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Sissala West Chiefs Demand 3 Solutions for Better Telecom Services

The chiefs and residents of the Pulima Traditional Council in Sissala West District, Upper West Region, are urging Mohammed Adams Sukparu, the Deputy Minister-designate for Communication, Digital Technology, and Innovation, to focus on closing the digital gap in their communities upon his official appointment.

They are hopeful that with his leadership, the longstanding issues of network instability and digital exclusion that have affected the region can be addressed. The chiefs emphasise the need to enhance telecommunications services, improve internet connectivity, and ensure that remote areas, such as Sissala West, are integrated into Ghana’s broader digital transformation strategy.

The Pulima Traditional Council believes that better connectivity will unlock opportunities for economic empowerment, education, and improved access to digital services. In a message of congratulations dated July 21, 2025, Kuoro Osman Deiwia Nankpa III, President of the Pulima Traditional Council, not only celebrated Sukparu’s appointment but also highlighted the persistent communication challenges that continue to hinder development in the region.

Many towns and villages in Sissala West continue to experience poor mobile network coverage and unreliable internet services, which restrict the community’s access to essential services and opportunities. These issues have a direct impact on several key sectors, including agriculture, education, and healthcare.

The chiefs have noted that young people in the region are eager to adopt technology, start online businesses, and engage in digital education. Yet, without improved connectivity, these aspirations remain out of reach. They believe that Sukparu’s leadership in the ministry could bring these dreams to fruition and foster a more digitally inclusive society.

Moreover, the lack of robust communication infrastructure has had a ripple effect on the local economy. Farmers struggle to access market prices and demand information, students miss out on online learning opportunities, and healthcare providers face difficulties in coordinating emergency services, all due to the unreliable network.

With the proper focus on improving communication services, the transformation of Sissala West’s digital landscape could unlock its vast potential. The chiefs are confident that such advancements would not only enhance the quality of life for residents but also contribute significantly to national economic growth.

School for Life Launches Bright Future Readers Club at Kumbungu D/A JHS

School for Life, a non-governmental organisation, has launched a reading initiative at Kumbungu D/A Junior High School in the Northern Region. The initiative, called the Bright Future Readers Club, aims to promote reading among pupils.

The Club is expected to benefit 60 pupils in the school. It is part of efforts to improve academic performance and help learners build confidence.

During the launch, student executives were elected to lead and manage the Club’s activities. Pupils also showcased their reading and public speaking skills through poem recitations and reading sessions.

The Club is a continuation of an earlier programme by School for Life, which involved the donation of over 700 books. The donated books include storybooks, novels, and textbooks. Book Aid International supported the programme by donating reading materials.

The initiative is part of School for Life’s broader efforts to promote literacy in rural Ghana. It also supports the improvement of school libraries and encourages reading for pleasure.

Teachers at the school have welcomed the programme and expressed their readiness to support the students. The Club is expected to help learners improve their writing and speaking skills.

UNDP Launches Mentorship Programme for Female Leaders in Savannah Region

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in partnership with the Savannah Regional Peace Council, has launched a mentorship programme in Damongo to support young women in leadership. The governments of Luxembourg and Denmark back the initiative.

The programme aims to promote gender equality and improve women’s participation in governance, peacebuilding, and decision-making roles. It was created to address the underrepresentation of women in leadership, despite their large population in Ghana.

The programme will match young women with six experienced female mentors. These mentors include Queen Mothers, former assembly members, and regional political leaders. The mentorship will last three months and focus on leadership, community service, and conflict resolution.

The Savannah Regional Peace Council aims to help young women develop the skills and confidence necessary to participate in local governance. The Council plans to expand the programme to all districts in the region and has called for more support from stakeholders.

A two-day training session was held for participants as part of the launch. The training covered key topics related to women’s leadership and participation in community development.

The Council also encouraged the media to help raise awareness about the programme and support efforts to improve women’s involvement in public life.

Participants welcomed the initiative, saying it would help them overcome personal and social challenges while building the confidence to lead.

Sissala Chiefs Set Minimum Maize Price to Support Farmers

The chiefs in the Sissala area have announced a new minimum price for maise to protect local farmers from low market prices. The decision was made by the Tumu Traditional Council and other traditional councils in Gwollu, Zini, Welembelle, Pulima, Lambussie, Bawiesebelle, Banu, Kojikperie, and Funsi.

Farmers had raised concerns about falling prices. The price of a 100kg bag of maise recently dropped from GHC 550 to as low as GHC 400. This decline made it difficult for many farmers to recover their production costs.

