By Anthony Adongo Apubeo
Bolgatanga, April 14, GNA – The Bolgatanga Traditional Council has charged Mr Donatus Atanga Akamugri, the Upper East Regional Minister to prioritise giving Bolgatanga a face-lift befitting of a regional capital.
According to them, the current state of the Bolgatanga Municipality does not represent the state of a regional capital as it continued to battle with basic development challenges such as poor roads, potable water, sanitation, among others and had over the years not given the needed attention by successive governments.
The Traditional Council made the call through Naba Patrick Ayimbila Asaliya, Divisional Chief of Yarigabisi and Acting President of the Bolgatanga Traditional Council when Mr Donatus Atanga Akamugri, the Upper East Regional Minister paid a courtesy call on them in Bolgatanga.
Naba Asaliya explained that apart from the poor road network within the Township, the state of roads within the regional capital was deplorable and posing danger to residents.
“Bolgatanga is the gateway to the Upper East Region and yet we cannot boast of good roads, we are appealing to the Minister to ensure that Bolgatanga is given face-lift and our road network improved”, Naba Asaliya stated.
The Acting President explained that as a regional capital, it does not have a modern market compelling traders to overcrowd and denying the Municipal Assembly the needed revenue to undertake development projects to improve lives of the people.
“We are reminding the government through the Regional Minister not to forget about our passport office. We are appealing to the Minister to continue the project and complete it so that it can save our people from travelling to Tamale to have their passports.
“We are also reminding government of its promise to build a modern sports stadium. If this is done, it will unearth the immense talents in the region”, he said.
The Acting President who hailed President John Dramani Mahama for appointing Mr Akamugri as the Regional Minister noting that he was the right choice as he identified himself with them as a traditionalist and had demonstrated over the years that he had abilities to bring the needed development into the region.
He pledged the support of the Traditional Council to support to the Regional Minister and President Mahama’ government and appealed for a face-lift to build the Traditional Council to befit modern status.
On his part, the Regional Minister, thanked the Traditional Council for their support to him and government and pledged to collaborate with them to ensure that all desired development needs of the area were met.
“I am not here to Lord over anybody, I am here to serve you, and I am open to advice and collaboration, do not hesitate to draw my attention when I am going wrong”, he added.
He used the opportunity to appeal to them to remain calm as the government worked to facilitate speedy determination of the chieftaincy dispute in the area and urged them to embrace peace.
GNA
FAA/KOA