On October 14, 2024, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo received a warm welcome from thousands of enthusiastic supporters in Damongo during his two-day tour of the Northern, Northeast, and Savannah regions.
The residents of Gonjaland expressed their deep appreciation for the establishment of the Savannah Region, a long-awaited development that finally materialized after decades of unfulfilled promises, including during the tenure of a local leader.
As the crowds gathered to celebrate, there was a strong sense of gratitude for the collaborative efforts between past and current leaders of the Jakpa stool. They also acknowledged the rapid rise of local son Samuel Abdulai Jinapor, which has resulted in significant progress and improved livelihoods in the area.
The streets of Damongo were filled with joyful and appreciative crowds when the President visited on Monday, October 14, 2024, as part of his two-day itinerary.
In addition to celebrating the creation of the region, the community expressed profound thanks for the fruitful collaboration between previous and current leaders of the Jakpa stool and the impressive advancement of Samuel Abdulai Jinapor, which has ushered in a period of positive change and prosperity.
The Yagbonwura, Bikunuto Jewu Soale I, expressed gratitude for the President’s visit and reflected on the numerous contributions made towards the region’s development.
In his address, President Akufo-Addo conveyed the nation’s appreciation to the Jakpa stool, particularly to Yagbonwura Tutumba Boresa Sulemana Jakpa I, one of the three chiefs who assisted in restoring peace to Dagbon, alongside the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, and the Nayiri, Mahama Abdulai Sheriga.
“The second was the cooperation I received from him in the creation of the Savannah Region. Upon taking office, I received a petition from the people and chiefs of Gonjaland requesting their own region, something they had long sought. I assured him that it was up to the people to decide if they wanted a region.
I expressed my readiness to collaborate, and by the grace of God, we succeeded in establishing the Savannah Region. I will always remember him and be grateful to the Jakpa stool for these two significant achievements of my presidency.”
Reflecting on his 2016 campaign, President Akufo-Addo stated, “During my campaign here in 2016, I told you that sometimes your best ally isn’t necessarily someone from your village, but rather from a distant village, and that’s me, your brother from Kyebi. I will take better care of you than your own brother.”
He continued, “That is why today, in education, health, road infrastructure, industrial development, and agriculture, the people of the Savannah region have every reason to appreciate my presidency.”
The President also highlighted, “Before I took office, over 100,000 young men and women dropped out of school each year between Junior High School and Senior High School, not due to a lack of qualifications, but because their parents couldn’t afford the fees.
Over ten years, that amounted to one million young Ghanaians leaving the educational system—a significant loss of human resources for our country. That’s why I promised that if the good people of Ghana gave me the opportunity, I would implement the Free Senior High School policy.”
“I was determined to prepare our country to compete effectively in the 21st century. That’s why you’re now hearing about students from our schools winning international awards in robotics and artificial intelligence,” the President remarked.
