Press Release
The Northern Development Forum (NDF) wishes to express its gratitude and appreciation to all those who, following its appeal recently, have given financial and material support to the victims of the floods in the three northern regions of Ghana.
At the maiden meeting of the Forum last Sunday (September 30, 2007) one hundred and fifty three million (C153 m) cedis was realised. Consequently, the Forum has established a fund known as the Northern Relief Fund to manage financial contributions. The following accounts have been opened at the Agricultural Development Bank (ADB)
ADB House, Accra:
Cedi Account Number: 1161000002986
US Dollar Account: 1162000000348
Auditors have also been appointed.
The Fund will be managed by one person from each of the three northern regions. They include Mr. Adam Sulley for the Upper West Region; Mrs. Susana Mahama for the Upper East Region and Dr. Hafez Adam Taher, Northern Region. It is under the Chairmanship of Dr. Hakim Wemah.
Ten members from each of the three regions have also been selected to serve on the following committees:
a) Fund Raising and Finance
b) Reconstruction
c) Public Affairs
d) Data Bank and Research
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 saw the need to meet in order to come up with measures to help the flood victims in the short-term and to consider drawing up a more comprehensive long-term plan and strategies for finding sustainable solutions to the distressed situation of the three regions.
Statistics from official sources indicate that 56 people have died; about 300,000 were internally displaced (IDP), 35,000 houses collapsed and almost 60,000 farms were destroyed. More than 500km of roads and a number of bridges were 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. Famine will be very severe particularly in the dry season if mitigating measures are not taken immediately.
The Forum’s main concern is to contribute financially and materially to support the relief programme in the affected areas, in collaboration with non-governmental organisations, religious bodies, development partners in an effort to complement the work of the Government of Ghana.
For a more efficient and effective management of the Relief items the Forum is appealing to the Government of Ghana 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 traditional rulers for a more coordinated and transparent distribution of relief items.
The Forum will present a memo to the Government of Ghana on a suggested comprehensive reconstruction programme to be put in place for better development of the three regions, particularly in the areas of housing, industry, agriculture, construction of dams for dry season farming, education, health, roads and transport.
The Forum wishes to register its appreciation to the Government of Ghana, development partners, diplomatic missions, NGO’s, religious bodies, the private business sector and individuals who have been providing relief to the victims of the floods.
We do express our solidarity with and sympathies to the people of other parts of Ghana and elsewhere in Africa who have been affected by floods.
Issued on behalf of the Forum by: Ben Assorow, Convener of the Maiden Meeting of the Forum
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