Courtesy Call on Northern Members of the Council of State of Ghana by Officials and Members of the Northern Development Forum at the State House, Accra
on Thursday, December 20, 2007.
A. COUNCIL OF STATE MEMBERS
1. HON. MR CLEMENT K. TEDAM, CHAIRMAN OF THE
NORTHERN MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL OF STATE
2. HON. ALHAJI ALHASSAN BIN-SALIH
3. HON. NAA THOMAS TIA SULEMANA
4. HON. KUORU KURI-BUKTIE LIMANN IV – UPPER WEST
5. HON. MR FRANCIS ASIANAB AFOKO – UPPER EAST
Absent with Apology
6. HON. NAA PROF. JOHN S. NABILA NORTHERN REGION
B. NORTHERN DEVELOPMENT FORUM MEMBERS
1. Dr. Hakeem Wemah – Chairman of the NDF
2. Mr. Adam Sulley – Representative of the UWR and Chairman of the Fin. And Fundraising Committee.
3. Dr. Hafiz Adam – Representative of the Northern Region
4. Dr. Sulley Gariba – Ex-Officio Member
5. Ben Assorow – Ex-Officio Member
Absent with Apology
1. Mrs. Susanna Mahama – Representative of the Upper East
Region
Introduction
Following a request by the Chairman of NDF to the Northern members on the Council of State a meeting was held between the two bodies on Thursday December 20, 2007 at the Conference Hall of the Council of State, Accra.
1.0 The meeting started at 10.45 a.m. with a prayer by Ben Assorow. Hon. C. K. Tedam who chaired welcomed the NDF delegation to the meeting
2.0 Dr. Wemah on behalf of the NDF expressed appreciation to the Council of State members for having agreed to receive him and his delegation. This was immediately followed by self-introduction of members of both parties
3.0 Briefing on the NDF
Dr. Wemah then briefed the Council of State members on the activities of the NDF, these include:
i) The ‘First’ meeting of NDF that took place on Sunday, September 30, 2007 in Accra in the wake of the floods that hit the north and other parts of Ghana last year,
ii) Distribution of Relief items to the three Northern Regions by the NDF.
iii) Courtesy calls on the Vice-President of Ghana , His Excellency Aliu Mahama, and the Caucus of Northern Members of Parliament at Parliament House, Accra
iv) Press Conference on NDF and the preparation of a memo to be submitted to the Government of Ghana.
v) Future plans of NDF e.g. visits to Regional Houses of Chiefs in the three Northern Regions.
Details of item i – v may be found in one or the other attached documents on the NDF.
5.0 Mr. Adam Sulley gave a brief report on the financial and fund-raising activities planned to be carried out in Accra and other parts of the country.
6.0 Dr. Sulley Gariba informed the meeting about the Round-Table on the Special Initiative for Sustainable Development in Northern Ghana and the Communiqué that was issued following that meeting. (copies of the communiqué were given to the Council of State members).
The NDF delegation emphasised on the need to get the Government of Ghana to put in place measures for the proper management of the Northern Development Fund that the latter has established.
7.0 Contributions from the Council of State Members
7.1 Hon. Kuoru Kuri-Baktie Limann IV
He commended the NDF for their laudable ideas and activities. He was of the hope that measures being carried out by the NDF will go a long way to improve the development process in the three Northern Regions.
He recalled that the Upper West Regional House of Chiefs was about the first to make a donation of ¢2 million cedis to be flood victims in the Builsa District, (This was done before the floods hit his own Region- UWR).
He stressed the enormous contribution that people from the North have made to the development of Ghana for which they have a legitimate claim to a fair distribution share of the nation’s resources.
7.2 Hon. Alhaji Bin-Salih
Adding his voice in commending the NDF, Hon. Alhaji Bin-Salih said “It is a real source of pleasure to learn about all that you are doing for our people. “ ….you will not fail because you recognise your elders!”
He recounted some factors that militate against getting people from the North united and to work with a common purpose and destiny. He advised the NDF not to let religion and partisan politics to interfere in their activities.
7.3 Hon. Naa Thomas Tia Sulemana
Hon Naa Sulemana promised the NDF the advice and assistance of the Council of State members, adding that “if you (NDF) fail it will also be a failure on our part”
7.4 Hon Mr. Francis Afoko
In his contribution Hon. Afoko prayed and hoped that the NDF will stay alive and united. “Often than not groups of this nature get destroyed due to internal and external factors. Please do all within your means to keep NDF alive and active.
7.5 Hon. C. K. Tedam
In his opening remarks, Hon Tedam gave a brief history of the political developments in the northern parts of Ghana and the formation of the Northern Peoples Party in 1954.
He informed the NDF that when the floods started the Council of State discussed the matter with Sector Ministers , they also carried out other activities behind the scenes for the development of the North.
He called on the NDF to intensify their efforts in finding lasting solutions to bridge the big developmental gab between the North and South of Ghana. He hoped that the NDF would truly become a platform or mouthpiece for addressing the integral development needs of the three Northern Regions. “We will give you the support that you need and in turn call on you to sacrifice for the success of this laudable venture.
7.0 Appreciation and Thanks
The Chairman of the NDF, Dr. Wemah thanked the Council of State members and was highly impressed that they are doing a lot behind the scenes. He congratulated them for all that they are doing for the three Northern Regions.
