Tag: thesavannaonline

Seven out of every 10 basic schools in the Mion District in the Northern Region lack proper classroom infrastructure and furniture, which affects the quality of education and increases the risk of school dropouts. Many pupils are forced to study under trees or in makeshift structures, while others sit on bare floors due to the absence of desks and chairs.

The Mion District Assembly has identified education as a key priority, stating that bridging the infrastructure gap is essential for improving learning outcomes, particularly in rural and underserved communities.

In addition to education, the Assembly is focusing on agriculture and healthcare. With changing rainfall patterns disrupting farming, plans are underway to support farmers with training in climate-smart practices and modern technologies. The district also intends to leverage national programmes such as Feed Ghana and livestock development to boost agricultural productivity.

Efforts are being made to promote dry-season farming through the use of irrigation. However, the Assembly faces challenges in constructing the necessary dams and water infrastructure to support this goal.

In the health sector, the lack of a district hospital remains a significant concern. The Mion District is awaiting the completion of its Agenda 111 hospital project to address the growing health needs of its population.

The district also struggles with sanitation. Open defecation persists in several communities due to the lack of household toilet facilities. Although sanitation bylaws exist, they have not yet been gazetted, which limits enforcement. Authorities are working to formalise these laws to ensure that all new buildings include water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) facilities.

Access to potable water remains a pressing issue, especially during the dry season. Many residents rely on surface water sources that often dry up, forcing them to travel long distances in search of water.

Mion District, located in Ghana’s eastern corridor, shares boundaries with Yendi Municipal to the east, Tamale Metropolitan and Savelugu Municipal to the west, Gushegu and Karaga to the north, and Nanumba North and East Gonja to the south. It was carved out of the former Yendi Municipal Assembly in 2012 under Legislative Instrument 2064 to promote decentralised governance and accelerate development.

Norsaac, in partnership with ActionAid Ghana, has organised an awards-based competition in Tamale to inspire female leadership through innovative girl-led SDG initiatives. The event brought together young female students from five Senior High Schools in the Northern Region.

The competition aimed to raise awareness of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly among girls, and promote leadership, innovation, and community engagement. It ran under the theme “Climate Action for a Sustainable Future.”

Participants were drawn from the Young Female Platform (YFP), a school-based project that supports girls in leadership. Schools that took part included Ghana Senior High School (Ghanasco), Northern School of Business SHS, Bimbilla SHS, Yendi SHS, and Gushegu SHS.

The students pitched ideas aligned with SDGs 4, 5, 8, and 13. They presented themes such as “Empowering Women and Girls,” “Trees for Tomorrow,” “Green Ghanasco for Future Generations,” “Girls for the Green Future,” and “Breaking Barriers.”

Ghanasco emerged as the overall winner and was awarded GH₵5,000 and a certificate. Gushegu SHS came second with GH₵3,000, while Northern School of Business placed third and received GH₵2,000. Bimbilla and Yendi SHS placed fourth and fifth, respectively.

The organisers evaluated the students based on their creativity, problem-solving skills, and the sustainability of their ideas. Beyond the awards, the event aimed to provide girls with a platform to lead meaningful change in their schools and communities.

Organisers encouraged the winning schools to implement their projects using the funds received. At Ghanasco, the students plan to plant 50 mango trees as part of their efforts to achieve environmental sustainability.

The initiative was praised by education authorities as a valuable complement to government efforts in promoting inclusive, student-led development.

A women-led agro-processing group in the Upper East Region is calling for urgent inclusion under Ghana’s proposed 24-hour economy policy. The Northern Savannah Women’s Enterprise, based in Bolgatanga, believes the policy could transform the livelihoods of hundreds of women and young people.

Supported by the Northern Patriots in Research and Advocacy (NORPRA), the group runs a fully equipped agro-processing centre. The facility benefits over 600 rural women who produce groundnut paste, oils, and soya-based products. With the proper support, the centre is projected to generate over GH₵9 million in monthly profit.

The group argues that inclusion under the 24-hour economy policy would enable continuous operations, create jobs, and reduce poverty. It also aligns with national efforts to promote value-added agriculture and expand exports.

During a recent visit to the Bolgatanga Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), the women appealed for formal inclusion in the government’s policy implementation. They also called on the Assembly to prioritise their project in its Medium-Term Development Plan.

The group’s chairperson stated that the CSIR’s Food Research Institute has trained the women to produce high-quality goods for both local and international markets. However, they face significant challenges, including limited space and a lack of certification, which hinders their ability to scale production.

NORPRA’s Executive Director emphasised that this initiative aligns perfectly with the government’s 24-hour economy model, which aims to support strategic agro-processors and boost manufacturing output. He added that access to SOCO funds could help the women expand their facility and operations.

The group is also requesting that government agencies procure their products for national programs, including school feeding, second-cycle schools, and public hospitals. This would ensure steady demand and help sustain their operations.

The MCE welcomed the initiative and promised support. He said the Assembly is currently preparing its development plan and may include the women’s group in the process.

Local leaders say supporting women agro-processors is key to unlocking inclusive economic growth. They believe the 24-hour policy offers a rare opportunity to invest in grassroots enterprises with proven impact.

Pupils in the Upper East Region have brought renewed urgency to the demand for reparative justice through a powerful stage play. The performance, staged by Rovega Preparatory School, depicted the brutal reality of the transatlantic slave trade and its lingering effects on African lives and history.

Held at the historic Pikworo Slave Camp in Paga, Nania, the drama formed part of this year’s PANAFEST/Emancipation Day celebrations. The pupils showcased how deception and betrayal led to the forced enslavement of African ancestors by European traders. The performance highlighted the transformation of initial hospitality into horror, as the arrival of the traders ended in chains, beatings, and forced migration.

Using dramatic expression, the students recreated scenes showing how figures like Daggaw from Mali, along with Samori and Babatu from Burkina Faso, collaborated with European enslavers. Their actions, as portrayed by the pupils, left lasting scars—both physical and psychological—that continue to shape African societies today.

The Pikworo Slave Camp itself was a critical part of this history. Established in 1704, it served as a holding and auction site before captives were sent to the Salaga Slave Market, and eventually to coastal ports for shipment to Europe.

The pupils’ emotionally charged reenactment served as a reminder of the trauma endured and the enduring legacy of slavery. Audience members were visibly moved, as the performance stirred deep reflection on Africa’s past and its call for justice.

This year’s event was themed “Let us Speak of Reparative Justice – Pan African Artistic Activism.” Organised by the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) with the support of regional authorities and cultural leaders, the celebration also featured vibrant dance and art displays from across the region.

Speakers at the event urged Africans to take ownership of their history. They emphasised the importance of using cultural heritage to educate and inspire action. The day’s message centred on truth, healing, and the need for a shared global push for justice and accountability.

The event also highlighted the Pikworo Slave Camp’s role as a sacred heritage site. Calls were made for its redevelopment to attract more tourists and contribute to regional economic growth.