By Philip Tengzu
Wa, (UW/R), Feb. 10, GNA – Mr Charles Lwanga Puozuing, the new Upper West Regional Minister, has promised the people of the region of running an open-door administration to allow all well-meaning people in the region and beyond to contribute to the region’s development.
He called for concerted efforts of the people to propel rapid development of the region saying, “We need to support and assist each other to ensure the Upper West Region becomes attractive to all of us.”
“So, we will run an open-door policy of leadership and that means that everyone has the opportunity to contribute to uplifting the Upper West Region,” Mr Lwanga indicated.
The new Regional Minister promised this at the Residency in Wa at the weekend when he addressed scores of people shortly after his triumphant entry into the region clothed in white apparel.
Mr Lwanga was sworn into office as the new Upper West Regional Minister on Friday, February 7, 2025, alongside other ministers.
A mass of people, including staff of the Upper West Regional Coordinating Council (RCC), Regional and Constituency Executives of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), party faithfuls and sympathisers welcomed the new Regional Minister into the region at the weekend.
He indicated that the region had a 10-year development plan to guide its interventions but added that he would facilitate reassessment of the scheme to ensure it met the current priorities of the region.
Talking about resources for the region’s development, Mr Lwanga said: “Resources will come when you have good proposals and good plans.”
He explained that he would prioritise the health system, education infrastructure, water resources, agriculture and women and girls’ empowerment in his leadership.
“I believe that if we focus on these things by the time the four years will come, Upper West would have moved from its current state (of development) to a different state”, Mr Lwanga stated.
The new Regional Minister assured the people that with the Affirmative Action and Gender Equality law in force, he would ensure female representation in all spheres of his administration.
He acknowledged that it would be difficult to have female representation in some aspects of decision-making due to cultural practices.
Mr Lwanga, however, emphasised the need for consistent engagement and education of the public to change that narrative and pave way for active female participation in all aspects of governance.
GNA