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International Organization for Migration and National Disaster Management Organized Promotion of Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Kintampo Municipality

Kintampo Muncicipal Assembly in collaboration with International Organization for Migration (IOM) and National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO) held its Promotion of Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) at the Municipal Assembly Hall to protect and promote psychosocial well-being, prevent mental health disorders and controlling such disorders when it occurs.

Mr. Price Ahinakwa Wilson officer from IOM in his introduction talked of the need to educate yourself on some challenges people go through when they travel in and out of their counties illegally seeking for greener pastures not having legal documents for traveling, no educational certificate to secure job and other problems etc. which may lead to Mental disorders and may also led to Mental illness.

All dignities invited to spoke touched on the need for education on mental health and psychosocial support in our various communities within which we find ourselves.

Mr. Agustin the Bono East Regional Mental Health Focal Person gave some couses of mental illness such as dog bite, over working and not having much sleep which bring stress, lack of job, Drugs, poor nutrition, among others.

The Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Kintampo Municipal Assembly, Mr. Isaac Donkor applauded IOM, NADMO and all partners for the unwavering support and collaboration with Kintampo Municipal Assembly to address such a critical area of public concern.

Mr. Donkor emphasized on this programme not just being a ceremony but a call to deepen the understanding of mental health, and to call to an end the silence and stigma surrounding

psychological distress, a call to invest in all inclusive, and a call to community-based support system that will allow all individuals, regardless of our background or experiences to feel valued, supported and empower.

He again commended the efforts of IOM and NADMO for spearheading this initiative to build resilient communities, where no one would be left behind the deliberation of focusing on reducing stigma, fostering social cohesion, and promoting the inclusion of returnees alongside host community members.

The MCE then, pledge the kintampo Municipal Assemblies full commitment to working hand in hand with all stakeholders to ensure mental health is prioritized, resources mobilized and the Municipal community support structures well strengthening.  “together we can build a healthier and more resilient inclusive Kintampo Municipality and Ghana at large” He ended.

Damba festival is celebrated by the chiefs and people of the northern part of Ghana to commemorate the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad by the Muslims and also to glorify the region’s royal heritage, particularly chieftaincy.

During the celebration, traditional drumming, dancing, feasting and ritual, are done. This festival brings families living aboard and home together for merry-making and reflection.

The Presbyterian School Park in the Kintampo Municipality saw a colorful Atmosphere when the Chiefs and people of the Dagomba Community celebrated the 2025 Damba Festival in a grant style were all the Northern indigenes in the surrounding communities of the municipality came to grace this very important festival of theirs.

Naa Zakkaria Musah Abdul-Baki V the chief of Dagombers in the municipality welcome address to his people stated developmental projects he has undertaken in the Municipality such as; contraction of mechanized boreholes, donation of schools uniforms and sandals to school pupils within the Municipality supported by Dagombars living in United States.

 In conclusion Naa Zakari advices his fellow chiefs and people on peace between ethnic groups within the municipality which has become one of the problem impeding development in the municipality and he said, “Peace is the backbone of development to every country, and Kintampo Municipal at large”.

The Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Kintampo Municipality Mr. Isaac Donkor who graced the occasion on behalf of the Bono East Regional Minister and as MCE for the Municipality in a short speech was grateful to the people of Dagomber being able to organizers their annual Damba Festival to promote culture and development in the Kintampo Municipality.

He listed the number of tribes who come to together in the municipality to celebrate Damba festival which is due to peace and unity among those tribes and that all others can emulated it to bring the unity peace and development we are all looking for as the theme for the Celebration “The Devastating Impact of Tribal Conflict, The Need for Ethnic Tolerance”.

In conclusion the MCE said “in support with the Regional Coordinating Council, MUSEC and other stakeholders we would foster lasting peace and promote cultural enterprise within Bono East Region, and Kintampo Municipality at large”.

Kurubi Bankadi Festival organized yearly by the president of the Wangara chiefs in Ghana Nana Fayenama III was held this year at the PTC park in the Kintampo Municipality.

This year’s festival saw almost all the Wangara communities from West Africa in the Kintampo Municipality to celebrate this very important festival of theirs.

The programme which toke a week saw activities such as cross country running, football games, Koran recitals etc. and climax on the 30^th November 2025 at PTC Park in the Municipality with different groups all dress in various colors displaying their traditional drumming and dancing. The programme received a lot of Chiefs and dignities within Ghana and the theme for this years was, “Resetting the Sprite and rekindling leadership”.

