Meeting of Northerners on the Flood in the Three Northern Regions,
Sunday, September 30, 2007, at GBC Club House, Accra.
With all protocol observed, kindly permit me to address all of you as fellow Ghanaians and Northerners. You are most welcome to this gathering. We also warmly welcome friends and sympathisers who, though are not indigenes of the northern Ghana, are here to express their solidarity in our current situation.
We wish to make it known that this meeting has not been convened by any Association. It is a meeting for all Northerners and friends of the three Northern Regions of Ghana.
Why are we here? A Yuroba proverb has it that: A matter that concerns other people should not be kept to oneself. The three northern regions and some other parts outside these regions may be the immediate victims of the brunt of the floods, but the ramifications are definitely nationwide. Need I say more than this?
Following the heavy floods that have hit the three regions of the northern part of Ghana, and the havoc caused in their wake a group of like- minded people( name a few) reflected on the situation and saw the need for us to meet in order to come up with measures help the flood victims in the short-term and consider drawing a more comprehensive long-term plan and strategies for finding sustainable solutions to the distressed situation of our three regions.
Statistics from official sources indicate that 56 people have died, about 300,000 internally displaced people (IDP), 35,000 houses collapsed, and almost 60,000 farms have been destroyed. More than 500km of roads and a number of bridges have been affected. A large amount of agricultural produce and livestock has also been 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.
Famine will be very serious particularly in the dry season if no measures are taken immediately to mitigate it.
We were already in very poor state without the floods. The magnitude of the disaster coupled with the prevailing poverty levels are staring us in the face that we cannot play the ostrich. We have to stand up to the challenge. With commitment, dedication and a sense of purpose or direction we will be able to make meaningful contributions to the development of the North- Our motherland.
For the immediate we have to contribute financially and materially to support the relief programme in the affected areas, in collaboration with Non-Governmental Organisations, and Religious bodies in an effort to complement the work of the government of Ghana.
Another Yuroba proverb says that: Do not attempt to start what you cannot bring to a good end. Guided by this, please do not let us come up with plans that we will not be able to get implemented. In short, we should not make empty promises. This is not a touch and go matter.
It will therefore, be appreciated if we are objective and open with one another in our quest to finding concrete solutions to the plight of our brothers and sisters up north.
The following suggestions are presented as basis for discussion:
A) that we identify a number of areas that need urgent attention and set up committees on them.
B) That we make an appeal to the Government to establish Committees or Task Forces, on the Regional, District and local council levels, comprising NADMO, Religious Bodies, Political Parties, NGO’s and Representatives of the Traditional Rulers for a more coordinated and transparent distribution of Relief items.
C) That a comprehensive reconstruction programme such as was the Marshall plan to reconstruct Europe after the war be put in place for a comprehensive development of the three regions in the areas of Housing, Industry, Agriculture, Construction of dams for dry season farming, Education, Health, Roads and Transport.
A request has been submitted to the Government by a group of concerned citizens in Bolgatanga for the development of the North of this country. This request could be looked at again to help us in coming out with practical suggestions for the attention of the Government of Ghana, all citizens of the regions, our compatriots in the other regions and our Foreign Development Partners.
When the logic of sharing and solidarity prevails it is possible to alter and redirect our course towards equal development and the common good of everyone. In the final analysis it is a decision and a choice between selfishness and charity with love, between justice and dishonesty and between good and evil.
Meanwhile, we have to register our appreciation to the Government of Ghana, Development Partners, Diplomatic Missions, NGO’s, Religious Bodies, the Private Business Sector and individuals who in one way or the other have come to the aid of the victims of the floods.
We wish to express our solidarity and also sympathise with people of other parts ofGhanaand elsewhere inAfricawho have been affected by floods.
Thank you very much for your attendance and May God and Allah give us all that it takes in finding sustainable solutions to our plight.
Presented by Ben Assorow, Convener of the Meeting.
