By Godfred Aaneamenga Polkuu, GNA
Navrongo (U/E), Oct. 23, GNA – Mr Bless Kwame Darkey, the Chief Director of the Upper East Regional Coordinating Council (UERCC), has called for stronger collaboration between local government authorities, traditional leaders and other stakeholders to accelerate development and improve living conditions in the region.
He said collective efforts were crucial to building a peaceful and secure region capable of attracting investors and creating productive opportunities for the youth.
“Let’s continue to rewrite the story of the Upper East Region. Let’s continue to help change the narrative so that this place will be well secured and more encouraging for potential investors to come and invest in our region,” he said.
Mr Darkey made the call at a regional budget hearing in Navrongo, where he urged paramount chiefs, queen mothers and other stakeholders to actively participate in the preparation, implementation and monitoring of district assemblies’ budgets.
He emphasized that traditional authorities and assemblies needed to work together to identify community needs and ensure that development plans translated into tangible improvements in people’s lives.
“The assemblies cannot do that alone, neither can our traditional authorities. The two of us would have to come together to do it,” the Chief Director said.
Mr Darkey encouraged traditional leaders to demand accountability from the assemblies by engaging them at the local level and participating in town hall meetings to monitor the implementation of approved budgets.
He said such engagement would help ensure that projects and programmes captured in the budgets were executed as planned.
The Chief Director further commended assembly staff for their efforts and urged them to sustain teamwork and commitment to regional development.
He said public servants should strive to leave a legacy through initiatives that improved access to education, healthcare and agricultural support.
He cited the importance of ensuring that children accessed education, pregnant women received healthcare services and small-scale farmers obtained the support needed to improve their productivity.
Mr Darkey expressed optimism that sustained development would enable the youth to channel their energies into productive ventures rather than anti-social activities.
“If we are able to do that, all of us together can pride ourselves that we have been part of the narrative in resetting this whole agenda of development,” he said.
The Chief Director further urged the five assemblies whose budget presentations were considered to incorporate the issues and recommendations raised during the hearing and submit their revised presentations by October 28, 2026.
He said the timely submission would enable the Regional Budget Office to collate the documents and forward them to the Ministry of Finance without delay.
He expressed appreciation to all participants for their contributions to the budget preparation process and urged them to sustain their commitment to building a better Upper East Region.
GNA
Edited by Caesar Abagali /Kenneth Odeng Adade
Reporter: Godfred Aaneamenga Polkuu
Reporter’s email: [email protected]