GONJALAND ASSOCIATION OF NORTH AMERICA CONFERENCE

July 5th – July 7th, 2002 in Sterling Park, Virginia, USA.

We the members of the Gonjaland Association of North America (GANA) at our 1st conference held in Sterling Park, Virginia, USA from July 5th –7th, 2002 – do hereby resolve that:

A. Create New Administrative Region in Northern Region

The size and vastness of the current Northern Region adversely limits

1. Effective regional administrative governance, 2. Efficient resource utilization and 3. Educational, Social and Economic Development

We (GANA) shall support the Paramount Chief of Gonja – Yagbonwura, other chiefs, the Gonjaland Youth Association and all ethnic groups in Gonjaland in our desire for the creation of a new administrative region within the current Northern Region with Gonjaland as the nucleus by reason of its vastness and economic potential.

We shall seek the support of President J.A. Kufuor and His administration in our quest for the creation of a new administrative region in the current Northern Region.

B. Education

The deplorable standard of education in Gonjaland requires a cooperative effort by all chiefs, Gonjaland communities, Gonjaland Youth Association, Gonjaland Association of North America (GANA), non-governmental organizations and Ghana Education Service.

GANA’s immediate action to support and promote educational development in Gonjaland includes:

1. Promote computer literacy in all six secondary schools in Gonjaland. 2. Establish a computer-training center in Damongo 3. Identify and select two schools from each district to serve as pilot or model school for educational development of the district. 4. Develop a retention and incentive programs to attract trained teachers to Gonjaland. 5. Develop sister city (USA-Gonjaland) relationships to promote cultural and educational development

C. Agricultural Development

GANA and the Gonjaland Youth Association will lead a campaign for Agriculture (food and livestock production) as a means of sustainable low-income employment as well as providing supplemental incomes for families.

In addition, GANA in conjunction with all Gonjaland Elected Officials, District Assemblies and NGO’s shall promote environmental conservation - reduce the high rate of deforestation as a result of massive firewood and charcoal production. Provide educational campaigns on risks associated with deforestation to our future generations. Encourage District Assemblies to abolish or limit commercial production and shipment of charcoal or firewood in order to minimize the threat of desertification in Gonjaland.

D. Health-care Delivery

GANA shall collaborate with NGO’s to enhance health-care delivery efforts in Gonjaland.

E. Gonjaland Unity

We recognize Unity and Peace as necessary ingredients for Social and Economic transformation and as such, we shall promote all efforts to foster and sustain understanding among all Gonjaland people.

Respect for our chiefs as traditional rulers and the rule of law shall be the basis for sustaining Unity and Peace in Gonjaland.