Tamale: Members of the Northern Caucus of Parliament have convened the first Northern Ghana Development Conference to strategize towards addressing the long-standing development challenges facing the northern part of Ghana. The conference aims to foster bipartisan unity and commitment towards practical solutions for the area's development needs.
According to Ghana News Agency, the conference, held under the theme 'A Conference of Northern People, Leaders and Partners,' was spearheaded by the 9th Parliament of Ghana in collaboration with the Northern Development Authority (NDA) and other key development partners. Members of Parliament (MPs) from the Northern, Upper East, Upper West, North East, and Savannah Regions participated in the event. It also attracted other political leaders, traditional rulers, and civil society actors from across the five regions to harness innovative ideas, forge partnerships, and mobilize resources toward transforming the north.
Notable dignitaries at the conference included Mr. Mahama Ayariga, the Majority Leader in Parliament, Mr. Alexander Afenyo-Markin, the Minority Leader in Parliament, Mr. Julius Debrah, the Chief of Staff at the Office of the President, Mr. Dominic Nitiwul, MP for Bimbilla Constituency, Mr. Haruna Iddrisu, Minister for Education, Naa Mahamadu V, the Paramount Chief of Nanton, and Naa Alhassan Andani, Paramount Chief of Pishigu. Mr. Ayariga emphasized the importance of setting aside partisan differences and building a collective commitment to the northern development agenda. He highlighted the need for MPs to leverage their experience and influence to support regional ministers, local assemblies, traditional leaders, and the private sector in advancing the socio-economic transformation of the north.
Naa Alhassan Andani, the Paramount Chief of the Pishigu Traditional Area, called for a comprehensive national development plan that incorporates the aspirations of the Northern Caucus and promotes equitable distribution of national resources. He stressed that peace is a critical foundation for progress and urged the youth to avoid violence and criminal activities. He also encouraged young people to prioritize skills acquisition to enhance employment opportunities and support the government's efforts to tackle issues of unemployment.
Mr. Julius Debrah, representing President John Dramani Mahama, commended the Northern Caucus for the initiative, describing it as a timely response aligned with the government's commitment to national development.