In response, the traditional councils consulted with major buyers, including the West African Regional Company and private dealers. A new minimum price of GHC 500 per 100kg bag of maise was agreed. This price takes effect from July 8, 2025.

The chiefs advised all farmers not to sell below this price. The goal is to stabilise farmers’ incomes, keep maise farming sustainable, and stop further losses.

Maise farming is the primary source of income in the Sissala area. Community leaders worry that many farmers may stop maise production if prices remain low.

The statement from the traditional leaders urged all buyers, farmers, and government agencies to support the decision. They stated that it was essential to protect the economy of one of Ghana’s top maise-producing regions.

Leaders of farmer groups in the area said intermediaries were taking advantage of the falling prices. They added that the Sissala area produces more than half of Ghana’s maise needs.

Farmers are calling on the government to assist with road infrastructure, farm equipment, and improved market access. They also want policies that will boost maise production for national and regional food security.

Many farmers currently have large amounts of maise in storage. Selling at current prices would lead to losses and threaten their ability to plant again.

Local farmer groups say with the proper support, the Sissala area can meet Ghana’s full maise demand.

GES Expands Kindergarten Education Programme Nationwide

The Ghana Education Service (GES) is scaling up the GES-Lively Minds kindergarten programme to all 16 regions of the country. The programme will target every public kindergarten school nationwide.

This follows the programme’s success in 64 districts across eight regions in northern Ghana. It has helped increase school enrolment, improve retention, and support children’s cognitive, emotional, and physical development.

International partners, including USAID, UNICEF, the Global Innovation Fund, Grand Challenges Canada, the French Innovation Fund, and ELMA Philanthropies, support the programme. It is implemented with technical support from Lively Minds, a UK-based NGO that specialises in early childhood development.

So far, the programme has reached over 3,500 schools and impacted more than 290,000 children. It uses play-based learning and parental involvement to strengthen education at both school and home levels.

The programme has three main components. First, trained mothers run Play Schemes. Second, parenting courses are held monthly. Third, kindergarten teachers support both the play sessions and parent training.

Mothers are trained to guide children in educational games, storytelling, and physical play. Teachers manage these sessions and lead workshops to improve home care and nutrition.

GES officials recently visited beneficiary communities in the Upper East Region. The visit confirmed the programme’s positive effects on enrolment and learning. GES states that it will roll out the model nationwide, with continued technical support from Lively Minds.

Countries such as Ethiopia, Burundi, Uganda, and The Gambia are now studying Ghana’s model as an example for early childhood education reform.

A national study showed that only 13 per cent of Ghanaian parents engage in early learning play with their children. The GES-Lively Minds programme aims to bridge this gap by directly involving parents in learning activities.

At Azudoone Primary School in the Kassena-Nankana West District, enrolment and academic performance have improved significantly. Teachers say that children who participate in the Play Schemes are more likely to stay in school and perform well.

Parents also report benefits. They say the programme has helped revive traditional games and taught them time management, nutrition, and better parenting skills.

The programme was piloted between 2017 and 2019. It was tested through a Randomised Controlled Trial conducted by the Institute for Fiscal Studies (UK) and Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA Ghana). Results showed that children in the programme made learning gains equal to an extra year of schooling.

The Ministry of Education adopted the programme in 2019 for use across eight regions. In 2021, GES and Lively Minds signed a partnership to begin national scale-up.

GES says the programme is cost-effective and sustainable. It is fully integrated into the national education system using existing teachers, district officers, and regional education directors.

Current 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.

PURC to Prioritise Bongo District in Upper East Water Supply Network

The Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) has reaffirmed its commitment to resolving the water challenges in the Bongo District of the Upper East Region. The Commission noted that the district remains one of the key underserved areas despite the availability of surplus treated water in the region.

During a working visit to the region, the PURC observed that only about 43 per cent of the Upper East Region’s water supply capacity is currently being utilised. Meanwhile, communities like Bongo still face water scarcity. The Commission plans to collaborate with Ghana Water Limited (GWL) and other stakeholders to ensure pipeline extensions are carried out to serve these communities.

The Executive Secretary of the PURC, Dr Shafic Suleman, stated that the Commission would facilitate national-level engagements to expedite the integration of Bongo and other towns into the operational network of GWL.

The visit formed part of a national regulatory tour aimed at improving coordination with service providers and addressing consumer challenges through direct engagement. As part of the tour, the PURC met with the Upper East Regional Minister, Ghana Water Limited, and the Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo).

