Posts in category: Press Releases

Agenda for the Second General Meeting of the Northern Development Forum at the GBC Club House in Accra on Sunday November 4, 2007.
———————————————————————————————————-
1. Opening prayer.
2. Welcome address by the Chairman of NDF ( Dr. Hakeem Wemah)
3. Self-Introduction & Registration
4 Update on donations received for the Flood Victims: by Mr. Adam Sulley, Finance and Fundraising Committee Chairman. ( e.g. donations from Alhaji Yusif Ibrahim, Chairman of GT Bank, Togbe Afede and Mr. P.V. Obeng)
5. Report on the distribution of relief items by NDF in the three Northern Regions. (Dr. Wemah and Mr. Adam)
6. Reports from the following Committees:
a) Finance and Fund-Raising ( e.g. on Fund raising activities in December- Metro Tv etc.) Finding an Events Manager. E.g. Mr. Rogking Clottey
b) Reconstruction ( e.g. Long term Development Plan)
c) Public Affairs & Drafting of Documents ( Report on meetings etc.)
d) Databank and Research ( registration and statistics on general issues)
e) Programme of Concerned Artistes for Disaster Relief (CADRE) and Round table on Northern Ghana by Dr. Sulley Gariba.
7) Selection of NDF Representatives and other people in the Regions to coordinate the activities of NDF and relief items.
8. Drafting of first memo to the Government of Ghana on the Floods and general Development of Northern Ghana. ( select One or two people)
9. Drawing up of a list of Institutions, Organisations, Companies and individuals to be contacted for financial and material support. ( All Members)
10. Courtesy Calls on Northern Caucus in Parliament, Organisations, etc.
11.Other matters.
12. Date for next Meeting and closing prayer.
The Forum(NDF) is not political, tribal, or religious; it is a Forum for the promotion of unity, peace and development in the three Northern Regions of Ghana.
 

Draft for discussion only
 
DATA BANK AND RESEARCH COMMITTEE
 
Membership
1. Mr. Nachinaba Bugre (024 9627040)
2. Dr. Martison
3. Mr. Chris Aliene
4. Mr. Abdulai Zacharia
5. Dr S. Bamile
6. Mr. Lucas Chigabatia (024 4329824)
 
Mandate
The Data Bank and Research Committee (DBRC) was one of the committees established following the forum of Ghanaians of Northern extraction at the GBC Club House in Accra on the 30th of September, 2007.
 
The committee was charged with the responsibility of researching, documenting and establishing a Data Bank of information on the three northern regions namely Northern, Upper East and Upper West regions.
 
The immediate concern of the forum was the effects of the floods on the three northern regions of Ghana. Therefore, information about the impact of the floods on housing, agriculture, health, education and general infrastructure including the effect on the road network was to be compiled to assist the forum in ongoing deliberations, presentations and proposals to government and other agencies that the Forum may choose to make contact with. It must be noted that this information is currently being reported by various government agencies, district authorities and other non-governmental agencies including the United Nations. Most of this information can be relied on in addition to any other information that the committee can obtain from other sources, and used for the purposes of the Forum.
 
The forum however recognized that one key priority must be the information about the membership of the Forum itself. To this end, the committee is tasked with ensuring the capture and storage of data on members as a top priority.
 
Ultimately, the Data Bank should contain information about all aspects of the Social, Political and Economic life of the three northern regions. The objective will be to make available facts and figures about the northern part of Ghana, highlight the tourist and other economic potentials of the regions, and help to focus attention on the area for the purpose of soliciting development initiatives from interest groups including Government, Non-governmental Organizations and individuals.
 
Initial Steps
In pursuit of the mandate, the Data Bank and Research Committee (DBRC) recognizes the enormity of the task before it and understands that for this exercise to be successful, a step by step approach must be adopted with the ultimate goal of establishing a comprehensive data bank on northern Ghana.
 
