By Anthony Adongo Apubeo
Sirigu (U/E), March 9, GNA – Traditional leaders and their subjects in the Upper East Region have pledged an unwavering support to Mr Donatus Atanga Akamugri, the Regional Minister to work to turn the fortunes of the people and reset the region on the path of growth and progress.
The chiefs and the people, led by their paramount chiefs made the declaration when the Regional Minister paid courtesy calls on them at their palaces as part of familiarisation tour to the various traditional areas since he assumed office.
At the Sirigu community in the Kassena-Nankana West District, Naba Roland Atogumdeya Akwara III, Paramount Chief of the area, commended President John Dramani Mahama for appointing Mr Akamugri as minister for the region, citing his “hard work over the years as basis that merit the position.”
While expressing his support for the Regional Minister to succeed and help improve lives in the region, he called for urgent rehabilitation of the deteriorating Kandiga-Sirigu road and completion of ongoing culvert projects within the area.
“We are committed to working with you to bring development,” Naba Akwara II said while addressing the Regional Minister at his palace.
At the Mirigu community, Naba Anthony Abisa Anonsona Atasige III, the Paramount Chief of the community declared his community’s backing to the Minister, adding that working together would bring the needed development to the region.
“Mirigu will stand solidly behind you. The gods will stand by you,” he said,
The Paramount Chief outlined challenges such as poor roads and limited electrification and reiterated the region’s longstanding demand for an airport and urged the Regional Minister to work hard to address the challenges.
At Paga, Pe Charles Awampaga II, Paramount Chief for the area, expressed readiness to work with the Regional Minister and reiterated the community’s call for speedy completion of the Agenda 111 hospital in area.
While reechoing the need for a regional airport, the Paramount Chief called for the upgrading of the Paga Senior High School to boarding status to help increase enrolment and retention of students in the school.
On his part, the Regional Minister reiterated that the government had prioritised agriculture to drive food security, create jobs and enhance economic independence, adding that agricultural modernisation, irrigation projects and mechanisation centers would be priortised to support farmers.
He said his outfit would ensure that the District Road Improvement Project (DRIP) initiative was used to reshape the roads in the region to make them motorable.
He pledged to work hard and collaborate with the traditional leaders to address the pressing needs of their respective traditional areas.
GNA
CA