DAMBA FESTIVAL IN TAMALE. GHANA

          Damba festival celebrated by most of the tribal groups of Muslim origin in Northern Ghana. This festival is                                     celebrated by the chiefs and people of Dagbon, Gonjas, Mamprusis, Nanumbas and the Walas. 

The main aim for the merriment is to remember the birth and naming ceremony of the Holy Prophet Mohammed.

In Tamale, the celebration was climax in a peaceful manner where people from various community gathered at the Dakpema Palace.

The photographs show how the native celebrated the event.

 

Bush Fire Consumes Millet and Soybean Farm

Investing heavily in the expectation to make some profit during the dry season by farmers in other part of the country is not the experience of some farmers in the rural communities in the Northern Region of Ghana.

 

Many local farmers lose their farm products due to bush fire as shown in the photographs above.

 

Desperate James Jejeri looks helpless while his millet and soybean farm set ablaze in Nankpek in the Saboba District.

 

The situation has been occurring every year especially during the dry season.

 

 Speaking to Dr. Wilson Dogbe, a Director at Savanna Agricultural Research Institute (SARI) of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research in Tamale urged farmers to stay away from bush burning during the dry season especially when they have done planting.

 

He said some of the local farmers lack education on bushing burning and it effects it has on the land during the dry season.

 

Photo: Geoffrey Buta

Fuel Shortage Hits Ghana

Fuel customers on motorbikes others on foot with portable containers and lines of vehicles wait in a queue for their turn to purchase fuel at the Goil service station in Tamale and also other part of the Country.

 

This was during a severe fuel shortage which has gripped the Northern Regional capital and its environs, causing long lines at filling stations and symbolizing for some people their fears about the increase of fuel prices.

 

Some Commercial drivers in Tamale said they will be out of business if appropriate step is not taken to resolve the situation.

 

Other individuals motorbike owners have decided to start "Okada" business to ease the burden of passenger who can not have access to commercial transport to their various workplace and homes.

 

The shortage which began some few days ago in Tamale, has hamper the smooth running of transport business as well as the Fuel Stations in the fastest growing city.

"One driver ask why an oil producing country be short of oil".

in a new development, Tullow Oil P.L.C is now putting the current production of crude oil at the Jubilee field around 110 thousand barrels. 

The announcement was contained in the firm’s trading statement and operational update released on Saturday. 

Some of the partners at the jubilee field were looking at hitting the 120 thousand targets by close of last year. 

But with this announcement, it appears the target might take a while before it is achieved.

Head of Media Relations at Tullow Oil P.L.C, George Cazenove attributed the delay to some technical challenges with the FPSO.

The Jubilee field has now produced a little over 50 million barrels of oil since it began production in 2010.

Photo: Geoffrey Buta

Ghana Election 2012. Photos by Geoffrey Buta

After vigorous campaign to convince voters on whom to choose as president in the coming years, it now came to the turn of the citizens to show their Power of Choice by the thumb.

 

On the election day yesterday around 3 am, voters in various constituency in the Northern Region woke up to cast their ballot in choosing people whom they believe will work hand-in-hand with performance, comfort, and quality to enhance their livelihood in the coming years.

 

As shown in the photograph, some physically challenge including visually impaired and cripple took part in the decision making in the Ghana General Election 2012

 

 

 

                                           Some people in queue to cast their ballot.

 The National Democratic Congress supporters celebrating after their flag bearer was declared the winner of the election.

EFFECTS OF CONFLICT, photos by Geoffrey Buta

Heavy Rainstorm Leaves 496 People Homeless in Mpaha.

 

                             The District Chief Executive officer consoling some of the rainstorm victims.

                                           Some of the market structures which was affected

                                                the only road network was affected by the rain.

                        The water storage tank which supply the entire community was also affected.

 Salim Tanko, a second year student of Mpaha District Assemble drying his books after the disaster

                   Madam Zhalia Mahamadu and child looking helpless after their house was destroyed.

                                            some collapsed houses during my visit to the place

                                 some women and children discussing about their fate after the rainstorm

                                                           some of the affected houses
                                                                                                  Photos: Geoffrey Buta

By Geoffrey Buta

A heavy rainstorm has swept through Mpaha, a farming community of over 8,000 people in the Central Gonja District in the Northern Region leaving at least 496 people homeless.

The rainstorm accompanied by strong winds started around 2 am on Wednesday dawn pounded and hit Mpaha Township for only 30 minutes destroying 92 houses, 189 rooms and displacing 496 persons, according to Mr. Adam Abdulai Square, the assemble man for the area.

Though no life was lost in the incident, but not less than 9 houses collapsed while roofs of various houses blown off.

 The District Executive Officer of the area, Mr.  Issifu Salisu Be-Awuribe and his team confirmed the issues to TIMES after inspecting the affected area.

He attributed part of the disaster to the poor quality of building materials used in building their houses which shows the poverty level of the locality, added.

He said, the estimated cost of the property destroyed worth GHC 77,000 while scores of residents are homeless.

Mr. Be- Awuribe assured the victims of the Government’s prompt intervention to ameliorate their suffering.

He also urged them to stop cutting down trees for fire woods, but rather plant more of them to prevent future disaster occurring.

While counting their losses when TIMES photojournalist, Geoffrey Buta visited the community, many were seen retrieving what was left of their belongings from the debris and others discussing their fate.

Madam Zhalia Mahamadu, a victim who was seen seated under a tree with her two daughters looking helpless appealed to the Government and other humanitarian organization to come to their aide.

The rainstorm also washed away the main road through the community causing severe erosion and also destroying the only water storage tank which provides water for the whole community.

NOT WAR BUT CELEBRATION OF LIFE OF A GREAT WARRIOR. (GUKPE NAA)

I5 YEAR OLD ZHELIA SULEMANA PREPARING TO FIRE HER GUN

11 YEAR OLD ABDUL BASET LED THE TEAM.