By Godfred A. Polkuu
Sandema (U/E), March 3, GNA – The Sandem-Nab Azaksuk Azantilow II, Paramount Chief of the Builsa Traditional Area in the Upper East Region, has expressed gratitude to President John Dramani Mahama for the appointment of Dr Clement Abas Apaak as Deputy Minister of Education.
Dr Apaak, a Member of Parliament (MP) for the Builsa South Constituency, was nominated by President Mahama as Deputy Minister-designate for Education.
The MP has since been vetted by Parliament’s Appointments Committee and awaits approval and subsequent swearing-in to office by the President.
“We are grateful to the President of the Republic for the appointment of one of our industrious sons, Dr Clement Abas Apaak as the Deputy Minister for Education,” Nab Azantilow said.
The Paramount Chief expressed the gratitude at his Palace in a speech read on his behalf when Mr Donatus Akamugri Atanga, the Regional Minister, called on him to seek his blessing and support to effectively deliver on his mandate.
Apart from the Builsa Traditional Area, the Minister after assuming office, had also visited the Bawku, Sakoti, Nangodi, Zuarungu, Bongo, Talensi, Kayoro, Katiu, and Nakong Paramount Chiefs, and yet to visit the Navrongo, Paga, Chiana, Naaga, Mirigu and Sirigu Traditional Areas.
Nab Azantilow also reminded President Mahama to fulfil his promise to appoint Mr James Agalga, MP for the Builsa North Constituency if constituents retained his seat in Parliament.
He drew the Regional Minister’s attention to some stalled projects in his traditional area, including the construction of the Chuchuliga-Sandema-Wiaga-Weisi stretch of road and the Nursing Training College project in Sandema, and appealed to him to ensure their completion.
He said a mortuary facility for the Sandema Hospital, constructed several years ago, was non-operational due to the lack of cold system, and added that the hospital, a major referral facility for the area, had no x-ray machine.
The Paramount Chief said Senior High Schools, especially the Azantilow, Wiaga and Chuchuliga SHS had transportation and accommodation challenges, and solicited the Minister’s intervention to address them.
He further appealed to the Minister for the establishment of an Agricultural College in the area to serve as laboratory to the rice valleys in the Builsa South District.
Mr Atanga, in response, assured the Chiefs and people of the Builsa Traditional Area that the government of President Mahama would ensure that the Builsa land received its fair share of development.
He addressed road traffic accidents on the Navrongo-Chuchuliga stretch of road, owing to a diversion to allow for repair works on a culvert between Tono junction and Bonia, and said he had contacted the Contractor to ensure that all necessary signages were placed on the road to direct traffic.
The diversion, which is from the Tono junction to the Community Health Nursing Training College, through the Irrigation Company of Upper Region (ICOUR) company to link the Chuchuliga road, had some few road promptings.
The situation sparked some agitations among the youth in the area, which prompted the Minister to call for calm saying, “They should calm down, we have heard what they are complaining about, and we are taking steps to ensure that the right thing is done.”
GNA