News
The question of fate
There is this phrase “…as fate will have it…” and is a very often used phrase. It gives the impression that something that happened was preordained and that is when people begin to question why this happened and why that happened and who or what determines the fate of a person.
If fate exist, then who or what determines what fate should befall a person, is the crux of the matter. The Oxford dictionary defines it as ‘the development of events outside a person’s control, regarded as predetermined by a supernatural power.’ This is where it gets interesting.
Why is it that in a class if about 40 students, some are very brilliant and others struggle to do well academically? Let us even bring it into families where among siblings, some are brilliant and others struggle academically. Reminds me of a family I know. They were five siblings.
The second born and the fourth were brilliant but the rest were nothing to write home about. It was like, they were from different parents. What has fate got to do with this?
A funny WhatsApp readily comes to mind, captioned, ‘The real reason for racism.’ In the picture below the title, is a White lady in a kind of a tight boxer shorts and a flat behind and a shapeless body.
The picture beside her was that of a Black woman, all the curves in the right places, a body shape that even most women, will envy, the type boys-boys will say “she has ‘ enyimnyam’ and ‘ekyirnyam’.”
In other words she is graciously endowed in front and behind. These days in the marriage market apart from a beautiful face, if you are not graciously endowed both front in your chest area and back in the torso area, your market value will be severely reduced.
Are we then saying that a supernatural power who created human beings, deliberately decided to enhance the market value of some ladies but again decided to reduce that of others? Again, this raises serious questions about the existence of fate.
Sometimes passing through town either walking or in a vehicle, one comes across a mad person or persons. These are people who used to be like us, normal, knowing that which is right or wrong, who appreciated nice things and would never wear dirty clothes or eat filthy things.
Yet they now find themselves in a situation where they laugh at will without reason, attack people without provocation and act in ways that no sane person would ever contemplate.
Again, as a Christian, who believes that the Bible is the word of God, and that the Bible describes God as the creator and is also a good God; it therefore does not align with his nature to have a fate of madness for people he himself has created.
Deliberately predetermining that a terrible thing like madness, alcoholism etc. should be the fate of a human being created by a good God, does not make sense. What it tells me is that there is nothing like fate.
What I believe in is that, decisions or choices, have consequences, either good or bad. If a person chooses to drink alcohol, over time, he or she can get kidney problems. This brings to mind the effect of galamsey on our health and if we as a people, do nothing to stop it, the health consequences will result in something we shall later claim as fate. What has fate got to do with someone deciding to indulge in drugs, becomes addicted and destroys his life?
What has fate got to do with deciding to live a promiscuous lifestyle and dying through HIV AIDS before his time?
NB: ‘CHANGE KOTOKA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT TO KOFI BAAKO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT’
By Laud Kissi-Mensah
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In a rare display of cross-party collaboration, two Members of Parliament from opposing political traditions have set aside partisan differences to champion a shared cause—empowering women and transforming communities.
On February 14 (Valentine’s Day), the Savelugu Community Centre hosted the official launch of the Yooyili Pag-Dede Foundation, an initiative designed to expand economic opportunities for women, strengthen early childhood education, nurture youth creativity, and improve access to clean water.
Leading the effort was Abdul Aziz Fatahiya, Member of Parliament for Savelugu (New Patriotic Party), who was joined in solidarity by Dorcas Affo-Toffey, Member of Parliament for Jomoro and Deputy Minister for Transport.
The partnership has drawn attention not only for its development focus but also for its symbolism—a bipartisan alliance centered on people-first leadership.
In her address, Fatahiya emphasised that while the people of Savelugu were hardworking and resilient, many women and young people lack structured opportunities to maximise their potential.
“Our women are determined, but determination alone is not enough. We must build systems that give them access to resources, skills, and markets,” she stated.
She explained that the Yooyili Pag-Dede Foundation will operate through five core programmes, including potable drinking water.
The foundation also seeks to promote financial independence for women and ensure the inclusion of persons with disabilities in community development efforts.
Key initiatives include:
- She Grows: supporting women farmers with training and modern agricultural initiatives.