He asked the Council members to rest assured that NDF treasures their wise and fatherly counsel and will keep them informed and/or involved in the activities of the NDF.
Dr. Hafiz on his part was grateful for having had the opportunity of meeting the members of the Council of State and hoped that there will be frequent interactions between the NDF and Council.
9.0 Closing
The meeting came to a close at 11.55 following a prayer by
Hon. Bin-Salih.
Recorded by Ben Assorow
Courtesy Call on Northern Members of Parliament by the Northern Development Forum on November 8,2007 at Parliament House, Accra
1.0 List of MPs from the North at the Meeting
Name Constituency Tel & E-mail Address
1 Hon. Amadu Sorogbo (Alhaji) Abokobi, Madina 0244273131 [email protected]
2 Hon. Abuga Pele Chiana-Paga 0276621312
3 Alhaji Amadu Seidu 0244363390
4 Hon.Edward K. Salia Jiraapa 0244301401
5 Moses Dani Baah 0202012259
6 Hon. Alice Teni Boom 0244143901
7 Hon. Dominic A. Azumah 0244896015
8 Hon. Alhaji Alhassan Yabuku Yendi 0243717754
9 Hon. M. A. Yakubu 021665531
10 Hon. John A Tia 0244712196
11 Hon. Mohammed Ibn Abass Bimbila 0243419835
12 Hon. Alhaji Alidu Iddrisu Zakari 0243518124
13 Hon. Rashid Pelpuo Wa Central 0246382318 [email protected]
14 Hon. Masoud Baba- Pru 0208169652
15 Hon. Likpalimor K. Tawiah Kpandai 0244072319
16 Hon. Joseph Yieleh Chireh Wa West 0243464144 [email protected]
17 Hon. Albert Abongo Bongo 0244929829 [email protected]
18 Hon. Akunye Simon Pusiga 0244592623 [email protected]
19 Hon David Apasera Bolgatanga [email protected]
20 Hon Dr. Alhassan A Yakubu Mion 0244838977 [email protected]
21 Hon Inusah A. B. Fuseni Tamale Central 0243148299
22 Hon. Muntaka Mohammed Mubarak Asawase 0244387610 [email protected]
23 Hon. Mahama Ayariga Bawku Central 0244807666 [email protected]
24 Hon. Dr. Mustapha Ahmed Ayawaso East 0208110877 [email protected]
25 Ibrahim A. R. Tanko 0244995111
2.0 Members of the NDF
-Dr. Hakeem Wemah- Chairman of NDF
-Mr. Adam Sulley- Upper West Rep. and Chairman of Finance and Fundraising Committee.
-Dr. Adam Hafiz, Rep. of the Northern Region
-Mrs. Susana Mahama- Rep.of the Upper East Region.
– Mr. Bennet Mahama, Chairman of the Public Affairs Committee of the Forum
– Benedict Assorow- Ex-Officio Member
NB.This report is in the form of a Press Release
The Northern Caucus in Parliament has commended the Northern Development Forum (NDF) for organising Northerners and friends of the North in raising over 250 million cedis (GH¢25,000) for victims of the floods that hit the northern part of Ghana recently.
This commendation was made by the Chairman of the Caucus, Hon. Albert Salia when a delegation of the NDF led by its Chairman Dr. Hakeem Wemah called on the MPs at Parliament House yesterday to brief them on the activities and future plans of the Forum.
Hon. Salia informed the Forum that apart from their individual donation of relief items to the victims they, the MPs from the North, are contributing five million cedis each from their common Fund in support of the Forums’ Relief programme.
He expressed the appreciation of the MPs to the delegation to the Forum for the bold and courageous initiative taken insetting up a Northern Relief Fund.
The Second Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Hon. Yakubu Malik stressed that Northerners need to look beyond partisan and selfish interest and work together for the development of the three northern regions and the country as a whole.
Other MPs also lauded the efforts of the Forum and advised it not to rest on its oars and hoped that the Forum will live up to expectation. They also promised to collaborate with the Forum to finding lasting solutions to the development of the North.
Mr. Adam Sulley, a representative of the Upper West Region and Chairman of the Finance and Fund Raising Committee of the Forum told the MPs that the Forum has so far donated 700 bags of maize, soap and other relief items to the three Northern Regions.
Dr. Wemah, in thanking the MPs for having received him and his delegation made it clear that the Forum is non political, religious, and tribal. He express the appreciation of the Forum to the MPs for their donation of 100 million cedis and looked forward to more fruitful collaboration between the MPs and the Forum.
The following MPs also made contributions at the meeting:
1. Hon. John Tia
2. Hon. Dominic Azumah
3. Hon. Rashid Pelpuo
4. Hon. Alice Teni Boom
5. Hon. Abuga Pele
6. Hon. Dr. Mustapha
7. Hon. M. Ayariga
The delegation of the NDF had earlier on paid a courtesy call on the Vice President of Ghana, Alhaji Aliu Mahama. He was briefed on the activities of the Forum. He in turn, thanked the delegation, and wished them success in their endeavours. He assured the Forum of his official and personal support.
Recorded by Ben Assorow
