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Conflict prevention will be topmost priority — N/R Minister-designate

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• Mr Ali Adolf G. John, Northern Regional Minister-designate swearing an oath during the vetting Photo: Victor A. Buxton

 The Minister-designate for the Northern Region, Mr Ali Adolf G. John, says he will make the promotion of peace in the region his topmost priority if approved by Parliament.

He stated that peace was a pre­requisite for development, adding that his administration would work tirelessly to prevent conflicts in the area.

Speaking during his vetting by Parliament’s Appointments Com­mittee yesterday, Mr John said, “Nobody is happy when there is a problem anywhere, not only in the Northern Region. Promoting and maintaining peace will be my pri­mary focus because peace is very critical for development.”

To achieve this, he plans to collaborate closely with traditional authorities to prevent disputes, particularly chieftaincy-related conflicts.

“We will take security issues se­riously and hold periodic meetings with our revered chiefs to address the root causes of conflicts,” he stressed.

He added that his focus would be on conflict prevention rather than resolution, liaising with all relevant institutions to maintain lasting peace.

He expressed a desire to leave a legacy of harmony in the region, saying “One of the things I want to be remembered for is peace. I don’t want to see any conflict during and after my tenure.”

Addressing the kayayei menace the nominee also outlined mea­sures to tackle the migration of young girls and women, popularly known as kayayei, who travel to Accra for menial jobs.

He described the trend as dis­heartening and pledged to make the region attractive by equipping the youth with employable skills.

Mr John revealed plans to establish more apprenticeship programmes and training centres across the region.

“We will provide sewing ma­chines, hairdryers, and other tools free of charge and absorb the cost of skill training. This initiative will encourage the youth to stay in the region and engage in meaningful work,” he said.

The minister-designate added that financial support would also be made available to assist those interested in petty trading.

In furtherance, he stated that district assemblies would also be tasked with implementing these measures and encouraged those already in Accra to return home to benefit from the free training opportunities.

Responding to the question of how he planned to boost agricul­ture and infrastructure, Mr John also promised to focus on the sec­tor as a key driver of development in the region.

He pledged to ensure the smooth operation of mechanisa­tion centres, rehabilitate irrigation dams, and promote year-round farming.

“We will not rely on just one farming season. Irrigation dams will be opened, and road networks to farming communities will be improved to support farmers,” he assured.

Additionally, he pledged that all government agricultural policies would be implemented effectively to benefit the people.

The nominee also called for increased investment in the agricultural sector, promising to create a welcoming environment for investors to boost productivity and employment opportunities for the youth.

On social issues, he said he would collaborate with traditional authorities to reintegrate women accused of witchcraft into their communities.

He also revealed plans to ensure the proper functioning of CHPS compounds, improve and provide potable water for communities in the region.

Mr John assured that he would not be an “armchair” minister but would actively work to address the region’s challenges. “As a regional chairman of the NDC, I was not an armchair chairman, and I will not be an armchair Regional Minis­ter either,” he added.

 BY RAISSA SAMBOU

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 Heritage Month Ghana trends

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Since the institution of the Heri­tage Month celebration in Ghana, it has offered citizens opportuni­ties of a lifetime to learn about their cultures and lifestyles.

Ghana’s version is observed in the month of March, coinciding with the country’s Independence Day celebra­tions on March 6.

Heritage Month features festivals, food fairs, arts, crafts, and music events to highlight the economic and social value of preserving national heritage.

Though a brainchild of the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), the celebra­tion has been driven to greater heights by local media with the organisation of several events to create the needed euphoria.

Among the events are the Heritage Caravan and Back To Your Village Food Bazaar pow­ered by Accra-based Citi FM and Citi TV, Wear Ghana Festival and the Gɔbɛ festival powered by 3News.

The Heritage Caravan is a road trip which takes patrons across more than half of Ghana’s regions to offer a distinctive road trip that allows participants to explore the various re­gions of Ghana, providing an up-close encounter with the country’s histori­cal and cultural heritage.

