Government has inaugurated a 30-member team to lead the implementation of the Infrastructure for Poverty Eradication Programme (IPEP) in Northern Ghana.
The team has a representation of 10 people from the three regions of the north.
It is mandated to conduct community needs assessment in all constituencies in the three regions of the north.
It is expected to submit a report needed for implementation of programs under the yet to be established Northern Development Authority (NDA).
The IPEP encompasses the one-district-one factory, one-village-one dam, one-constituency-US$1million and one-district one warehouse among other pro-poor programmes enshrined in the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) 2016 manifesto.
The Minister for Special Development Initiatives, Mavis Hawa Koomson inaugurated the team in Tamale.
She implored the team to speed up its assessment and present a comprehensive report for government’s perusal.
She reiterated government’s commitment to narrow the development disparities between northern and southern Ghana through a well-tailored poverty alleviation programme.
“It is the wish of government to see the inequality gap reduced drastically in the coming years since IPEP is expected to address challenges confronting the growth of rural economies.”
She said the Savannah Accelerated Development Authority, host of the IPEP team for Northern Ghana will soon be renamed the Northern Development Authority.
“This is in line with government’s thought and plans to restructure the organisation to cater for more development needs and challenges confronting Northern Ghana.”
Deputy Northern Regional Minister, Solomon Boar admonished the IPEP team to live beyond reproach.
The Bunkprugu Legislator further tasked the team to work and deliver results within the stipulated period fixed.
“The needs assessment will provide information on constituency infrastructure projects to complement the government flagship programme such as one village one dam, water for all and warehouse per district among others.”
“The IPEP programme is to focus on directing capital expenditure towards constituency level infrastructure and economic development priorities with particular emphasis on rural and deprived communities.”
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By: Abdul Karim Naatogmah/citifmonline.com/Ghana