertiary institutions to provide the youth with practical skills.
Traditional Leaders’ Support
The Paramount Chief of Nanton Traditional Area, Naa Yab Nanton Naa Mahamadu V, pledged the support of traditional rulers for the conference’s objectives. He underscored the importance of peace in achieving meaningful development. He reassured the gathering of chiefs of his commitment to this goal.
The conference was attended by Members of Parliament from northern Ghana, traditional rulers, development partners, youth and women groups, students, and members of the public, all united by the shared goal of accelerating the development of northern Ghana.
Osahene Alexander Afenyo-Markin, the Minority Leader and Member of Parliament for Effutu, has vowed to push for bold, targeted interventions that will accelerate the development of northern Ghana. He made this promise during his keynote address at the inaugural Northern Development Conference; a key event designed to discuss the region’s challenges and unlock its potential.
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Strategic Significance of Northern Ghana – Afenyo-Markin
In his speech, Mr. Afenyo-Markin emphasised the critical role northern Ghana plays in the country’s development, calling it “a region of untapped potential.” He acknowledged the north’s substantial contribution to the national food basket, providing about 40% of Ghana’s food supply, which earns it the title of the country’s breadbasket.
Investment in Agriculture
To strengthen this role, the Minority Leader called for long-term investments in modern agricultural technologies and infrastructure, particularly in the animal industry. He emphasised that now is the time for intentional, transformative policies that will empower farmers, increase productivity, and potentially enable them to become billionaires.
Mr. Afenyo-Markin also praised the formation of the Northern Parliamentary Caucus by Rt Hon Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin. He described the move as crucial for giving the region a unified voice in parliament on development issues.
Confronting Long-Standing Challenges
While acknowledging the progress, he did not shy away from confronting the region’s persistent challenges. “We need to confront our realities,” he said, referring to the widespread poverty, poor road conditions, inadequate sanitation, and chronic power shortages affecting the region.
Currently, only 49% of households in northern Ghana have access to electricity, with the Upper West Region being the most underserved.
Addressing Infrastructure Deficits
The MP called for more substantial commitments from all stakeholders to address the infrastructure deficits that drive mass migration from the north to the south, due to a lack of opportunities. He argued that addressing these barriers could turn the north into a national anchor of growth and prosperity.
“As a leader in Parliament, I will push for radical interventions in infrastructure, education, healthcare, economic empowerment, and peacebuilding,” he declared. He stressed the urgency of acting swiftly and collaboratively for the region’s transformation.
Engaging the Youth
Mr. Afenyo-Markin also urged the youth to take an active role in shaping the region’s future. “The future of the north will be shaped by young people. They must rise, innovate, and pave the way towards a region that no longer symbolises poverty and squalor.”
The conference attracted a diverse range of stakeholders, including policymakers, development professionals, youth leaders, and civil society members. It provided an opportunity for collective reflection on policy solutions and investment strategies aimed at transforming northern Ghana into a thriving centre of growth.
Salisu Be-Awurbe (Esq.), the Savannah Regional Minister, has led a successful security operation aimed at curbing illegal mining activities in Tuntumba, a community located in the Bole District. The operation, conducted in collaboration with the Regional Police Command, took place on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, and resulted in significant actions against illegal miners.
During the operation, security personnel seized eight excavators. It demolished over 100 makeshift structures used by illegal miners for shelter and storage.
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Salisu-Be-Awurbe—Savannah-Regional-Minister
Government’s Stance on Illegal Mining – Be-Awurbe
Speaking to the media after the exercise, Minister Be-Awurbe reaffirmed the government’s firm stance against illegal mining. He issued a strong warning to those operating without valid licenses, stating that they would face prosecution.
Several illegal miners, including some foreign nationals, fled the scene upon the arrival of security forces, abandoning their equipment and personal belongings.
Focus on Financiers and Environmental Protection
The Regional Minister emphasised that law enforcement is now prioritising the identification and prosecution of the financiers behind illegal mining operations. These individuals, often responsible for deploying heavy-duty equipment, contribute significantly to the pollution of crucial water bodies, such as the Black and White Volta Rivers.
Promoting Legal Mining
Minister Be-Awurbe also urged the Minerals Commission to speed up the allocation of legal concessions to organised mining groups. He believes that this would help curb illegal mining activities and encourage responsible small-scale mining in the region.
