2025 in review: A year of tragedies, triumph in Northern, North East, Savannah regions
If years could speak, 2025 would tell a story of mixed reactions across the Northern, North East and Savannah regions.
It will be remembered as a year marked by tragic losses, communal conflicts, ground-breaking agricultural discoveries and development interventions.
One of the darkest moments of the year was the military helicopter crash that claimed the lives of eight distinguished Ghanaians, including Dr Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, the National Democratic Party (NDC) Member of Parliament for the Tamale Central Constituency.
In Tamale, the news was met with disbelief and sorrow. Party faithful and residents gathered at the NDC office, mourning a leader many described as humble, accessible and deeply committed to public service. The loss reverberated beyond the constituency, as the crash also claimed senior government officials, party leaders and military officers.
The loss resulted in a bye election in which a Political Scientist, Professor Seidu Alidu, was declared Member of Parliament for Tamale Central unopposed after other aspirants withdrew.
Water theft
A Tamale Circuit Court convicted Ibrahim Baako Alhassan, a businessman, for illegally installing in-line water pumps to divert water from Ghana Water Limited pipelines. The act deprived entire neighbourhoods of water, highlighting the ongoing challenges of urban water management.
The conviction was widely welcomed as a deterrent against illegal water connections, especially as Tamale continued to grapple with chronic water shortages.
Development interventions
Amid the challenges, 2025 also brought renewed optimism. President John Dramani Mahama at the 65th anniversary celebration in Tamale, assured residents that construction of the long-awaited Tamale Water Project would commence in 2026.
The proposed project, involving a modern pumping station on the White Volta at Yapei, aims to significantly boost water supply to Tamale and surrounding communities, ending decades of reliance on the overstretched Dalun water system.
In a development that challenged decades of scientific assumptions, cocoa trees were discovered thriving in the open savannah at Salnaayili in the Nanumba North Municipality.
The experimental farm, initiated by Mohammed Yinchala, attracted national attention and prompted an assessment by the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD). The discovery opened new conversations about climate adaptation, agricultural diversification and the future of cocoa production in northern Ghana.
Also, environmental restoration received a major boost with the launch of Phase II of the Regreening Africa Project in the Mion District. Implemented by World Vision Ghana and its partners, the initiative sought to restore degraded landscapes, strengthen climate resilience and improve incomes for over 200,000 smallholder households.
The project seeks to support and incentivise smallholder farmers and pastoral households to adopt diverse and profitable regreening practices by strengthening policy environments, improving local governance systems, empowering women and youth, and stimulating investment in restoration efforts.
Land dispute
In the Savannah Region, a land dispute in Gbiniyiri, in the Sawla-Tuna-Kalba District, escalated into violent clashes that spread across several communities. The conflict claimed many lives and displaced tens of thousands of residents.
The humanitarian consequences were severe. Many displaced persons fled to temporary camps, while others crossed into neighbouring Côte d’Ivoire and Burkina Faso. Tragedy struck again when a boat carrying displaced residents capsized on the Black Volta, resulting in multiple deaths.
Although many victims later returned home with the support of NADMO, the Ghana Red Cross and humanitarian partners, the conflict left deep scars and underscored the fragility of peace in the area.
Public health concern
Public health concerns also featured prominently. In Damongo, a suspected outbreak of African Swine Fever led to the death of many pigs, threatening livelihoods and reviving memories of previous outbreaks that devastated pig farms in the area.
These developments reinforced concerns about disease preparedness, veterinary services and the vulnerability of rural livelihoods.
Insecurity
In the West Mamprusi Municipality in the North East Region, a farmer drowned at Yama while attempting to salvage crops along the White Volta in anticipation of flooding from the Bagre Dam spillage.
The incident highlighted the growing risks faced by farmers whose livelihoods are increasingly shaped by climate variability.
Similarly, two health facilities in the North East Region were shut down following chieftaincy disputes in the area.
The facilities were located at Bimbagu and Ngaama Community-Based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) compounds, all within the Bunkpurugu-Nakpanduri District.
The North East Regional Director of Health Services, Dr Braimah Baba Abubakari, who disclosed this, stated that the facilities had been closed to ensure the safety of health workers and patients.
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