(Daily Graphic, Nov 11, 2011, Page 17)
THE
Northern Regional Minister, Mr Bukari Moses Mabengba has stated that the
creation of the six new districts in the Northern Region would enhance the
political administration of the region.
He said this development would not only
deepen decentralisation, but also serve as a catalyst for the transformation of
many communities in the region, which hitherto gained very little from the
national kitty.
The minister mentioned that he had
already set in motion a process to access the needs of the new districts so
that the government could plan how to support these districts when they are
inaugurated.
“I have commissioned two assessment
teams, one led by my deputy and the other by me. We are ascertaining, among
other things, which facilities are available in all these areas for
administrative purposes,” he explained.
Mr Mabengba made these remarks on
Tuesday when the chiefs and people of the Tatale and Sangule areas paid a
courtesy call on him to express.
As per the announcement by the Minister
for Local Government and Rural Development, Mr Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, the number
of districts in the Northern Region would increase from 18 to 24 when the newly
created districts are approved.
The new districts are Kumbungu, Mamprugu/Madugu,
Tatale/Sangule, Doboya, Sanerigu and Mion districts.
The Northern Region is the largest in
the country occupying about one-third of the country’s land mass and due to
this, its administration had often posed a challenge to various political and
administrative heads in the region.
“A region of such size requires more
administrative districts so as to make local government effective,” Mr Mabenga
stated.
He said the increase in the number of
districts would also bring about the devolution of political power to the
grassroots and thereby ensure their participation in decision making.
On the disagreements generated in some
communities regarding some of the newly-created districts, the minister said
such concerns were to be expected.
“Anytime, new districts are created, we
always have pockets of dissenting voices, especially regarding the choice of
capital twons,” he said.
He however noted that there was no cause
for alarm because such disagreements were being managed effectively and would not
be prolonged.
The minister urged the chiefs and
traditional heads of the newly created districts to forge a concerted effort to
lift their communities out of poverty and joblessness.
“Your districts can only move forward if
you are willing to work hand in hand with the assembly to lobby for projects,
generate funds, and also ensure the smooth implementation of all projects in
your localities,” he said.
“But most of all, you must eschew any
divisive tendencies and work towards maintaining peace by addressing, amicably,
any differences that may emerge among yourselves,” he further stated.
In a statement read on behalf of the paramount
chiefs of the Tatale and Sangule areas, they lauded the government for giving
them a district of their own, noting that it would enhance development in that
part of the region.
They expressed gratitude to the regional
minister, stressing that the creation of the Tatale/Sangule district would not
have been possible without his personal intervention and support.
“We will remain grateful to you and the
NDC government for delivering to us our share of the government’s Better Ghana
Agenda,” the statement read.
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