The committee believes that the first step should be the establishment of the membership data which will facilitate effective dissemination of information for effective mobilization of members and other resources for the sustained pursuit of the Forum’s objectives.
 
Consequently, the committee proposes that the form that was distributed on the day of the meeting be updated to include more information about members as we look to creating a resource base that can be used for other purposes including searching available skills to match job opportunities. A draft is attached for discussion and adoption.
 
The committee also intends to employ the use of Information Technologies in the creation and delivery of the information resource. It is therefore envisaged that a database driven website will be developed to enable members register online and the information stored in a back-end database.
 
Features of the website will include
 
a. News,
b. Alerts,
c. Registration Form (with the option to ask for an email address),
d. Discussion Forums and
e. Message Boards.
f. Mailing List with the facility to allow registered members add themselves to the site mailing list.
 
 
This arrangement will make it possible for brothers and sisters anywhere in the world to register and be part of this forum. Needless to say, the privacy of everybody will be respected and so detailed information will not be displayed at the website.
 
In order that this step can be taken, a decision has to be made on the domain name to be registered for the website. Here again the committee has the following proposed names for discussion.
 
a. TheForum.org
b. TheNorthernForum.org
c. TheNorthernGhanaForum.org
d. NGDF.org
 
Next Steps
The next steps to be taken if the committee’s proposals were approved by the coordinating body will be as follows
 
1. Domain Name registration
2. Design and deployment of website (registration form available on line)
3. Arrange publicity to encourage members to register either online or complete forms for input into database
4. Feedback to entire membership
5. Adopt action plan for extension of the Data Bank.
 
 
 
The Northern Ghana Development Forum
ABOUT YOU
First Name:
Surname:
Gender: MALE • FEMALE •
Date of Birth:
HOW CAN WE CONTACT YOU?
Country of Residence:
Residential Address:
 
Postal Address:
 
Telephone (Home):
Telephone (Work):
Telephone (Mobile):
Email Address:
WHERE ARE YOU FROM
Region:
District:
Town:
EDUCATION
School Attended:
Tertiary Attended:
Highest Qualification:
OCCUPATION/PROFESSION
Employed • Self-Employed: •
Student: • Attachment/National Service: •
Unemployed: • Retired: •
 
 
Name of Employer: (If you are employed please fill in below)
 
 
Type of business:
Position: (e.g. Accountant, HR, Messenger)
 
WHAT LANGUAGES DO YOU SPEAK?
1
2
3
4
5
List Any Special Skills(e.g football, music, etc)
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
November 21, 2007
 
Mrs. Mary Chinery-Hesse
Chief Advisor to the President of the Republic of Ghana
Osu
 
Dear Madam,
 
LETTER OF APPRECIATION
 
We are pleased to inform you that The Northern Development Forum (NDF) has keenly observed your overwhelming passion and vision for development in northern Ghana. As a true patriot of Ghana you have wholeheartedly contributed to Government’s bold initiative of a Northern Development Fund.
 
The idea of a Northern Development Fund has become a valuable source of inspiration to us, and we are committed to ensuring that your effort and that of Government marks a significant milestone in the development of northern Ghana. Our primary objective is to make meaningful contribution to this development agenda.
 
In line with the above objective, we wish to identify the NDF as a strategic partner to facilitate the Government of Ghana and development partner’s efforts of coming up with a comprehensive programme, for the reconstruction and development of the three northern regions.
 
The NDF which is referred to as the Forum is not political, tribal, or religious; it is a forum of all Northerners and friends from the three Northern Regions of Ghana. We remain committed to partnering with all stakeholders to ensure a better future for northern Ghana.
 
We are putting in place the necessary arrangements to officially launch the Northern Development Forum to ensure it is strategically positioned with adequate capacity to achieve its objectives. We will keep you informed about progress with respect to the preparation.
 
Thank you for the continued support.
 
