PRESS CONFERENCE ORGANISED BY THE NORTHERN DEVELOPMENT FORUM (NDF) AT THE GHANA INTERNATIONAL PRESS CENTRE, ACCRA ON THURSDAY NOVEMBER 22, 2007.
Dear Ladies and Gentlemen of the Media, Invited Guests, Friends of the North and members of the NDF, Good Morning!
First, let me thank you for honouring the invitation to this Press Conference.
A group of concerned citizens and friend of Northern Ghana recently got together in order to come up with measures to help the flood victims following the heavy rains and floods that hit and devastated the three regions of northern Ghana. A general meeting of people and friends of the north was convened on September 30 this year. The turn-out was beyond our expectations. Apart from the spontaneity and the crowd that greeted the occasion, the generous out pouring of contributions by all present convinced the organizers that something concrete had to be done in respect of the North. We decided there and then to come up with measures not only to help the flood victims in the short-term but also to draw up comprehensive long-term plans and strategies for finding sustainable and lasting solutions to the distressed situation of our three regions.
Toward the above aspirations, the meeting unanimously endorsed the formation of an organization to be called and referred to as “The Northern Development Forum” (NDF): An organization, the likes of which was felt to have been long overdue. At this juncture, I must state emphatically that the NDF is a non-political and non-sectarian organization. (We represent the interests of the three Northern Regions!).
During this maiden meeting of the Forum a sum of One hundred fifty three million (C153 m) cedis was realised. Consequently, the Forum established a fund known as the Northern Relief Fund. Thus the Northern Development Forum did take a bold initiative to embark on the raising funds to support relief programmes in order to complement the efforts of government, NGOs, Corporate bodies, individuals and the like.
The Fund is currently being managed by (a three-person committee): one person from each of the three northern regions. They are Mr. Adam Sulley for the Upper West Region; Mrs. Susana Mahama for the Upper East Region and Dr. Hafez Adam Taher for the Northern Region. The fund is under the Chairmanship of Dr. Hakeem Wemah..
The Forum has other committees. We have chosen ten persons from each of the Upper West and Upper East Regions and fifteen persons from the Northern Region (obviously because of its size) to serve on the following committees:
a) Fund Raising and Finance
b) Reconstruction
c) Public Affairs & Publicity
d) Data Bank and Research
The Forum’s main concern was to contribute financially and materially to support the relief programme in the affected areas, in collaboration with non-governmental organisations, religious bodies, and development partners in an effort to complement the work of the Government of Ghana.
For the details of the income and expenditure accounts of the Fund, I would kindly ask Mr. Adam Sulley, Chairman of the Finance and Fundraising Committee, to handle that later. But before he does that I would like to make special mention of the following persons and/or groups: Togbe Afede, Alhaji Yussif Ibrahim, Mr. P.V Obeng, all MPs from the north, the Northern Education Trust Fund and the Northern Group at the African Development Bank in Tunisia for their generous contributions.
From a total amount of 168,471,000 million cedis that was eventually realised, we made some presentations in the three northern regions as follows:
Northern Region:
250 mini bags of maize and 18 cases of key soap was presented on Tuesday, October 16, 2007 in Tamale. They were received by the Regional Minister in the company of NADMO officials
Upper East Region:
250 mini bags of maize and 13 cases of key soap. These were presented on Wednesday, October 17, 2007 through the Deputy Regional Minister, Coordinating Director and a NADMO official.
Upper West Region:
100 maxi bags of maize and 14 cases of key soap were presented on Thursday, October 18, 2007. to the Regional Minister, his Deputy and an official of NADMO.
Ladies and gentlemen, I must confess that other individuals and organizations have made similar donations to the flood victims of the North. However, I want to single out that of this Forum and state that their reaction and donation was considered special, timely and commendable as it was from no other persons but from the sons and daughters of the three northern regions. In a very little way we have demonstrated to both the local and international donor community that we are very much involved in the welfare of our people.
Another issue that concerned the Forum was to assess the effects of the floods in the three regions. Therefore, information about the impact of the floods on housing, agriculture, health, education and general infrastructure including the effect on the road network is being compiled by the Data Bank and Research Committee (DBRC). This would assist the Forum in ongoing deliberations, presentations and proposals to government and other agencies that the Forum may contact for assistance. It must be noted that in gathering this information we would also rely on various government agencies, district authorities and other non-governmental agencies including those of the United Nations.
Ultimately, the Data Bank will contain information about all aspects of the Social, Political and Economic life of the three northern regions. The objective is to make available facts and figures about the northern part of Ghana, highlighting the social and economic potentials of the three regions, thereby helping to focus attention on the area for the purpose of soliciting development initiatives from interest groups including Government, Non-governmental Organizations, development partners and individuals.