In addition to these roles played by the media, news anchors and other presenters appear on screens immac­ulately garbed in locally made outfits, bringing out the beauty of our tradi­tions.

Today, The Spectator news­paper selected a few of the media personalities that are working to give the cel­ebration a global dimension to project the country.  

 By Andrew Nortey

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 MoMo vendor 24 murdered at Kwadaso

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• Mobile money shop
• Mobile money shop

 A disturbing crime has shaken the Kwadaso Onion market communi­ty in Kumasi, leaving family and friends grieving the loss of a young life.

Identified only as Junior, a 24-year-old mobile money vendor, was found murdered in his room on Saturday, March 8, 2025.

According to eyewitnesses, Junior had returned home the previous day with a substantial amount of money, over Gh¢20,000.

It was suspected that the killers might have been motivated by the large sum of money in Junior’s posses­sion.

A police source that confirmed this to The Spectator, said investigation has been launched into Junior’s mur­der, but so far, no arrests have been made.

The Kwadaso community is reeling in shock, calling for justice and an end to the atrocity that has claimed the life of a young and promising individ­ual.

Junior, is believed to be a native of Ejisu Onwe, and was known to his col­leagues and friends as a hardworking and diligent individual who worked at the Kumasi Race Course.

His tragic death serves as a stark reminder of the risks and challenges mobile money vendors faced.

The incident comes barely a month after Patricia Nimako, a 27-year-old Mobile Money (MoMo) vendor, was shot and killed at Krofrom, Kumasi in the Ashanti region by an unknown assail­ants.

The suspected armed robbers fled with the deceased cell phones and an amount of GH¢10,000 on Thursday, February 13, at approximately 3:00 p.m.

The two armed robbers reportedly stormed the kiosk where the deceased was operating and without any provo­cation shot her dead.

There has not been any arrest yet by the police.

 From Kingsley E. Hope , Kumasi

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 Learn how to prepare local dishes…Queen mothers urge young women

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• Some local dishes

 In a heartwarming display of inter­generational wisdom, queen moth­ers from local communities in the Obuasi enclave shared their expertise on how to prepare local diets with young ladies on the International Women’s Day event, courtesy of An­gloGold Ashanti, Obuasi Mine.

Beyond the fanfare, these revered women leaders took centre stage to impart a vital life skill: traditional cooking as they guided eager students and other young ladies through the art of preparing local delicacies.

In fact, the aroma of ‘Abunabunu’, ‘Aprapransa’, ‘Enuhu’, ‘Akaw’, ‘Tuo Zafi’ (TZ), among others, wafted through the air to the extent it could attract people from a distance, as the queen mothers entertained the young women with tales of resilience, entrepreneurship, and community building.

This year’s International Wom­en’s Day Celebration was under the theme: ‘Accelerate Action for Wom­en’s Equity.’

As the event drew to a close, the queen mothers gave words of wisdom upon their young guests.

From Nana Amoanima Dede, Queen mother of Adansi she stated that: “Never forget your roots, and always remember that the kitchen is not just a place for cooking, but for building connections and forging communi­ties.”

Nana Akua Dwum II, Queen moth­er of Edubiase, on her part urged the young ladies to learn how to prepare traditional dishes in order to preserve cultural heritage of the nation.

Earlier, the Managing Director of the mining company, Samuel Boakye Pobee, mentioned their readiness to roll out an “All-Women Apprentice­ship Programme, aimed at empow­ering young women in the Obuasi communities in entrepreneurship.”

He said the project would include women in basic technical skills and their capacity building to boost their employability to reshape perceptions of women’s roles in traditionally male-dominated industries.

According to the Managing Director, the mining company’s commitment “is to empower young people with specialised skills, and progressive knowledge to make them financially independent.”

The company, he indicated, was accelerating action towards wom­en’s equality at the Obuasi Mine and within host communities with the aim to build a foundation to create an inclusive and supportive business culture.

Mr Pobee expressed the need for innovative approaches and dedicated efforts to encourage and invest in women’s participation in all fields, including all levels of technical and operational areas and must be inten­tional and deliberate.”

 From Kingsley E. Hope, Obuasi

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