Yours faithfully,
 
 
 
(Dr. Hakeem Wemah)
Chairman, Northern Development Forum
 
 
 
November 21, 2007
 
Mrs. Mary Chinery-Hesse
Chief Advisor to the President of the Republic of Ghana
Osu
 
Dear Madam,
 
LETTER OF APPRECIATION
 
We are pleased to inform you that The Northern Development Forum (NDF) has keenly observed your overwhelming passion and vision for development in northern Ghana. As a true patriot of northern Ghana you have wholeheartedly contributed to Government’s bold initiative of a Northern Development Fund.
 
The idea of a Northern Development Fund has become a valuable source of inspiration to us, and we are committed to ensuring that your effort and that of Government marks a significant milestone in the development of northern Ghana. Our primary objective is to make meaningful contribution to this development agenda.
 
In line with the above objective, we wish to identify the NDF as a strategic partner to facilitate the Government of Ghana and development partner’s efforts of coming up with a comprehensive programme, for the reconstruction and development of the three northern regions.
 
The NDF which is referred to as the forum is not political, tribal, or religious; it is a forum of all Northerners and friends from the three Northern Regions of Ghana. We remain committed to partnering with all stakeholders to ensure a better future for northern Ghana.
 
Thank you for the continued support.
 
Yours faithfully,
 
(Dr. Hakeem Wemah)
Chairman, Northern Development Forum
 
 
 

Agenda for a Meeting of the Northern Development Forum at the Residence of Dr. Hakeem Wemah in Accra on Sunday Dec. 23, 2007
———————————————————————————————————-
1) Welcome by Dr. Wemah to his Residence.
 
2) Overview of the meeting between NDF and the Council of State members from the three Northern Regions.
 
3) Approval of draft memo for the Government of Ghana and date for its submission.
 
4) Suggesting dates for Programme of Fund Raising activities for the Northern Development Forum. – (Mr. Sulley Adams, Chairman of Finance and Fund Raising Committee).
 
5) Arrangements for getting relief items in Accra to the three Northern Regions. (Mr. Adam and Alhaji Chodi of GBC).
 
6) Up-date on the Secretariat.
 
7) Date for the first General meeting of the Forum in January 2008.
 
8) Getting the following ready before January 10, 2007
 
a) Minutes of the meeting with the Northern Caucus in Parliament(NCP)
 
b) Minutes of the meeting of NDF and the Council of State members from the North (COSN)
c) Letters of Appreciation to the COSN and NCP.
 

Ref. NDF/CS/08/01 January 18,2008
 
The Council of State Members from the three Northern Regions
State House
Accra
 
Your Excellencies,
 
Belated Happy New Year!
 
I wish on behalf of the Northern Development Forum and in my own name to express our sincere appreciation and thanks for your having taken time off your busy schedule to have received us in your office on Thursday, December 20, 2007.
 
We cannot be thankful enough for the fatherly counsel that you gave us and indeed, for assuring us your support in our endeavours.
 
It is our hope that the Almighty will grant all of us what it takes in contributing to the common good of the three Northern Regions in particular and Ghana as a whole.
 
Please find attached minutes of the meeting that we had with you. For obvious reasons some issues that are sensitive or confidential have not been registered in the minutes.
 
Also attached are some documents pertaining to the activities of the NDF for your perusal.
 
Relying on your advice and support.
 
With prayerful best wishes,I remain,
 
Yours sincerely,
 
Dr. Hakeem Wemah
Chairman, NDF
 

Courtesy Call on Northern Members of the Council of State of Ghana by Officials and Members of the Northern Development Forum at the State House, Accra
on Thursday, December 20, 2007.
 
