President John Dramani Mahama has lauded the efforts of traditional leaders and the Gonjaland Youth Association for consolidating the peace process in Gbiniyiri and other parts of the Sawla-Tuna-Kalba district.
Speaking at the 50th anniversary celebration of the Gonjaland Youth Association in Buipe, President Mahama reiterated his commitment to the development of the Savannah region.
Established some 50 years ago in 1976, the Gonjaland Youth Association aims to promote unity among the people of Gonjaland, foster rapid development and act as a liaison between the youth and the traditional leadership
Over the years, the Association has chalked successes including maintaining peace and stability in the Savannah
At a colorful event to climax the 50th anniversary celebration in Buipe, President of the Association, Alhassan Baba Darison, bemoaned the rising incidence of conflict in the Savannah region and appealed to the youth to be peace ambassadors.
“Mr President, I wish to appeal to the youth of the region to channel their energies into peace ambassadors of peace and development, rather than allowing themselves to be drawn into conflict as warlords or self-styled freedom fighters.
“Though we have encountered challenges along the way, we have always acted swiftly and decisively to de-escalate tensions and restore harmony.”
He also advocated for the creation of additional districts and the upgrading of existing ones.
“We respectfully propose the Creation of three new districts from Central Gonja, Sawla-Tuna-Kalba, and East Gonja and the elevation of Bole District to municipal status. This will accelerate development.”
President John Dramani Mahama in his address and while enumerating his plans for the development of the region, admonished the youth association to remain peaceful with other settlers on Gonjaland to foster development.
“The Savannah region is rising and your role in that rise is indispensable. I therefore wish to commend the chiefs especially the Yagbonwura and the Gonjaland Youth Association for their swift action in resolving the conflict in the Sawla-Tuna-Kalba District”
Education and Sports
On Education infrastructure, President Mahama announced that work on two STEM schools in Tinga and Busunu have commenced and progressing steadily.
“Education is the bridge between where we are and where we aspire to be and so we are going to invest heavily in education in the Savannah Region,” he assured.
The President further reaffirmed plans to construct a sports stadium in Damongo, to be named the Savannah Sports Stadium, to promote sports development in the region.
In a speech read on his behalf paramount chief of the Buipe traditional area, Buipewura Abdulai Jinapor eulogized the association for its contribution to the development of Gonjaland.
The 50th anniversary celebration was under the theme five decades of progress, empowering the Gonjaland youth for the future.
Gonjaland Youth Association; a pillar to development of the North – Dr. Amin Adam
