Major issues discussed at the NDF Executive Committee meeting held at Dr. Wemah’s Residence, Accra on Saturday January 17, 2009.
Present
1. Dr. Hakeem Wemah, – Chairman of NDF
2 Mr. Adam Sulley, -Chairman, Finance and Fund- Raising Committee and Rep of Upper West Region
3 Mrs. Susanna Mahama, -Rep. of Upper East Region
4. Dr. Hafez Adam Taher, -Rep. of the Northern Region
5. Mr. Bennet Mahama -Head of Publicity Committee
6. Mr. Lucas Chigabatia -Member of Data Base Committee
7. Ben Assorow
Opening and Welcome
The meeting started at 10.30 am with a prayer by Mr. Mahama.
Dr. Wemah welcomed members to the meeting and wished all a happy New Year. He stressed the need for NDF to redouble her efforts in contributing to the successful implementation of the Northern Development Fund.
Congratulatory Letters
Drafts of congratulatory letters to the following were revised and approved for distribution:
A. His Excelency, Prof J.E.A Mills on his election as President of Ghana.
B. His Excellency Hon. John D. Mahama on his election as Vice-President of Ghana.
C. Togbe Afede XIV Agbogbomrfia of Asogli Traditional Area, on his election as President of the Volta Regional House of Chiefs.
D. Naa Prof. John Sebiyam Nabila – as President of the National House of Chiefs
E. Danimon Naa Gori II – as President of the Upper West Regional House of Chiefs.
F. Pe Charles Awia Awanpaga – as President of the Upper East Regional House of Chiefs.
Courtesy Calls
It was decided that courtesy calls be paid to the following:
A. Dr. Edward Mahama Flag bearer of the People’s National Convention in the 2008 Elections.
B. Dr. Forster Abu Sakara Running Mate of the Presidential Candidate of the Convention People’s Party in the 2008 elections.
C. Dr. M. Bawumia, Running Mate of the Presidential Candidate of the New Patriotic Party in the 2008 elections.
D. Sir Chief Peter Nanfuri for various reasons.
E. Northern Members of Parliament – on their elections as MPs and on the NDF issues.
F. Mr. P.V. Obeng for his great interest in the NDF.
Draft Programme of Activities for the Year-2009
The under-listed were suggested as issues to be undertaken in the course of the year:
1. Organise a Reception/Cocktail for opinion leaders of the North and two representatives each from the various identifiable ethnic/tribal groups of the North resident in Accra and Tema.
2. Launch NDF Web site
3. Organise Regional Durbars and the formation of NDF branches on the Regional and Tertiary Institutional levels.
4. Organise a Fund-Raising activity in Accra e.g. a Food Fair.
5. Set up a functioning Secretariat for NDF in Accra – Office space provided by Dr. Wemah.
6. Inaugurate the various working committees of NDF
7. Lobby for a role in the selection of personnel for the management of the Northern Development Fund/ Northern Development Authority.
Telephone Conversation with Mr. P.V. Obeng
During the meeting the Chairman of ND, Dr. Wemah, had a telephone conversation with Mr. P.V. Obeng who is a member of the Transitional Team of the NDC Government. The latter promised to do what he could to get the Government to give NDF a voice in the management of the Northern Development Fund. He also asked NDF to present a memo to the President of Ghana on how and why NDF came about and to make suggestions for the management of the Fund.
Mr. Chigabatia promised to prepare a draft of the memo.
Information
A. Dr. Wemah briefed members on the Forum’s representation and presentation made at the funeral of the father of Dr. Sulley Gariba in Tamale. Dr. Wemah, Mr. Sulley Adam and Mr. Adam Alhassan attended the funeral on behalf of NDF.
B. All official activities are to be recorded/photographed for documentation and in some cases for the media.
C. The Executive Committee, Chairmen and Secretaries of the various committees will hold a meeting on Saturday, February 2009 to prepare an agenda for the General meeting of the NDF on Sunday, February 15, 2009 at Christ the King parish Hall, Accra.
Closing
The meeting closed at 12.30pm with a prayer by Dr. Hafiz.
Recorded by Ben Assorow
