MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE NORTHERN DEVELOPMENT FORUM (NDF) HELD ON SUNDAY, AUGUST 31,2008 AT THE GHANA BORADCASTING CORPORATION (GBC) CLUB HOUSE, ACCRA.
1.0 OPENING AND WELCOME ADDRESS
The meeting started at 3:15 pm, with an opening prayer by Rev Dr S. Asore .
The chairman of NDF, Dr Hakeem Wemah, commended members, especially the youth and women present, for taking time off their busy schedule to attend the meeting. This was immediately followed by self-introduction of members. There were about 250 people at the meeting.
2.0 BACKGROUND ON THE FORMATION OF NDF
According to Dr. Wemah, NDF was formed following last year’s floods that hit the three Northern Regions causing enormous havoc to lives and property. It was therefore imperative for northerners to come together and push forward a developmental agenda that would stand the test of time.
It was also formed on the values and ideals of being Non –political (Partisan)and Non –Religious.
NDF is mainly focused on addressing the Educational and Socio-economic development needs of the people of the three northern regions.
Since its formation on September 30, 2007, the Executive members of NDF have met or have had contact with the following stakeholders:
a) The Vice President of the Republic of Ghana, His Excellency, Alhaji Aliu Mahama.
b) The members of the Council of State from the three Northern Regions.
c) Members of Parliament from the three Northern Regions.
d) The Regional Houses of Chiefs of the three regions.
e) Chief Directors and Directors from the North working at the various ministries in Accra and other regions
f) Some Partner /Donor Agencies.
g) Civil Societies: WANEP, and 1(0ne)Ghana for Peace Initiative of Musician Obuor.
h) Identifiable Associations from the North like: BONABOTO, Upper East Association in Sekondi- Takoradi, etc.
In order for NDF to achieve its object, an Interim working group has been set up comprising the following committees;
1. Fund-Raising and Finance Committee
2. Reconstruction and Development Committee
3. Publicity and Public Affairs Committee, and
4. Databank and Research Committee.
There is also a larger representative group of 10 people each from the Upper East and Upper West Regions and 15 from the Northern Region.
NDF is also making conscious effort in bringing elders and opinion leaders of the North together, in order to share with the Forum their expertise and wisdom.
3.0 SUMMARY OF REPORTS FROM THE COMMITTEES OF NDF:
3.1 FUND-RAISING AND FINANCE COMMITTEE
The chairman of the Committee, Mr. Adam Sulley, reported that the committee met on October 16, 2007 with an ace musician, Kojo Antwi with his group known as Concerned Artistes for Disaster Relief (CADRE) who expressed interest to collaborate with NDF to organise a musical concert in raising funds for the flood victims. A report of a musical performance of CADRE is yet to be received by NDF.
Recently, NDF received a donation of GHC5, 000 from some Ghanaians in New York. This has been deposited at the NDF account in the Agricultural Development Bank. NDF also has US$1,000 in its account. This is part of a US$ 1,400.00 donation from Ghanaians working at the Africa Development Bank in Tunis, Tunisia.
Following the effects of this year’s floods, NDF is making arrangements to present relief items to the disaster victims in Upper East and Upper West through the following contact persons:
– Mr.Daniel AgoriyInga in Bolgatanga
– Mr. Chris Labial in Wa
The committee appealed to members of NDF and friends of the North for more donations.
It will be recalled that a report had earlier in the year been given on relief items valued at about GHC 20, 000 that was sent to victims of last year’s flood victims in the three Northern Regions by NDF.
3.2 DATA BANK RESEARCH COMMITTEE
Mr. Lucas Chigabatia who made the presentation on behalf of the committee, informed the meeting that a website for the Forum has been designed. The Committee is therefore awaiting inputs from members and approval before it is officially launched. The Website , he said would enable members and the public to access information about the Forum and also to enhance online registration of members. Presently, the Forum has 210 registered members. Meanwhile, registration of new members is on-going. He promised to create e-mail addresses for members who do not have such addresses.
After approval and launching of the website the Public Affairs Committee will manage the website.
3. 3 PUBLIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
The committee’s report was presented by Mr. B. Mahama. He said that the objectives of the Committee included the following:
-To sensitize the public, including government, international Partner Agencies, Northerners and many other identifiable groupings about the activities of NDF.
-To establish a deliberate, sustainable and a systematic program for the Northern part of Ghana.
– To inform the Forum on new policies and initiatives through research and surveys.
IMMEDIATE ACTION PLAN OF THE COMMITTEE:
PUBLIC EDUCATION i.e. workshops, personnel trainings, publicity, advertising and media relations.
PUBLIC REACTIONS: By organizing Special events i.e. by promoting Northern culture and fund raising events, this will require expertise from technocrats within the group.
3.4. RECONSTRUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
There was no report from this committee.
4.0 SITUATIONAL REPORT ON BAWKU- BY MR. BOMBANDE
According to Mr. Emmanuel Bombande, who is the Executive Secretary of WANEP, There are two emerging trends from the recent Bawku conflict i.e.
1. Attitude of vengeance from both factions.
2. The involvement of minority tribes which has worsen an already precarious situation. Hitherto the minority tribes maintained a neutral stand.
