With 2025 coming to close, the Savannah Region is left to reflect upon a year which saw both the best and worst of itself. It was often very vocal, at times extremely painful. However, it was always full of life. As the balance of power shifted, as tensions surfaced and as new voices arose, the Savannah Region demonstrated the resilient nature of its people, their deep-rooted traditions, and the desire for positive growth.
It was a major political event that transpired hundreds of miles from the dusty streets of Damongo, but made its way straight into the heart of every citizen within the region. A son of the Savannah Region took his oath of office as President of the Republic of Ghana once again after eight years in opposition. Many of those within the region viewed this as much more than just a win at the polls. They viewed it as a "home-coming." Pride and anticipation filled the air throughout the region. People expressed open and sincere hopes for better roads, job opportunities, greater security and a fairer share of the national pie. Although there was celebration surrounding the return to power, many of these same people raised difficult questions. Whether this moment will create meaningful change on the ground, or whether it will once again represent an opportunity lost remains a question that hung above the region for the entire year.
But if one moment lifted spirits, another crushed hearts.
The helicopter crash that claimed eight lives shook the nation, but in Savannah, the pain cut deeper. Among the dead were the Defence Minister, the Environment Minister, and Savannah’s own Alhaji Muniru Lemuna, Deputy National Security Coordinator. Damongo, his hometown, fell into mourning. Shops closed early. Homes grew quiet. Mosques and churches filled with prayers heavy with grief. Alhaji Muniru Lemuna was not just a name in government. He was known, accessible, and respected. His death left a hole that could not be filled by protocol statements or flags at half-mast. Savannah lost an illustrious son, and the loss lingered long after the news cycle moved on.
While grief still hung in the air, tension erupted in Gbinyiri. What began as a land dispute between some Gonjas and some Brifors, settlers who had lived there for generations, quickly escalated to a point where fear became a silent factor in the lives of many. Land and farms were abandoned, lives were lost and many women and children displaced. Trust between the two groups continued to decline. What could have resulted in a big tragedy, was ultimately prevented through the actions of strong leadership within the traditional council and the government. The Gonja Traditional Council, under the leadership of the Yagbonwura, demonstrated great authority while controlling their restraint. In addition to the actions taken by the traditional council, government security personnel arrived and provided support to the community through dialogue rather than solely through the use of force. Peace was maintained in the area not because the underlying issues were resolved, but because leaders chose to maintain the peace and avoid creating further chaos. The Gbinyiri conflict served as a reminder to the people of the Savannah Region, that the issue of land continues to serve as an emotional fault line in the region and that maintaining peace will require continued effort and attention.
Education unexpectedly turned into controversy when the Catholic Science and Technology University was debated. What could have been an opportunity for progress instead developed into a heated community-wide discussion. Several people were concerned about whether a major public university located in Savannah had a Catholic affiliation and if it was exclusionary or historically based. Some church members maintained the name was appropriate citing the church's long-standing involvement in education throughout Northern Ghana. Some critics pushed for broader ownership and identification. Community radio discussions, opinion pieces, and street debates abounded in the media and among residents. Ultimately, the debate highlighted a larger question in Savannah; Savannah wants development, however Savannah also wants to be visible, recognized, and involved in how the development takes place.
Similar heat occurred politically at the local level. In Damongo, the United Youth Wing of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) held protests against the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE). The youth expressed their displeasure about been left out and excluded from all aspects of decision making and from the development process. While the protests were peaceful and assertive, they reminded all that loyal support to a political party does not equate to silence. The protests caused dialogue internally among party members and placed additional pressure upon the municipal chief executive to listen more intently to the voices of its grassroots constituents.
In the midst of much of this tumultuous activity there was one event which brought people together for what appeared to be a symbolically important occasion. The Damongo Prison, constructed by the Church of Pentecost was officially opened by the President along with the Minister of the Interior. The prison represented a unique convergence of faith, government, and security. The Damongo Prison will provide improved living conditions for inmates while easing the burden of overcrowding on other prisons. For many residents, the opening of the Damango Prison demonstrated how religious organizations can go beyond inspirational messages and perform tangible and concrete service to the nation.
The people of Savannah Region experienced a different type of transformation than the one described by the media, as the story of Laribanga demonstrated how true local leadership can impact communities at their core. The assemblyman of the Laribanga electoral area worked hard to create lasting changes that improved the daily lives of all residents. He worked to provide electricity to Laribanga Islamic Senior High school after a year of hardship endured by the students who attended school using only lanterns. Smaller projects then began to emerge and focus on developing water and community services. These developments were tangible and were felt.
However, a quiet and subtle conversation continued inside the West Gonja Municipal Assembly regarding whether certain senior administration personnel should be transferred so that MCE, Castro, would have the freedom to do his job without obstacles. Supporters of the transfer argued that new personnel would bring an increased level of efficiency into the workings of the municipality. Conversely, others believed that MCE Castro had adapted well and was beginning to find his place within the municipal government. This debate represents a larger concern that exists throughout the local governance structure regarding cultural aspects of local governments, the importance of continuity and the need for reform.
The end of the year will forever be remembered as the time when Busunu celebrated its first ever Homecoming. For those of you who may not know what Homecoming is, let me explain. It is a celebration of the people of Busunu returning to their homeland to celebrate the people, the history and the heritage of this town which has been referred to as the land of the great and the giants. There were sons and daughters of Busunu returning from Accra, Tamale and even from outside Ghana. The political big wigs came to the event not to speak or make speeches, but to reconnect with the people and their roots. Many stories were shared, many funds were raised, and many people regained their sense of identity as being part of the Busunu family. Busunu was able to show Savannah that there is more to development than just building projects, that people remembering where they come from is equally important.
While there were not many other headlines to talk about in 2025, there were many moments that were just as important. For example, farmers struggled through inconsistent rainfall. Traders dealt with increasing prices. The youth pursued jobs in a challenging economic climate. Chiefs mediated disputes between families that were often not reported by the media. Communities held funerals and welcomed new babies. In short, life continues to go on and continue to be full of hope and resilience.
In closing, Savannah finds itself at a crossroads as we close out 2025. While 2025 provided no easy answers to the challenges facing our region, it did ask the right questions.
By: Johannes Jafo Akunatu [0247019099; akjafo@gmail.com]
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