The Vagla youth Association( VAYA ) has held it’s 14th biannual congress in Sawla in the Savannah region under the theme: “Justice, Peace and Freedom for Sustainable Development in Savannah region – the Role of the ethnic Youth”.
The congress started from the 29th of December and ended on 31st December, 2022 at Sawla in the Sawla – Tuna – Kalba of the Savannah region.
In an address, the president of the Vagla Youth Association ( VAYA ) Mr. Emmanuel Kungi called on the youth of the area to embrace peace as it’s impact in the development of the area can not be over emphasized and called on them to resolve existing disputes among other ethnic groups so as to promote peaceful co – existence among the various ethnic groups in the region.
He admonished the youth to avoid indulging into negative vices that will disturb the peace currently enjoyed in the area but rather invest their energy into positive activities that will bring development to the area.
Mr. Emmanuel Kungi used the event to appeal to government to consider splitting the current Sawla – Tuna – Kalba with Tuna servicing as an administrative District capital on its own to foster development in the area
He further appealed to the government to help revive the education sector in Sawla- Tuna- Kalba District particularly the vocational school in Sawla which is at the verge of collapsing.
The Secretary of the Vaglikoora Council, Mr Kipo Ahia on behalf of Vaglikooras explained that the Vagla Youth Association ( VAYA ) was established as a non-political and a non-religious community based organization to help it’s people to fight poverty, ileteracy, ignorance and diseases among others.
He said the founders of VAYA could not have achieved some of their task without the assistance of the chiefs and elders of the area and so therefore needed to open their doors for all those who seek for the welfare of the people but lamented that it is unfortunate that the area still lacks behind other parts of the country in many aspects of development.
He indicated that, the area stands the highest risk of youth unemployment with many of their children especially young girls not attending school and for those who attend, are usually faced with difficulties to find jobs.
He noted that health, education and issues of Fulani herdsmen are some of the major challenges facing them in the area adding that their people die out of preventable diseases such as child birth, snake bites, HIV/AIDs among others as a result of lack of medical doctors in the Sawla-Tuna-Kalna District.
He noted with concern that the existing health facilities are poorly equipped and staffed to be able to Corp with the needs of the people adding that many of their villages remained without good access roads, good classroom blocks, furniture and also lacks teachers to enhance teaching and learning.
On the issues of Fulani herdsmen, the Vaglikooras secretary said, many of their young people who wished to venture into farming are discouraged by the activities of Fulani herdsmen in the area thereby making life unbearable for them.
He said though VAYA may not be able to solve this issues on their own but as the Month piece of it’s people, the should collaborate with stakeholders and lead to finding lasting solutions to the aforementioned challenges.
The Savannah regional minister, Hon. Saeed Muhazu Jibriel who was the guest of honor at the 14th biannual Congress of the Vagla youth Association ( VAYA ) commended VAYA for their role played in the creation of the Savannah region adding that the creation of the region was as a result of the peace, oneness and unity that existed between the various ethnic youth groups in the region which he said has in many ways fostered development in the region.
The Hon. Minister used the event to call on the various ethnic youth groups to come out with proposals that are visible to enhance the development of the region as the government of President Nana Addo is working towards ensuring that poverty is completely eradicated in the country particularly in the rural areas.
In addressing poverty in the region, the minister revealed that the Bole and Sawla districts are among two other districts in the region to benefit from a 150 million dollar amount each for rural development under a project called the sokoo project earmarked to commence in 2023.
On Education, the minister lamented on the state of education in the sawla District and entreated the chiefs and people in the area to prioritize education so as to enhance effective teaching and learning in the Sawla – Tuna – Kalba area which has seen poor performance in the region.
He noted that some drastic measures has been put in place to address issues of security which he said has seen a decline in the rampant robberies and mysterious killings recorded in the Bole and Sawla enclaves enabling residents to live in peace and without fear.
He also indicated that, a memorandum of understanding has been signed and sealed for the construction of the Bamboi – Sawla highway road.
Source: Padfm.com.gh/Kumatey Gorden/0243531604
