The first Northern Ghana Development Conference was held in Tamale on Monday on the theme: ‘A Conference of Northern People, Leaders and Partners.’
The event, organised by the Parliament of Ghana with support from development partners, aimed to lobby President John Dramani Mahama and his ministers for fair resource allocation to accelerate development in northern Ghana.
Majority Leader and MP for Bawku Central, Mr Mahama Ayariga, said the conference sought to transcend partisanship and unite stakeholders behind a shared agenda for northern development. He emphasised the need to use their experiences, networks, and influence to guide regional ministers, MMDCEs, chiefs, and the private sector to drive economic transformation.
He noted that the conference would help lobby for strategic projects and foster collaboration with development partners and international investors. It would also serve as a platform to monitor government services in key sectors such as education, healthcare, water, electricity, and infrastructure.
Mr Ayariga described the event as a pivotal moment to reflect on the progress, challenges, and aspirations of northern Ghana — aspirations captured as far back as President Kwame Nkrumah’s 1963 Seven-Year Development Plan.
“Elections are over. Our people expect us to use our influence across both major political parties to fight poverty and promote economic opportunities,” he emphasised, and also calling for support from traditional rulers and unity among political leaders.
Minority Leader, Mr Alexander Afenyo-Markin, echoed similar sentiments, stressing that northern development is a shared responsibility. He urged traditional leaders to foster peace, promote education, and ensure that development reflects the true needs of the people.
“As Minority Leader, I join the Northern Caucus in pushing for bold interventions in infrastructure, healthcare, education, and peacebuilding,” he said. He pledged parliamentary support for equitable budget allocations to complete major projects such as the Eastern Corridor road and expand rural electrification and access to clean water.
He also prioritised education, calling for improved facilities, teacher deployment, and more vocational and tertiary institutions to equip the youth with practical skills.
The Paramount Chief of Nanton Traditional Area, Naa Yab Nanton Naa Mahamadu V, pledged the support of traditional rulers for the conference’s objectives. He highlighted the importance of peace in achieving meaningful development and assured the gathering of the chiefs’ commitment to that goal.
The conference was attended by Members of Parliament from northern Ghana, traditional rulers, development partners, youth and women groups, students, and members of the public.
FROM YAHAYA NUHU NADAA, TAMALE