NATIONAL SANITATION DAY MARKS PEACE AT GULUMPE

National Sanitation day organized in November 2025 in the Kintampo Municipality was marked with the Bono East Regional Minster Mr. Francis Owusu Antwi at Gulumepe to bring together the Gonjas and konkobers together due to the fright between them that drew the attention of the National Security and the entire country at large.

In a short address by the Regional Minister Mr. Francis Owusu Antwi chiefs and people expressed his heartfelt admiration to how they barred their differences and working together to keep their surrounding clean that is demonstrating their readiness for peace and unity and this will push for the lifting of the curfew in the community, he then thanked the youth for their corporation and togetherness.

Chiefs and Elders expressed their gratitude to the President of the Republic of Ghana, John Dramani Mahama, the Member of Parliament, Mr. Joseph Kwame Kuma, the Regional Minister, Mr. Francis Owusu Antwi and the Municipal Chief Executive Mr. Isaac Donkor, for their unflinching support and intervention by assuring that Gulumpe returned to normality.

They then said organizing this National Sanitation Day clean up exercise was a symbol and evidence that, they have come back to peace and for development of Gulumpe.

The Kintampo Municipal Assembly Department of Agriculture has distributed over forty thousand (40,000) coconut seedlings to 545 farmers in the Municipality making it the third consignment that has been given out to farmers in the municipality from the presidential initiative in Agriculture/Agribusiness from the Western Region of Ghana.

As part of the initiative, the directorate of the presidential initiative in Agriculture and Agribusiness (PIAA) announced Coconut Seedling Distribution Initiative, and opened registration portal to allow new commercial and smallholder farmers to take advantage of the opportunity to either expand or start coconut farms.

Through this initiative, three million (3, 0000) coconut seedlings are being distributed to farmers and interested individuals across the country.

Coconut Federation Ghana has made a significant milestone for Ghana’s coconut sector as they have taken deliberate and strategic steps to accelerate the growth of coconut production in Ghana.

This very important programme is funded by Ghana Exim Bank as part of its effort to diversify Ghana’s export sector as coconut holds an unlimited potential for forex improvement and agro- industrialization.

Dr. Peter Boamah Otokumor the director of the Presidential Initiative in Agriculture and Agribusiness in his address on the day of the portal opening to the public registration outlined the Importance of “coconut at today’s market as he announced the importance of coconut being a crop that is, in its simplicity, embodies resilience, versatility, and immense economic potential”.

And that globally, coconut industry is thriving with annual production now exceeding 65 million metric tons, with 95 percent of this output coming from smallholder farmers”. He also talked of it being the world’s top four producers Indonesia, the Philippines, India, and Brazil dominating in the sector, creating millions of jobs and building strong export markets around this remarkable crop.

Dr. Otokumor also made a remarkable statement that in 2024, the global export value of coconuts hit 22.43 billion U.S. dollars, growing at an impressive 13 percent per annum and estimated to hit 38.58 billion by 2030, And that, Coconut water alone is one of the fastest- growing health product in the world, represents nearly half of this value at between 5.73 – 8.6 billion U.S. dollars. Brazil, for instance, has captured the U.S. market and is reaping enormous benefits. “Beyond coconut water, the market for coconut meat is worth 5.85 billion U.S. dollars, coconut shell nut about 950 million U.S. dollars, and coir from husks another 640 million U.S. dollars.

This was a clear signal and that the world is thirsty and hungry for coconuts and nations that invest wisely in this sector are reaping rich reward” he added.

He again stated that, Ghana is now the 12th largest producer of coconuts in the world, and the number one producer in Africa. In recent years, our production has increased from 504,363 metric tons in 2022 to about 600,000 metric tons today, with our area under cultivation covering some 90,000 hectares. And that, coconut is no longer just a coastal crop and cultivation is now active in 11 out of 16 regions of Ghana, engaging men, women, and youth across nurseries, farming, processing, exporting, aggregation, and vending all under the umbrella of the Coconut Federation of Ghana.

In Mr. Boamah Otkunor’s conclusion, he said, “growth has already translated into foreign exchange and in 2021, Ghana exported over 41 million kilograms of coconuts valued at 11.4 million U.S. dollars. By 2022, we had become the 9th largest exporter of desiccated coconut in the world, with export earnings of 22 million U.S. dollars the trajectory is clear and the coconut sector is fast becoming one of the most dynamic agricultural export commodities in our national economy”.

Before the distribution of the coconut seedlings, Mr. Isaac Yevo, extension officer from the Department of Agriculture Kintampo Municipal took farmerss through the application of supper absorbent polymer by demonstrating which will be giving to them in addition to the seedlings for application due to the inconsistency of the rains.