- Style of Dagbon: a hub for women’s fashion entrepreneurship and creative enterprise.
- Story Weavers of Yooyili: empowering children aged six to 15 as storytellers, artists, and cultural ambassadors.
- Dagbon Karizung: strengthening pre-school education across Dagbon communities.
- Clean Water Project: expanding access to safe and potable water.
Delivering the keynote address, Mohammed Amin Adam, the Member of Parliament for Karaga and former Finance Minister, underscored the central role of education in breaking the cycle of poverty.
He urged parents to prioritise investment in their children’s future and commended Madam Fatahiya for the initiative, supporting it with a donation of GH¢20,000.
Madam Affo-Toffey praised the project, describing it as a commendable initiative worthy of emulation, particularly by female MPs across the country. With an initial GH¢20,000 donation, she noted that the initiative had inspired her to explore similar development models within her own constituency.
Prior to launching the foundation, Madam Fatahiya organised a free breast cancer and chronic disease screening programme that benefited more than 3,000 women across Savelugu.
She described the foundation as an extension of that commitment, aimed at addressing systemic barriers to women’s advancement through practical and sustainable solutions.
In a lighthearted moment that drew laughter and applause, Madam Fatahiya referred to herself and her colleague as “the Gen Z MPs.”
“WE may belong to different political parties, but today we are the Gen Z MPs that collaborate, innovate, and we don’t wait,” she remarked.
She added that a new generation of women political leaders are willing to bridge divides in pursuit of measurable impact.
Also present at the launch was Habib Iddrisu, Member of Parliament for Tolon, who noted that the initiative signals a shift toward issue-based governance to one that prioritises development outcomes.
The event attracted several dignitaries from both political parties, including the Northern Regional Chairman of the NPP, as well as former MCEs and DCEs.
In an era frequently characterised by political polarisation, the bipartisan cooperation witnessed in Savelugu offers a compelling alternative narrative, when leaders unite around shared values and community needs, transformation becomes possible.
From: Geoffrey Buta, Savelugu
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THE Akatsi South Municipality recorded 314 teenage pregnancies in 2025, exceeding the national target despite intensified efforts by health officials to curb the situation.
“Sad as it may be, six girls aged 10–14 years were pregnant, and 269 teenagers delivered, of which five were between 10–14 years, all making up 12.1 per cent against the national target of reducing below 11.5 per cent,” Miss Justine Sefakor Alornyo, Municipal Director of Health Services, disclosed during the 2025 health performance review at the Akatsi South Municipal Assembly Hall.
Under Antenatal Care (ANC), 2,594 pregnant women were registered in 2025, representing 65.9 per cent coverage, up from 2,278 in 2024 with 58.4 per cent coverage.
The Municipality recorded 2,071 supervised deliveries in 2025, a slight increase from 1,997 in 2024. All 2,071 newborns received BCG, Penta, and Measles-Rubella vaccines.
Miss Alornyo attributed the gains to continuous education and advocacy across the Municipality.
On HIV, 151 cases were identified—108 females and 43 males. All are on treatment, including 15 pregnant women who tested positive. Eighteen exposed babies have been placed on prophylaxis.
She added that 60 tuberculosis cases were managed, while investigations into six suspected measles cases, two yellow fever cases, and one Acute Flaccid Paralysis (AFP) case all tested negative.
Highlighting achievements, Miss Alornyo thanked stakeholders, especially the Municipal Assembly, for supporting service delivery. In 2025, the construction of CHPS compounds at Zuta, Ahlepedo, and Asafotsi, as well as the renovation of the Wute Health Centre, is ongoing.
Midwives were posted to Wuxor, Gui, Dzogadze, Akuave, and Livega CHPS facilities, while Dzogadze and Gui CHPS were officially handed over for service delivery.
The annual review assessed progress, achievements, gaps, and innovative strategies to address health challenges.
Akatsi South Municipality is served by 40 health facilities: two hospitals (one private and one municipal), six health centres, 27 CHPS compounds, one CHAG facility, and four clinics.
Infrastructure deficits and transportation challenges remain key concerns.
—GNA
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