The Accra Branch of the Gonjaland Youth Association (GLYA) last Sunday organised a handing over ceremony for its out-going and incoming executives.
The incoming executives included Jacob Yakubu Mumuni, Chairman; Abdul Matheen, vice; Alhaji Karimu Odartey, Treasurer; Yakubu Amidu Kangre, General Secretary and Charlotte Alhassan as the Women’s Organiser.
The outgoing -chairman, now the National Treasurer of the association, Alhaji Ishaq Ibrahim, in his address, charged his successor to work with due diligence and integrity and to uphold peace among the Gonjas.
The Deputy Chief of Staff, Samuel Abu Jinapor, congratulated the new executives and praised the out-going officers for their dedicated service to the association.
He noted that the association needed a vehicle for its daily activities and therefore pledged to secure them one and a hearse to convey Gonjas living in Accra who wished to be buried in their native land in time of death.
The Member of Parliament (MP) for Yapei-Kusawugu, John Jinapor, speaking at the event, on behalf of Former President John Dramani Mahama, urged the new executives to work extra harder and emphasised the need for concerted effort to tackle poverty and unemployment in the country.
He added that to support the Accra branch, the former president pledged GH₵5, 000.
Member of Parliament for Bole Bamboi, Yussif Suleman, in an interview said this ceremony was an annual event and thanked the out-going executives for leaving a strong mark for their successors to follow in ensuring peace among the Gonjas.
To the youth he said “I urge you to desist from using social media to comment on the chieftaincy disputes that are ongoing in the Gonjaland as this only worsens the situation”.
He called for a united and peaceful Gonjaland and hoped that the youth would actively participate in nation building activities.
The new chairman of the association, Jacob Yakubu Mumuni, speaking on behalf of his fellow executives said his message was peace, and hoped that the youth and the elder generation would partner to bring peace to all Gonjas and to the country.
Also present at the event were the MPs for Damango, Adam Mutawakilu and Minister of State at the Office of the Vice President and MP for Madina , Abu-Bakar Saddique Boniface, both urging the new executives to work to their fullest potentials.
BY FREDERICK GADESE-MENSAH
