Members of the Gonjaland Youth Association in a photo during the handing over ceremony
The Gonjaland Youth Association (GLYA) has pledged to tackle the pressing challenges of youth unemployment, cultural erosion, and widespread poverty in the Savannah Region with bold and targeted action.
President of the Association, Al-Hassan Baba Darison, made the commitment during the GLYA Handing Over and Fundraising Ceremony held on Saturday, May 31, 2025, in Accra.
Darison unveiled a seven-point strategic vision aimed at transforming the association’s impact. These include:
Purpose-driven and accountable leadership
Youth empowerment through advocacy and access to national opportunities
Promotion and preservation of the Gonja language, music, and values
Capacity building through training and mentorship
Strengthening GLYA’s institutional secretariat
Diaspora engagement for coordinated development
Financial sustainability through innovative fundraising
“This moment is not just ceremonial; it is transitional. We are not here to divide—we are here to unify. And we are not here to coast; we are here to climb,” he declared.
Darison cited troubling statistics, including a youth unemployment rate of over 38% in the Savannah Region, a literacy rate of just 32.8%, and multidimensional poverty affecting nearly half of the region’s population. He also highlighted the threat facing the Gonja language and called for increased investment in cultural preservation and local tourism.
To support the association’s long-term operations, Darison announced a fundraising initiative targeting 1,000 members contributing GH¢100 monthly. This could potentially generate GH¢100,000 each month to fund scholarships, youth-led enterprises, and cultural programs.
Minister of Energy and Green Transition, John Abdulai Jinapor, urged the new leadership to be inclusive and focused, noting the region’s low rural electrification coverage as a critical concern.
“Savannah Region has the lowest rural electrification coverage. That must change. We can do a lot more, and I urge the new executives to hold us together and lead with purpose,” he stated.
Former Minister of Finance, Dr. Mohammed Amin Adam, commended the new leadership and emphasized the importance of youth-led development in Gonjaland. He pledged support for initiatives promoting skills training, entrepreneurship, and access to government programmes.
“Government alone cannot solve all the challenges, but when youth come together through credible platforms like GLYA, we can achieve collective progress,” he said.
Dr. Ing. Clifford Abdallah Braimah, Managing Director of Ghana Water Limited, urged the new executives to remain focused and results-driven. He reminded the youth that transformation requires not only ideas but also discipline and consistency.
The other executives of GLYA include:
Mankir Ibn Malik (Public Relations Officer)
Kelly Gbalo Mbonwura (Organizer)
Issahaku Ibrahim Bobino (Deputy Organizer)
Braimah Abiba (Women’s Commissioner)