Officials of GWL in the region stated that the company possesses the technical capability to supply water to Bongo and towns like Paga, but is awaiting clearance from the head office to assume responsibility from the Community Water and Sanitation Agency (CWSA). Formal requests from Bongo leaders have already been submitted.

At NEDCo, the Commission learned that the ongoing conflict in Bawku is affecting power supply operations. Regional officials reported that power theft and the inability to monitor infrastructure safely have resulted in commercial losses of nearly 50 per cent. Field staff have been relocated to Bolgatanga for safety reasons.

NEDCo also identified meter bypassing in farming towns, such as Navrongo and Walewale, especially during the dry season. The company cited challenges in enforcement and perceived political interference as factors encouraging these illegal activities.

The Upper East Regional Minister also raised concerns about the widespread lack of functional streetlights across the region, which he said poses a threat to safety and security.

The PURC responded that the Energy Ministry is set to distribute over 23,000 solar-powered three-in-one streetlights nationwide. The Upper East Region is expected to benefit from the initiative aimed at enhancing public safety and promoting round-the-clock economic activities.

RUWA-Ghana Launches ENOUGH Campaign to Tackle SGBV in Upper West Region

RUWA-Ghana, a women’s rights non-profit organisation, has launched the ENOUGH campaign to address sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) and promote gender equality in the Upper West Region. The campaign focuses on transforming harmful social norms and breaking the silence around gender-based abuses.

The project is supported by the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ). It targets both rural and urban communities using creativity and digital platforms to engage the public. It aims to encourage inclusive participation in education, leadership, and social life across all gender groups.

The campaign is active in four communities: Wa and Busa in the Wa Municipality, and Dorimon and Vieri in the Wa West District. These areas have reported high levels of gender inequality and SGBV.

RUWA-Ghana indicated that despite laws protecting women and marginalised groups, harmful cultural norms and patriarchal systems continue to drive discrimination and violence. The organisation states that limited access to healthcare, education, and support services in rural areas exacerbates the situation.

Through this initiative, RUWA-Ghana aims to challenge entrenched beliefs, raise community awareness, and foster gender-sensitive communication. The campaign also aims to strengthen local capacity for gender-responsive planning and action.

The Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) in the region called for more substantial efforts to stop the silence that allows abuse to persist. They noted that stigma and cultural silence often protect perpetrators while victims suffer in silence.

Traditional leaders also backed the campaign, saying it aligns with the goals of Ghana’s Affirmative Action Act. They called on all stakeholders to work together to end violence and promote equity at home, in schools, and in the workplace.

The ENOUGH campaign is expected to inspire community-wide action and create lasting change through awareness, advocacy, and inclusion.

GTA to Promote Leather Tourism in Northern Ghana

The Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) has announced plans to promote the Northern Region as Ghana’s leading destination for leather production. The move is part of efforts to boost tourism, support local artisans, and attract investment into the leather industry.

The Northern Region, renowned for its rich history of leather craftsmanship, produces a diverse range of goods, including bags, belts, and shoes. Despite this heritage, the region remains under-recognised by many, including members of the diaspora.

A delegation from the GTA and the PANAFEST Secretariat visited the Gulkpegu Traditional Area in Tamale as part of a five-day tour to support PANAFEST and Emancipation Day celebrations. The team also toured Red Clay Studios, a leading arts centre in Tamale. It hosted a public lecture at the University for Development Studies.

The GTA said it will promote the region’s leather industry as a unique tourism product. The goal is to encourage importers to source from local producers and increase visibility for leather artisans. The initiative also aims to attract foreign investors who can support the sector with modern equipment and technology.

Leather-Bags-by-Sirihats – GTA to promote

The Authority noted that improving production standards to meet international expectations will enhance export opportunities. The initiative forms part of broader plans to unlock the tourism potential of northern Ghana and create sustainable income for local communities.

In addition to leather tourism, the GTA highlighted several historical and cultural sites as key attractions. These include the Yendi Greenwich Meridian and the Saakpuli Slave Site. The Gushegu Smock Market is also being considered for redevelopment to boost trade in traditional textiles.

During the visit, members of a diaspora delegation expressed interest in investing in northern Ghana, particularly in agriculture and real estate. Local traditional leaders encouraged the group to explore the region’s fertile lands for farming and agribusiness development.

The GTA is positioning cultural heritage, craft, and history as key pillars to grow the tourism economy in the north and strengthen ties with the diaspora.