The Paramount Chief of the Saboba Traditional Area, Ubor Bowan Mateer John Sakojim IV, has appealed to President John Dramani Mahama to prioritise critical infrastructure and educational projects in the Saboba District to fast-track development.
He said the district continues to lag behind in key development interventions, citing the poor state of the Yendi–Kpalba–Saboba road, the absence of a bridge over the River Oti, and the lack of a tertiary institution as major constraints to growth.
Speaking at the 5th Annual 'Ndipondaan' (Guinea Corn) Festival at Saboba on Saturday, December 6, 2025, Ubor John Sakojim IV described the Yendi–Kpalba–Saboba road as a vital transport route whose deplorable condition threatens lives, restricts movement, and undermines economic activities.
“The road is critical for trade, healthcare delivery, and education, yet it has remained in a sorry state for years,” he said, calling for urgent government intervention.
The Paramount Chief also renewed calls for the construction of a bridge over the River Oti, which forms part of the boundary between Ghana and Togo, noting that the project would boost cross-border trade, create new economic opportunities, and position Saboba as a commercial hub in the sub-region.
On education, he urged the government to establish a state-funded tertiary institution—preferably a teacher training college or nursing training college—to expand access to higher education for the youth, many of whom, he said, are unable to continue their studies due to high costs and long travel distances.
Ubor John Sakojim IV further appealed to the government to integrate Likpakpaln into the basic school curriculum and to post the first batch of graduates with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Likpakpaln Education during the 2026 posting exercise.
Commending the University of Education, Winneba (UEW) for graduating the first batch of 24 Likpakpaln Education students, he described the achievement as “a milestone for the Konkomba people and a major boost to the Ministry of Education’s mother-tongue policy.”
He also called for the provision of a pickup vehicle for the EP Senior High School in Saboba to enhance supervision and administrative work, saying the lack of transportation was affecting effective school management.
The Paramount Chief expressed gratitude to President Mahama for appointing Konkomba natives to key government positions and for the construction of the Jambabuni Bridge on the Saboba–Wapuli road, which he said had improved mobility and security in the area.
The Northern Regional Minister, Ali Adolf John, who represented the President, said the festival’s theme, “Unity in Diversity – The Value of Culture,” resonated with the government’s commitment to inclusive development, equitable resource distribution, and national cohesion.
He urged the chiefs and people of Saboba and the wider Konkomba area to remain united and peaceful, stressing that development can only thrive in a stable environment.
Mr Adolf John also noted that Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) have been strengthened through the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF), and encouraged residents to take an active interest in the work of the District Assembly and support the District Chief Executive to drive local development.
The 'Ndipondaan' Festival, a major cultural celebration of the Konkomba people, brings together chiefs, elders, youth groups, and families from across the country and the diaspora to celebrate the harvest, honour ancestors, and promote unity.