A. COUNCIL OF STATE MEMBERS
 
1. HON. MR CLEMENT K. TEDAM, CHAIRMAN OF THE
NORTHERN MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL OF STATE
2. HON. ALHAJI ALHASSAN BIN-SALIH
3. HON. NAA THOMAS TIA SULEMANA
4. HON. KUORU KURI-BUKTIE LIMANN IV – UPPER WEST
5. HON. MR FRANCIS ASIANAB AFOKO – UPPER EAST
 
Absent with Apology
 
6. HON. NAA PROF. JOHN S. NABILA NORTHERN REGION
 
 
B. NORTHERN DEVELOPMENT FORUM MEMBERS
 
1. Dr. Hakeem Wemah – Chairman of the NDF
2. Mr. Adam Sulley – Representative of the UWR and Chairman of the Fin. And Fundraising Committee.
3. Dr. Hafiz Adam – Representative of the Northern Region
4. Dr. Sulley Gariba – Ex-Officio Member
5. Ben Assorow – Ex-Officio Member
 
Absent with Apology
 
1. Mrs. Susanna Mahama – Representative of the Upper East
Region
 
Introduction
 
Following a request by the Chairman of NDF to the Northern members on the Council of State a meeting was held between the two bodies on Thursday December 20, 2007 at the Conference Hall of the Council of State, Accra.
 
1.0 The meeting stated at 10.45 a.m. with a prayer by Ben Assorow. Hon. C. K. Tedam who chaired welcomed the NDF delegation to the meeting
 
2.0 Dr. Wemah on behalf of the NDF expressed appreciation to the Council of State members for having agreed to receive him and his delegation. This was immediately followed by self-introduction of members of both parties
 
3.0 Briefing on the NDF
 
Dr. Wemah then briefed the Council of State members on the activities of the NDF, these include:
 
i) The ‘First’ meeting of NDF that took place on Sunday, September 30, 2007 in Accra in the wake of the floods that hit the north and other parts of Ghana last year,
 
ii) Distribution of Relief items to the three Northern Regions by the NDF.
 
iii) Courtesy calls on the Vice-President of Ghana , His Excellency Aliu Mahama, and the Caucus of Northern Members of Parliament at Parliament House, Accra
 
iv) Press Conference on NDF and the preparation of a memo to be submitted to the Government of Ghana.
 
v) Future plans of NDF e.g. visits to Regional Houses of Chiefs in the three Northern Regions.
 
Details of item i – v may be found in one or the other attached documents on the NDF.
 
5.0 Mr. Adam Sulley gave a brief report on the financial and fund-raising activities planned to be carried out in Accra and other parts of the country.
 
6.0 Dr. Sulley Gariba informed the meeting about the Round-Table on the Special Initiative for Sustainable Development in Northern Ghana and the Communiqué that was issued following that meeting. (copies of the communiqué were given to the Council of State members).
 
The NDF delegation emphasised on the need to get the Government of Ghana to put in place measures for the proper management of the Northern Development Fund that the latter has established.
 
7.0 Contributions from the Council of State Members
 
7.1 Hon. Kuoru Kuri-Baktie Limann IV
 
He commended the NDF for their laudable ideas and activities. He was of the hope that measures being carried out by the NDF will go a long way to improve the development process in the three Northern Regions.
 
He recalled that the Upper West Regional House of Chiefs was about the first to make a donation of ¢2 million cedis to be flood victims in the Builsa District, (This was done before the floods hit his own Region- UWR).
 
He stressed the enormous contribution that people from the North have made to the development of Ghana for which they have a legitimate claim to a fair distribution share of the nation’s resources.
 
7.2 Hon. Alhaji Bin-Salih
 
Adding his voice in commending the NDF, Hon. Alhaji Bin-Salih said “It is a real source of pleasure to learn about all that you are doing for our people. ….you will not fail because you recognise your elders!”
 
He recounted some factors that militate against getting people from the North united and to work with a common purpose and destiny. He advised the NDF not to let religion and partisan politics to interfere in their activities.
 
