Changing the Northern Ghana Narrative: Members of Parliament Adopt Affirmative Action

Members of the Northern Caucus of Ghana’s 9^th Parliament in collaboration with the Northern Development Authority(NDA) and other key stakeholders development Partners including Members of Parliament(MPs) from the five Northern Regions, held the First Northern Region Development Conference, in the Northern Regional’s Capital of Tamale.

Hosted under the theme: “A Conference of Northern People, Leaders and Partners”, the event was intended to lobby President John Dramani Mahama and his ministers for fair resource allocation to accelerate development in northern Ghana.

Majority Leader and MP for Bawku Central, Hon Mahama Ayariga, said the conference also sought to transcend partisanship and unite stakeholders behind a shared agenda for northern development.

He underscored the dire need to use their experiences, networks, and influence to guide regional ministers, MMDCEs, chiefs, and the private sector to drive economic transformation.

He noted that the conference would help lobby for strategic projects and foster collaboration with development partners and international investors. It would also serve as a platform to monitor government services in key sectors such as education, healthcare, water, electricity, and infrastructure

Mr. Ayariga described the event as “a pivotal moment to reflect on the progress, challenges, and aspirations of northern Ghana — aspirations captured as far back as President Kwame Nkrumah’s 1963 Seven-Year Development Plan”.

“Elections are over. Our people expect us to use our influence across both major political parties to fight poverty and promote economic opportunities,” he intimated, while also calling for support from traditional rulers and unity among political leaders.

The Minority Leader, Mr. Alexander Afenyo-Markin, on his part, stressed that, northern development is a shared responsibility and urged traditional leaders to foster peace, promote education, and ensure that development reflects the true needs of the people.

“As Minority Leader, I join the Northern Caucus in pushing for bold interventions in infrastructure, healthcare, education, and peacebuilding,” he said, while also pledging parliamentary support for equitable budget allocations to complete major projects such as the Eastern Corridor road and expand rural electrification and access to clean water.

Education, the Minority Leader noted needs utmost attention, and called for improved facilities, teacher deployment, and more vocational and tertiary institutions to equip the youth with practical skills.

The Paramount Chief of Nanton Traditional Area, Naa bapira, Nanton Naa Mahamadu V, pledged the support of traditional rulers for the conference’s objectives. He highlighted the importance of peace in achieving meaningful development and assured the gathering of the chiefs’ commitment to that goal.

Aside the Members of Parliament from five Northern Regions of Ghana, the event was also heavily subscribed to by, traditional rulers, development partners, youth and women groups, students, and members of the public.

The High profile dignitaries in attendance aside the Majority and Minority Leaders, and other Members of Parliament, were notably, Mr. Julius Debrah, Chief of Staff at the Office of the President, their Royal Highnesses, Naa Bapira Naton Naa Mahamadu Bawa V, and Naa Bapira Pishigu Lana, Naa, Dr. Alhassan Andani among others.