‘Development must not always begin from Accra’ — Anwelle Foundation launched in Jirapa
The Paramount Chief of the Jirapa Traditional Area, Naa Di-Naa Donlabong III, has called on residents and natives of Jirapa living outside the community to take greater responsibility for its development instead of relying solely on government. He made the call at the launch of the Anwelle Foundation in Jirapa in the Upper West Region, where he urged citizens to bring their resources, expertise and networks home to help tackle poverty and youth unemployment. “Development does not always have to begin from Accra. It can begin here. It can begin from a young man who refuses to give up on his community; it can begin from a woman farmer, a teacher, a student, a philanthropist, or from the traditional palace. And sometimes, it can begin with nothing more than a decision to care,” Naa Di-Naa Donlabong III said. The foundation is focused on addressing resource gaps in rural communities through interventions in education, youth empowerment, sustainable livelihoods and rural development. The Paramount Chief said sustainable development required communities to look beyond government for solutions and encouraged sons and daughters of Jirapa across the world to return with their capital, academic knowledge, professional expertise and networks.