7.3 Hon. Naa Thomas Tia Sulemana
Hon Naa Sulemana promised the NDF the advice and assistance of the Council of State members, adding that “if you (NDF) fail it will also be a failure on our part”
 
7.4 Hon Mr. Francis Afoko
In his contribution Hon. Afoko prayed and hoped that the NDF will stay alive and united. “Often than not groups of this nature get destroyed due to internal end external factors. Please do all within your means to keep NDF alive and active.
 
7.5 Hon. C. K. Tedam
In his opening remarks, Hon Tedam gave a brief history of the political developments in the northern parts of Ghana and the formation of the Northern Peoples Party in 1954.
 
He informed the NDF that when the floods started the Council of State discussed the matter with Sector Ministers , they also carried out other activities behind the scenes for the development of the North.
 
He called on the NDF to intensify their efforts in finding lasting solutions to bridge the big developmental gab between the North and South of Ghana. He hoped that the NDF would truly become a platform or mouthpiece for addressing the integral development needs of the three Northern Regions. “We will give you the support that you need and in turn call on you to sacrifice for the success of this laudable venture.
 
7.0 Appreciation and Thanks
 
The Chairman of the NDF, Dr. Wemah thanked the Council of State members and was highly impressed that they are doing a lot behind the scenes. He congratulated them for all that they are doing for the three Northern Regions.
 
He asked the Council members to rest assured that NDF treasures their wise and fatherly counsel and will keep them informed and/or involved in the activities of the NDF.
 
Dr. Hafiz on his part was grateful for having had the opportunity of meeting the members of the Council of State and hoped that there will be frequent interactions between the NDF and Council.
 
9.0 Closing
The meeting came to a close at 11.55 following a prayer by
Hon. Bin-Salih.
 
Recorded by Ben Assorow
 

Ref. NDF/CS/08/01 January 18,2008
 
The Council of State Members from the three Northern Regions
State House
Accra
 
Your Excellencies,
 
Belated Happy New Year!
 
I wish on behalf of the Northern Development Forum and in my own name to express our sincere appreciation and thanks for your having taken time off your busy schedule to have received us in your office on Thursday, December 20, 2007.
 
We cannot be thankful enough for the fatherly counsel that you gave us and indeed, for assuring us of your support. It is our hope that the Almighty will grant all of us what it takes in contributing to the common good of the three Northern Regions in particular and Ghana as a whole.
 
Please find attached minutes of the meeting that we had with you. Also attached are some documents pertaining to the activities of the NDF for your perusal.
 
Relying on your advice and support.
 
With prayerful best wishes, I remain,
 
Yours sincerely,
 
Dr. Hakeem Wemah
Chairman, NDF
 

Agenda for the NDF Meeting on Thursday, January 27, 2008
At Dr. Wemah’s Residence, East Legon, Accra.
1. Prayer and Welcome
2. Summary of the issues discussed at the meeting of 23/1/2008 (given below).
3. Memos
a) On the situation in Bawku- Mr. E. Bombande, WANEP
b)To the President of Ghana- Dr. S. Gariba.)
4. Approval of Minutes of meetings with Council of State members and MPS from the North.
5. Follow-up on Visits to the Regional Houses of Chiefs in the Three Northern Regions. ( Dr. Wemah, ) Draft of letter to RHC( Ben).
6. Submission of list of personalities to the Reception for a cross-section of people from the North in Accra-Tema. ( all)
7. Date for the first Meeting of the Committees of NDF in the year-2008.
8. Any other Matters
9. Date for next meeting and closing prayer.
———————————————————————————————————
Action:
i. Write to the Regional Houses of Chiefs on Courtesy Calls.
ii. Hold Press Conference on Bawku situation
iii. Compile list of People for Reception
iv. Offer of Support from The Head of Civil Service, Mr. Joe Issachar.
v. Invite NADMO Official to meeting of 27-01-08 ( Relief items to be sent North).
vi. NDF Committees meeting on 24/2/08 and General meeting on 3/3/08
vii. Get memos ready before the end of the month.
viii. Invite Mr. Adams Alhassan to next meeting ( recording of Minutes).