INITIATIVES UNDERTAKEN
Due to the emergence of these two recent trends a lot of murders went on unreported. Therefore, WANEP in consultation with the National Peace Council intervened thereby leading to the following initiatives:
-The immediate response from the Security Agencies, in bringing the situation under control.
-Repeated visits to Bawku by the National Peace Council
-The Street March by women of both factions calling for an end to the conflict.
-Coalition of Civil Society advocating for peace through programs on the local FM stations.
-Finally, the assurance from Bawku Naba to ensure the safety of persons engaged in farming and other businesses.
All these initiatives by the various groupings contributed to the current relative peace in Bawku.
WAY FORWARD
In due course, the National Peace Council in conjunction with NDF would meet all interested parties in the Bawku conflict on a neutral ground to find a lasting solution the conflict. The groups will include the youth, women, chiefs, religious leaders, opinion leaders and other interested groups. He mentioned that there would also be interventions from ECOWAS.
Mr. Bombande noted that currently, economic and social activities have returned to normalcy in Bawku. He however, stressed that “ we should not be deceived by these events since they can be described as an uneasy calm.”
5.0 STRATEGY FOR THE DEVELOPOMENT OF THE NORTH
Dr. Sulley Gariba and Dr.Charles Jebuni briefed the meeting on what they have been doing in respect of the development of the North.
According to Dr Gariba, the NDF( with technical contribution of the two of them) in consultation with government, civil society, and development partners have mapped out a short to long-term strategy in developing the North.
Dr Jabuni outlined the following objectives:
– To revise a strategy to bridge the gap between the North and the South of Ghana.
– To adopt a long lasting or resilient program for the development of the north.
ACTION PLAN
He said, to achieve full economic growth of the North, there must be a paradigm shift from the old policies of just giving out Aid which he pointed out has for several decades failed to achieve results.
He therefore suggested two major solutions i.e.
1. Agricultural modernization/ mechanization i.e. by having a “Northern cocoa” this he said must be driven by the abundance of natural resources in the north i.e. land and sunshine under which economic trees like mangoes, sheanut and cashew thrive very well.
To achieve this requires a major government intervention.
2. Industry: He said, industrialization in the North would open up to wide range of opportunities. This, again he said, would only require specific government intervention targeted at the industrialization of the North.
Dr. Jebuni suggested this important matter be addressed by the NDF at another forum for the drawing up of a document to be presented to the Government and indeed Parliament. It was therefore decided that such a meeting be held on Sunday, September 14, 2008.
6.0 REPORTS FROM INTERESTED GROUPS
6.1 BONABOTO
Mr. Matthew Adombire President of BONABOTO informed the meeting that the objective of the group is to enhance the development of the three Northern Regions. However, BONABOTO is faced with the challenge of Government’s inaction to some of their concerns. According to him, BONABOTO is appealing to the NDF to take advantage of the forth-coming elections to orgainse a forum for the various political parties to outline their development agenda or programme for three Northern Regions.
The meeting lauded it as a very good idea and decided that the matter be looked at again for the modalities to be worked out.
6.2 AFRICAN PEACE BUILDING GROUP
The head of the Group, Dr. S. Tobiga, expressed his group’s intention to work with NDF in promoting the interest of the North.
6.3 GROUP OF WOMEN FROM THE NORTH
Madam Comfort Awinya who was expected to brief the NDF about this group sent an apology for not making it to the meeting.
64 ANANSE REACH CONCEPT
The National President of the Concept Emefa Anansewaa, Ms. Rashida Yengbe, said that the Concept is building a children’s Park in Tamale and is appealing to NDF for support. She distributed some literature on the Concept.
6.4 NORTHERN STUDENTS’ UNION
A representative from IPS speaking on behalf of students from the three Northern Regions in Accra made a passionate appeal for peace to prevail in the north of Ghana. He wished NDF well in its endeavours.
7.0 SOME INTERVENTIONS FROM THE MEMBERS
Many members emphasised that some of the ways to prevent conflicts in the North is to give quality education and employment to the youth.
-Another concern that was raised was that of the situation of the street porters who are mainly from the North.
-NDF was urged to engage the Government for more development projects for the North.
– A call on NDF to put pressure on Government to help reduce the problems associated with the school feeding grants for schools in the three Northern Regions.
8.0 CHAIRMAN’S CLOSING REMARKS
Dr. Wemah in his closing remarks asked members who have concerns to be addressed by the NDF to put them into writing for consideration.
He suggested that the Forum meet at a different place since the current venue would not be very convenient for power point-presentation by Dr. Jebuni and Dr. Gariba on September 14, 2008. It was therefore decided that the Parish Hall of Christ The King Catholic Church be booked for the next meeting.
Dr. Wemah thanked members for attending the meeting and hoped that they would turn up in their numbers at the next one. He also appealed to all members to inform their friends about the next meeting.
9.0 DATE FOR THE NEXT MEETING.
The next meeting will be held on Sunday, September 2008 at 3.00pm at Christ The King Catholic Church, opposite the new Presidential Palace ( Flagstaff House), Accra.
The meeting ended with a closing prayer by Malam Seidu at 5:20pm.
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Recorded by Ben Assorow. To be Signed by the Chairman of NDF after
approval at the next meeting.
