The Paramount Chief of Bongo, Naba Baba Salifu Atamale Aleemyarum, has appealed to the Coastal States Stability Mechanism (CSSM) to support the construction of a standard football pitch in the Bongo District, arguing that sports can keep young people positively engaged and contribute to sustaining peace.
Naba Aleemyarum said the district currently lacks a proper field for sporting activities despite its youthful population, and called for investment in recreational infrastructure alongside interventions aimed at strengthening security.
He made the appeal during the commissioning of the rehabilitated Bongo District Police Station, a project undertaken by the Bongo District Assembly with support from CSSM.
“I cannot leave that behind as the father of the district. I know when there’s peace in a community then the people will have to also rejoice like it is said that all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. The youth must be engaged in activities that will make them feel the peace that they are enjoying in their community and what activities will they have to feel? Activities like football, sporting activities,” he said.
The Paramount Chief said providing young people with opportunities to participate in sports could help direct their energies towards productive activities.
“Unfortunately, in the district we don’t have a proper field for sporting activities and so for me I am personally requesting and appealing to CSSM to give us a standard football pitch so that the youth will be able to do sporting activities as part of the peace that they are enjoying so that they will not have the mind of doing negative activities,” he said.
The appeal came as Naba Aleemyarum welcomed the rehabilitation of the Bongo District Police Station, describing the extent and quality of the work as comparable to providing the district with a new facility.
The police station was rehabilitated under CSSM, an initiative funded by the governments of Germany, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom and implemented by the International Organization for Migration.
Naba Aleemyarum also expressed appreciation to CSSM for previous support to the Bongo Technical Institute, including the provision of equipment and a generator.
“CSSM we are very grateful for all that you have done for us especially for the Technical Institute. The equipment’s that you provided for that institute, the generator and all those equipment’s was very dear to my heart. I want to thank you so much,” he said.
The Paramount Chief also backed an appeal by Bongo District Chief Executive Diana Asoketarige Ayamga for additional infrastructure at the institute.
“Like my DCE said we need some expansions and I believe that that one is a capital project but I know the love that you have for the people of Bongo and your relationship with Ghana, I believe that you will squeeze water out of stone to provide more structures for us,” he said.
Naba Aleemyarum said continued investment in education, security and recreational facilities would provide opportunities for young people while helping communities benefit from the peace and stability they currently enjoy.
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