NDF/NRM/08/01 January 28, 2008
 
The Regional Minister
Northern Regional House of Chiefs
Tamale
 
Dear Minister,
 
REQUEST FOR A COURTESY CALL
Happy New Year, belated though!
 
First a word of introduction: Following the heavy floods that hit the three regions of the northern part of Ghana last year and the havoc caused in their wake a group of like- minded people reflected on the situation and saw the need to come up with measures to help the flood victims in the short-term and to draw up a more comprehensive long-term and sustainable development plan for the three northern regions.
 
In pursuance of this objective a Forum know as the Northern Development Forum (NDF) has been formed. The executive officers of the Forum are Mr. Adam Sulley for the Upper West Region; Mrs. Susana Mahama for the Upper East Region and Dr. Hafez Adam Taher, Northern Region. It is under the Chairmanship of Dr. Hakeem Wemah.
 
There are ten members each from the Upper West and Upper East Regions and fifteen from the Northern Region serving on the following committees: Fund Raising and Finance; Reconstruction; Public Affairs and Data Bank and Research.
 
With this brief introduction we will appreciate it, very much if you would kindly make it possible for four Executive members of the Forum to pay a courtesy call on you on January 15,2008 before meeting members of the Northern Regional House of Chiefs.
We will appreciate it, very much, if you could kindly provide us board and lodging from January 14-16, 2008.
 
We have already had such courtesy calls on the Vice- President of Ghana, His Excellency Alui Mahama; the Council of State members from our three northern regions and the Caucus of Northern Members of Parliament.
 
With prayerful best wishes, I remain,
Yours sincerely,
 
Dr. Hakeem Wemah, Chairman, NDF
 

Courtesy Call on Northern Members of the Council of State of Ghana by Officials and Members of the Northern Development Forum at the State House, Accra
on Thursday, December 20, 2007.
 
A. COUNCIL OF STATE MEMBERS
 
1. HON. MR CLEMENT K. TEDAM, CHAIRMAN OF THE
NORTHERN MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL OF STATE
2. HON. ALHAJI ALHASSAN BIN-SALIH
3. HON. NAA THOMAS TIA SULEMANA
4. HON. KUORU KURI-BUKTIE LIMANN IV – UPPER WEST
5. HON. MR FRANCIS ASIANAB AFOKO – UPPER EAST
 
Absent with Apology
 
6. HON. NAA PROF. JOHN S. NABILA NORTHERN REGION
 
 
B. NORTHERN DEVELOPMENT FORUM MEMBERS
 
1. Dr. Hakeem Wemah – Chairman of the NDF
2. Mr. Adam Sulley – Representative of the UWR and Chairman of the Fin. And Fundraising Committee.
3. Dr. Hafiz Adam – Representative of the Northern Region
4. Dr. Sulley Gariba – Ex-Officio Member
5. Ben Assorow – Ex-Officio Member
 
Absent with Apology
 
1. Mrs. Susanna Mahama – Representative of the Upper East
Region
 
Introduction
 
Following a request by the Chairman of NDF to the Northern members on the Council of State a meeting was held between the two bodies on Thursday December 20, 2007 at the Conference Hall of the Council of State, Accra.
 
1.0 The meeting started at 10.45 a.m. with a prayer by Ben Assorow. Hon. C. K. Tedam who chaired welcomed the NDF delegation to the meeting
 
2.0 Dr. Wemah on behalf of the NDF expressed appreciation to the Council of State members for having agreed to receive him and his delegation. This was immediately followed by self-introduction of members of both parties
 
3.0 Briefing on the NDF
 
Dr. Wemah then briefed the Council of State members on the activities of the NDF, these include:
 
i) The ‘First’ meeting of NDF that took place on Sunday, September 30, 2007 in Accra in the wake of the floods that hit the north and other parts of Ghana last year,
 
ii) Distribution of Relief items to the three Northern Regions by the NDF.
 
iii) Courtesy calls on the Vice-President of Ghana , His Excellency Aliu Mahama, and the Caucus of Northern Members of Parliament at Parliament House, Accra
 
iv) Press Conference on NDF and the preparation of a memo to be submitted to the Government of Ghana.
 
v) Future plans of NDF e.g. visits to Regional Houses of Chiefs in the three Northern Regions.
 
