Jira Yagbonwura Bii-kunuto Jewu Soale I, the King and Overlord of Gonja Kingdom has commended president John Mahama and his administration for absorbing Daboya Savannah College of Education as a public training institution.
Jira Yagbonwura Bii-Kunuto Jewu Soale I further thanked John Mahama for his resolve to establish a university in the Savannah region.
He however appealed to the president to put in measures to speed up construction of roads, Savannah Regional House of Chiefs Secretariat, health centers, water supply systems, and other valuable social infrastructure.
Jira Yagbonwura Bii-Kunuto Jewu Soale I made the call on Saturday, 14th June, 2025 at the Jakpa Palace in Damongo when President John Mahama took his national ‘Thank You Tour’ to the Savannah region of Ghana.
He commended the president for the vision to implement massive social policies such as no fees stress for first year students, 24Hour Economy initiative, feed Ghana program, among others.
Yapeiwura A.B.T Zakaria, the Chief of Yapei read the Yagbonwura speech.
Read below step by step message of the Yagbonwura to welcome the president to Damongo.
“It is both a profound honour and an immense privilege to deliver this address today, on my own behalf and on behalf of the entire people of the Savannah Region, on this historic durbar of chiefs, graced by His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Ghana, John Dramani Mahama.
Your Excellency, we extend to you and your distinguished entourage a warm welcome to Damongo and the Savannah Region. Your return, as a proud son of this land, is both symbolic and reassuring. Indeed, we say, “Ansakeba” welcome home. We as well congratulate you on your re-election to the highest office of our Republic. Your victory is a shared triumph for the entire Savannah Region, and we are immensely proud to stand with you.
Mr. President, permit me to also commend you on your ongoing nationwide “Thank You” tour, the reason why you are here today. This noble gesture reflects your enduring humility and commitment to the Ghanaian people. It underscores your resolve to stay connected to the very citizens who entrusted you with this renewed mandate. The Savannah Region remains firmly behind you as you lead our country toward a prosperous and united future.
Ladies and Gentlemen, I must also express our appreciation to his excellency and the NDC government for their swift response in absorbing the Daboya College of Education into the public tertiary system. This development will undoubtedly enhance access to quality education in our region and further empower our youth.
Similarly, Mr. President, we are greatly encouraged by your plans to establish an ultramodern Technical University in Damongo. We trust that this laudable initiative will come to fruition soon, as it has the potential to significantly expand technical and vocational training, contributing immensely to youth development and national progress.
Ladies and Gentlemen, We are firmly convinced that, under the full and effective implementation of His Excellency’s visionary policies, such as the 24-Hour Economy Initiative, the One Million Coders Programme, and the Stress-Free Fee Policy for First-Year Tertiary Students, our nation is poised to accelerate toward the Ghana we all envision. Together, these initiatives form a foundation of hope and progress and with steadfast leadership and the active participation of all stakeholders, we believe they will chart a course toward the resilient, equitable, and thriving Ghana we all earnestly seek.
Your excellency, while commending your government on efforts made so far in the development of the country and our dear region, let me also draw government attention to some developmental challenges faced by our relatively young region. The state of our road network remains of particular concern. The following roads therefore need critical attention;
Sawla-Damongo- Fufuluso Road
Bole-Bamboi-Wa Road
Daboya-Damongo Road
Chama-Tuluwe Road, but to mention a few.
We are confident that your leadership will see these vital road corridors prioritized, thereby boosting regional mobility and economic growth.
Your Excellency, Chiefs, Queen mothers, the Savannah Regional House of Chiefs continues to play an indispensable role in maintaining peace, stability, and traditional governance. However, the House is currently constrained by the absence of functional office space. The building project, sadly abandoned at the foundation level, requires urgent intervention. We humbly appeal for your support in resuming construction and, in the interim, securing a suitable rented facility to ensure the smooth functioning of our Secretariat.
Additionally, the House’s official pickup vehicle has remained grounded for over a year, severely hampering the Registrar’s ability to execute official duties.
We kindly request your assistance in repairing or replacing this vehicle to restore full operational capacity.
Mr. President, the Savannah Region is abundantly blessed with vast natural and human resources, ranging from fertile agricultural land, mineral deposits, forest products such as shea and dawadawa, to a vibrant and enterprising youth population. Yet, it remains a great paradox that our region, so rich in potential, continues to rank among the poorest in the country. This disheartening disparity is not due to a lack of promise, but rather a gap in infrastructure, investment, and comprehensive development planning. We humbly implore your administration to prioritize the strategic exploration and sustainable harnessing of these dormant assets. We believe that with the right attention and targeted policies, these resources can be transformed into engines of prosperity, creating jobs, enhancing livelihoods, and improving the quality of life for our people. We also invite partnerships that involve local stakeholders to ensure that development is inclusive, culturally responsive, and anchored in the long-term vision of the Savannah Region. By doing so, Your Excellency will not only uplift an entire region but set a powerful example for equitable development across the nation.
Ladies and Gentlemen, another pressing concern is the ongoing water crisis affecting Damongo and nearby communities. The lack of access to potable water poses a serious threat to public health. It is our fervent hope that this issue will be addressed comprehensively during your tenure, leaving behind a legacy of transformative impact.
Your excellency, equally deserving of your attention is the “Nyange” community which remains the ancestral seat of the Gonja Kingdom. Though central to our traditional leadership, Nyange remains underdeveloped. It is the passage point for all Yagbonwura’s, yet its infrastructure, including the historic palace, is in a state of disrepair. We believe that developing “Nyange” would serve as a fitting legacy, affirming the deep roots of our heritage and commitment to cultural preservation. We believe and know you can do it.
Mr. President, the population of the Savannah Regional Capital, Damongo, has grown significantly in recent years, outpacing the capacity of the existing hospital facility. This surge in demand has placed immense pressure on the current infrastructure, thereby affecting the quality and accessibility of healthcare services. We therefore respectfully appeal for the establishment of a fully equipped Regional Hospital to reflect the administrative status and growing healthcare needs of the region. Such a facility would not only enhance the delivery of quality healthcare to our people but also serve as a vital referral center for the various districts within the Savannah Region.
Ladies and Gentlemen, let me also add that, while decentralization has brought many benefits, it has also inadvertently diverted critical institutional infrastructure to district levels, often at the expense of regional cohesion. As a new region, we respectfully call for direct support in establishing key institutions within the regional capital to ensure balanced development.
Mr. President, In the realm of education, we are deeply concerned about the performance of students especially in the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) within the region over the years. Trends from previous years show that there has not been any improvement in the performance of students in the region. We appeal to your office to support initiatives aimed at improving foundational education, teacher quality, and student outcomes across our schools.
Ladies and Gentlemen, The Media, Substance abuse and indiscipline among our youth have become rampant in recent times in the country and the Savannah Region is not an exception. This incidence is largely driven by unemployment and lack of opportunities. We respectfully call on your government to prioritize job creation under your “Big Push” initiative to address this social menace and restore hope among the youth.
In conclusion, Your Excellency, Chiefs, Queen mothers, Distinguished guests, Ladies and gentlemen, the Chiefs and people of the Savannah Region recognize and commend your administration’s enduring commitment to mother Ghana development and national unity. We therefore pledge our unwavering support as you lead the effort to reset Ghana and secure a more inclusive and prosperous future for all.
May Almighty Allah continue to guide and bless our homeland Ghana.
Abdulai Zulkaninu
