Busanga Community Unveils Dev't Plan

Mr Ibrahim Bukari Baba (L) in a handshake with Sori Paida after the meeting

The National Executive Committee of the Bissa (Busanga) Development Association has unveiled a five-year development plan for the group.

The plan borders on economic empowerment and education of members, as well as re-afforestation of the Bissa Belt in the Upper East Region, among others.

This was disclosed during a meeting with the Lemagan, head of the Bissa tribe Sori Paida at his residence near the Regent University on the Kasoa Road over the weekend.

In attendance were the national chairman of the group, Ibrahim Bukari Baba, national organizer Alhaji Bomba, Karim Dubru, Haruna Alhassan, formerly of Metro TV and Hajia Damata, all of the Bissa Study Group.

A committee was also inaugurated to guide the national executives of the Bissa Development Association on behalf of the Lemagan.

Chairman of the group, Ibrahim Bukari Baba briefed the association on what he had done so far to advance the cause of the Bissa community.

He disclosed that this year he has extended his scholarship scheme to tertiary institutions for brilliant but needy students of Bissa origin.

Mr Bukari Baba added that he had also started a plantation and nursed about 500 seedlings for Bissa farmers back in the Upper East Region.

In Ghana, the Bissa or Busanga people are found in the Brong Ahafo, Northern and mostly Upper East regions.

Their language Bissa is a Mande language and they are famous for their love for groundnuts.

An alternate name for the Bissa or Busanga is Busansi, which is used by the Mossi people.

Daniel McFarland’s 'Historical Dictionary of Upper Volta' refers to them as “intrusive Mande , who settled in the area along the White Volta below Tenkodogo by 1300.

According to some traditions, Rialle, progenitor of the Nakomse line of Mossi rulers was Bissa.

The Bissa are known for their cultivation and love for groundnuts.

Traditionally, a Bissa man who wants to court a Bissa girl must work in her mother’s groundnut field and be able to provide the girl with her own groundnut field if they get married.

By Kofi Owusu Aduonum