The District Chief Executive (DCE) for the Tatale-Sanguli District, Hon. Mary Tagba, has called on the Bassare people to make love, unity and mutual respect the foundation for the development of their community.
She said divisions, unnecessary conflicts and disrespect among members of the community could undermine the collective efforts needed to bring meaningful development to the Bassare people.
Hon. Tagba made the call when she attended the 2026 Bassare Youth Association (BAYA) Congress at Kpandia on Saturday, September 20, where she joined traditional authorities, community leaders, youth and other stakeholders for the gathering.
The DCE, who previously served as the National Treasurer of BAYA, also participated in the election of new national executives of the association by casting her vote.
She described the election as an important step towards renewing the leadership of the association, particularly after the previous executives had served for a considerable period.
During the congress, Hon. Tagba also engaged several prominent Bassare personalities and development-oriented individuals on the need for collective action to advance the development of the community.
According to her, the development of the Bassare community could not be achieved by a few individuals but required the contributions, experience and commitment of all members.
Unity
A major highlight of the congress was the introduction of Hon. Mary Tagba as the first Bassare woman in history to serve as a District Chief Executive.
Her achievement was acknowledged by the gathering, with speakers and participants recognising the significance of her elevation to a position of public leadership.
Addressing the congress, Hon. Tagba congratulated the organisers for bringing together members of the Bassare community and urged them to make unity their foremost priority.
She said unity must be anchored in mutual respect, irrespective of one’s educational background, social standing or position in society.
The DCE stressed that while formal education was important, knowledge, wisdom and valuable life experiences were not acquired exclusively through the classroom.
She therefore urged educated Bassares to respect those without formal education and recognise the contributions they could make towards the advancement of the community.
She noted that every individual had a role to play in the development of the Bassare community and that no one should be made to feel inferior because of his or her educational background.
‘Let Love Lead’
Hon. Tagba used the occasion to make a passionate appeal for love among the Bassare people, warning that the absence of love could create divisions and conflicts capable of destroying the community’s development prospects.
“When we Bassares let love lead, one person will not easily pick up a gun against another Bassare. When there is love among us, we will also be careful about the words we speak to one another,” she said.
She further cautioned Bassares against considering the downfall or destruction of another community member as a victory.
According to her, when a Bassare person is harmed or lost through conflict, the community does not eliminate an enemy but rather loses someone who could have contributed to its development.
She consequently urged community members to carefully consider their actions and words, particularly during disagreements, and avoid situations that could threaten peace and unity.
Beyond Bassare
The DCE also extended her call for peace and mutual respect to residents of the Tatale-Sanguli District.
She noted that the district was home to people from different tribes and ethnic groups and said peaceful coexistence among the various communities was essential for development.
Drawing from her experience as a politician and District Chief Executive, appointed by President John Dramani Mahama, Hon. Tagba urged residents to avoid unnecessary arguments and divisions that could disrupt the peace required for development.
She also appealed to traditional leaders, including chiefs and queen mothers, to continue supporting politicians and development initiatives in their communities.
She said such support should be constructive and geared towards creating an environment in which development programmes and projects could thrive.
Surprise Award
In a surprise development at the congress, Hon. Mary Tagba was presented with a Leadership and Public Service Award by the Bassare Youth Association.
The award recognised her previous service to BAYA, her historic achievement as the first Bassare woman to become a District Chief Executive and her contribution to public and community development.
The association also acknowledged her inspirational role among young Bassares, particularly women and girls, demonstrating that Bassare women could attain leadership positions and contribute meaningfully to public service.
The citation accompanying the award praised her journey and noted that when women were given opportunities to lead, they could become agents of progress and inspiration.
The recognition brought together different aspects of Hon. Tagba’s journey—from her service within BAYA to her current role as District Chief Executive.
Her participation in the 2026 BAYA Congress therefore became an occasion not only for the renewal of the association’s leadership but also for reflection on the importance of unity, peace and collective responsibility.
Hon. Tagba’s central message was that the development of the Bassare community required all its members to work together, respect one another and allow love to guide their actions.
She urged Bassares to put aside divisions, strengthen their bonds and focus on building a community capable of creating opportunities for present and future generations.
“Let love lead among us. Let unity strengthen us, and let our collective efforts build a stronger Bassare community.”
