Minister for Local Government and Rural Development, Julius Debrah is unhappy about the politicization of the District Assembly and Unit Committee elections.
He noted with deep concern that politicization of the district assembly concept has over the years undermined the efficacy of the local governance system.
He has therefore admonished the chiefs and people of the Northern Region to depoliticize the upcoming district assembly and unit committee elections scheduled for March 3, 2015.
[contextly_sidebar id=”OvjTJ4x2fOfExdPMbAdRyQWjxl3eNwCZ”]He also bemoaned the low participation which characterized previous District Assembly and Unit Committee elections and underscored the need for citizens in the region to actively participate in the upcoming ballots.
This in Julius Debrah’s estimation will lead to the election of competent and loyal people to serve their interest at the various assemblies.
The Local Government and Rural Development Minister raised this concern when he paid a courtesy on the Nayiri, Naa Bahigu Mahami Abdulai Sheriga, overlord of the Mamprugu Traditional Area at his palace in Nalerigu.
The visit marked the beginning of his administration’s five day’s working tour of some districts in the Northern Region to interact with the chiefs and people, inspect government’s ongoing and completed projects.
Julius Debrah implored traditional authorities in the area to encourage high voter turnout on the elections day.
He rolled out what he described as government’s four thematic areas comprising Small and Micro Enterprise Development, adaptation of the Tamale Social Housing Project, Environmental Sanitation and deepening Decentralization of the Local Governance System.
He said the President John Dramani Mahama led National Democratic Congress (NDC) administration was poised to develop the country in line with the Better Ghana agenda.
Julius Debrah gave the Nayiri the opportunity to make request for development projects in the areas of sanitation and water which he promised to execute.
He promised the Nayiri two boreholes, two modern toilet facilities and 200 dustbins in addition to another consignment for the East Mamprusi District Assembly for onward distribution.
National Sanitation Day Exercise
The Local Government and Rural Development Minister reiterated the need for the chiefs and people of the Northern Region to place premium on the forthcoming National Sanitation Day exercise scheduled for Saturday February 7, 2015.
He emphasized that good hygiene and environmental management was a collective responsibility, hence the need for Ghanaians to wholeheartedly embrace the concept.
He kicked against open defecation and pleaded with the overlord of Mamprugu land to advise his people to stop the practice.
At a meeting with members of the East Mamprusi District Assembly, Julius Debrah impressed upon them to eschew petty squabbles and assist the District Chief Executive, Adam Imoro to develop the area.
He revealed that government was working on a package as ex-gratia for the assembly members and challenged them to live beyond reproach.
He tasked the assembly members to lead the crusade against open defecation in their electoral areas.
The Northern Regional Minister, Alhaji Mohammed Muniru Limuna commended the people of Mamprugu land for their loyalty to the governing NDC.
He pointed to the construction of the Walewale/Gambaga/Nalerigu road as one of the major ongoing projects government promised them.
Alhaji Limuna said President John Dramani Mahama will continue to tap the wisdom of traditional leaders in the country to make the nation a safe haven for all.
He buttressed the call for massive participation in the forthcoming National Sanitation Day exercise to be hosted by the Northern Region.
The Nayiri Mahami Bahigu Sheriga thanked government for fulfilling some its campaign promises.
He said the NDC as a political party from Jerry John Rawlings’ military regime to President Mahama’s administration was noted for its unprecedented records within the scheme of national development.
He invoked the almighty God to protect President Mahama and his Ministers to leave a remarkable footprint after their tenure of office.
The Nayiri pledged his commitment to sustain the National Sanitation Day exercise in Mamprugu land.
He showed appreciation for the two boreholes, the two modern facilities and the 200 dustbins the Local Government and Rural Development Minister promised him.
Government Projects
Among the projects the Minister inspected in the East Mamprusi District included a 50 bed capacity maternity ward at the Baptist Medical Centre, numerous infrastructure at the Gambaga College of Education, 1500 bed capacity dormitory at the Gambaga Girls Senior High School and 1800 capacity dining hall at the Gambaga Girls Senior High School.
Julius Debrah again promised the schools two boreholes and two modern toilet facilities each.
President of the Gambaga College of Education Students Representative Council, Ali Wuni Abdul Majeed and Headmistress of the Gambaga Girls Senior High School extolled government for the rapid infrastructural growth.
Whilst the Gambaga College of Education SRC President called for mainstreaming the college into the National Accreditation Board’s scheme, Headmistress of the Gambaga Girls Senior High School among other demands requested for staff bungalows and a fenced wall to avoid poaching on the school land.
The Northern Regional Minister, Alhaji Mohammed Muniru Limuna entreated the students to take their academic discipline seriously to become responsible citizens.
West Mamprusi District
The Local Government and Rural Development Minister proceeded to the West Mamprusi District where he paid a courtesy call on the Wungu-Naaba, Naa Saaka Sulemana Zoore.
He promised the Wungu-Naaba equal number of boreholes and modern toilet facilities.
He later inspected a new lorry park with ancillary facilities and 1 no storey, 12 twins store projects at Walewale Township.
Aside the outreach programmes, the Local Government Minister and his two Deputies have been allocated desks at the Northern Regional Coordinating Council where their official correspondence will be administered.
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By: Abdul Karim Naatogmah/Citifmonline.com/Ghana