Deputy Minister Tours newly created districts in Upper East

Mr. Elvis Afriyie Ankrah, Deputy Minister of Local Government and Rural Development has assured the chiefs and people of Pusiga and Binduri of government’s commitment to transform and develop all areas of the country equitably.

He noted that the creation of new districts throughout the country would enhance the socio-economic circumstances of the ordinary Ghanaian and bring development to the doorsteps of the people.

Mr. Afriyie-Ankrah said this during a working visit to some newly created districts in the Upper East Region to enable him to ascertain the level of preparedness of those new districts before their inauguration shortly.

He said the creation of the districts was initiated by the government of Ghana to bring governance through decentralization to the doorsteps of the people.

“The NDC government, as a social democratic one, recognizes that bringing development to all Ghanaians is fundamental. It is for this reason that there is the creation of some 46 new districts throughout the country which would manifest positively in the lives of the ordinary Ghanaian” he stated.

Mr. Dominic Azumah, Member of Parliament (MP) for Garu-Tempani and Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee for Local Government, indicated that each district would be allocated GH¢1 million as start-up capital to run the district with an additional GH¢4,526,000 as their share of the district assemblies common fund.

He called on the chiefs of both communities to help accelerate the pace of development in their respective areas, cautioning them against ethnic and divisive tendencies that would undermine development and transformation.

“Peace is the only means by which we can develop as a people. Let’s live together as one people focused on enhancing a sustained development.”

The Chief of Pusiga, Alhaji Ibrahim Ayuma Akwaka and the chief of Binduri, Naba Akuob Akolbilla Robert, pledged their support for the development of their communities with the creation of the new districts.

At separate meetings with the visiting team, the chiefs expressed appreciation to government for the move, and said it had brought them some independence.

Meanwhile, the Ghana News Agency has gathered that there were some potential conflicts over the siting of the district capital at Binduri.**