We are not oblivious of the enormity of the task before us and we understand that for this exercise to be successful, a step by step approach must be adopted with the ultimate goal of establishing a comprehensive development plan for Northern Ghana.
Statistics from official sources indicate that 56 people died, about 300,000 were internally displaced, 35,000 houses collapsed, and almost 60,000 farms were destroyed. More than 500 kilometres of roads and a number of bridges have been affected. A large amount of agricultural produce and livestock were also lost. The floods have affected drinking water supply and the health of the people in the three regions. These could be an understatement considering the vast amount of areas in the regions that are not readily accessible.
This year, the rains were very erratic in the beginning of the farming season. Farmers who planted early lost most of their seeds. Those who managed to get seeds to re-plant following the second coming of the rains after a long spell of no rains were hit with floods which did destroy farm lands and food crops. It means that there will be shortage of food in the coming months, particularly in the dry season, as most farmers have harvested less than 20 per cent of what they planted this year. There will be severe famine particularly in the dry season if no meaningful measures are taken to mitigate the effects soon.
As life becomes more difficult as a result of the floods it is expected that many young boys and girls would join the exodus of migrants already crossing borders in search of new livelihoods. Many will move into overcrowded cities where there are hardly any jobs for them. The effect of all what I have described on the entire country is anybody’s guess.
Even without the floods the northern part of Ghana was already in very poor state. The magnitude of the disaster coupled with the prevailing poverty levels are staring us in the face. We cannot play the ostrich. We have to do whatever it is within our means as a country to stand up to the challenge with the hope that with commitment, patriotism, dedication and a sense of purpose and direction we will be able to make meaningful contributions to the development of the North and mother Ghana.
Finally, let me appreciate and commend the Government of Ghana for the support that has so far been given and especially the allocation of GHC 25 million cedis as seed money for the Northern Development Fund. We would like to believe however that this would be increased. As we are all aware, the seed money would not make the desired impact in the light of the magnitude of the disaster and the overall developmental needs of the three regions. We therefore urge the Government to initiate a more comprehensive fund-raising effort and significant budgetary allocation to the North to make the commitment worthwhile.
The time has come for development needs of the North to be defined broadly and to resolve to find a lasting solution to the perennial problems of such a significant part of our country. We, and government must, together, quickly find the resources for long-term development and investment purposes for the North and to free-up as a matter of urgency whatever help is necessary to bring up the North to par. We call upon key stakeholders to be convened by the Government to determine the priorities and develop the strategies necessary for the development of the North. It is our prayer and hope that the words and spirit in the budget would be backed by action and that the Fund will be used judiciously for the betterment of mother Ghana.
It is our pleasant understanding that the Government of Ghana and our Development Partners are considering coming up with a comprehensive programme, a “Marshall plan” so to speak, for the reconstruction and development of the three northern regions in the realm of Housing, Industry, Agriculture, dams for dry season farming, Education, Health, Roads, River and Transport to mention but a few. We on our part are prepared to be involved in finding a more lasting solution for the general development of the three regions.
We would like to express our appreciation to the Government of Ghana, Development Partners, Diplomatic Missions, NGO’s, Religious Bodies, Traditional Rulers, the Private/Business Sectors and individuals who in one way or the other have come to the aid of the victims of the floods. As you are aware the flood victims would need support for a long time to come.
We therefore will appreciate contributions from individuals and or organizations; contributions may be sent to any of the following accounts that have been opened at the Agricultural Development Bank (ADB).
ADB House, Accra:
Cedi Account Number: 1161000002986
US Dollar Account: 1162000000348
All payments can be made at any ADB branch throughout the country
Ladies and Gentlemen, at this opportune stage when all well-meaning Ghanaians and development partners are focusing attention on the northern problems, it is imperative that all northern Ghanaians, NGO’s and organisations with interest in the north, be they of Northern origin themselves or not, speak with one voice on all issues affecting the three northern regions. The NDF hopes to provide that platform for achieving this objective.
We wish to express our solidarity and also sympathise with people of other parts of Ghana and elsewhere in Africa who have been affected by floods.
May we take this opportunity to congratulate the media for the good coverage of the floods and your concern for the development of our country. We will continue to rely on your support in highlighting the concerns and needs of the north and the general development of our country, Ghana.
Thank you very much for your attendance and patience and May the
Almighty give us all what it takes in finding sustainable solutions to development of our dear country Ghana.
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Contacts
1. Dr. Hakeem Wemah, Chairman of NDF -0244327585
2. Mr. Adam U. Sulley, Chairman Finance and Fund
Raising Committee and Rep of Upper West Region – 0244311802
3. Mrs. Susanna Mahama, Rep. of Upper East Region -0244657083
4. Dr. Hafez Adam Taher, Rep. of the Northern Region -0244382173
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Ex-Officio Members
1. Dr. Sulley Gariba 0244547241
2. Ben Assorow 0244274186
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