Details of item i – v may be found in one or the other attached documents on the NDF.
 
5.0 Mr. Adam Sulley gave a brief report on the financial and fund-raising activities planned to be carried out in Accra and other parts of the country.
 
6.0 Dr. Sulley Gariba informed the meeting about the Round-Table on the Special Initiative for Sustainable Development in Northern Ghana and the Communiqué that was issued following that meeting. (copies of the communiqué were given to the Council of State members).
 
The NDF delegation emphasised on the need to get the Government of Ghana to put in place measures for the proper management of the Northern Development Fund that the latter has established.
 
7.0 Contributions from the Council of State Members
 
7.1 Hon. Kuoru Kuri-Baktie Limann IV
 
He commended the NDF for their laudable ideas and activities. He was of the hope that measures being carried out by the NDF will go a long way to improve the development process in the three Northern Regions.
 
He recalled that the Upper West Regional House of Chiefs was about the first to make a donation of ¢2 million cedis to be flood victims in the Builsa District, (This was done before the floods hit his own Region- UWR).
 
He stressed the enormous contribution that people from the North have made to the development of Ghana for which they have a legitimate claim to a fair distribution share of the nation’s resources.
 
7.2 Hon. Alhaji Bin-Salih
 
Adding his voice in commending the NDF, Hon. Alhaji Bin-Salih said “It is a real source of pleasure to learn about all that you are doing for our people. “ ….you will not fail because you recognise your elders!”
 
He recounted some factors that militate against getting people from the North united and to work with a common purpose and destiny. He advised the NDF not to let religion and partisan politics to interfere in their activities.
 
7.3 Hon. Naa Thomas Tia Sulemana
Hon Naa Sulemana promised the NDF the advice and assistance of the Council of State members, adding that “if you (NDF) fail it will also be a failure on our part”
 
7.4 Hon Mr. Francis Afoko
In his contribution Hon. Afoko prayed and hoped that the NDF will stay alive and united. “Often than not groups of this nature get destroyed due to internal and external factors. Please do all within your means to keep NDF alive and active.
 
7.5 Hon. C. K. Tedam
In his opening remarks, Hon Tedam gave a brief history of the political developments in the northern parts of Ghana and the formation of the Northern Peoples Party in 1954.
 
He informed the NDF that when the floods started the Council of State discussed the matter with Sector Ministers , they also carried out other activities behind the scenes for the development of the North.
 
He called on the NDF to intensify their efforts in finding lasting solutions to bridge the big developmental gab between the North and South of Ghana. He hoped that the NDF would truly become a platform or mouthpiece for addressing the integral development needs of the three Northern Regions. “We will give you the support that you need and in turn call on you to sacrifice for the success of this laudable venture.
 
7.0 Appreciation and Thanks
 
The Chairman of the NDF, Dr. Wemah thanked the Council of State members and was highly impressed that they are doing a lot behind the scenes. He congratulated them for all that they are doing for the three Northern Regions.
 
He asked the Council members to rest assured that NDF treasures their wise and fatherly counsel and will keep them informed and/or involved in the activities of the NDF.
 
Dr. Hafiz on his part was grateful for having had the opportunity of meeting the members of the Council of State and hoped that there will be frequent interactions between the NDF and Council.
 
9.0 Closing
The meeting came to a close at 11.55 following a prayer by
Hon. Bin-Salih.
 
 
 
Recorded by Ben Assorow
 
 
 
 
 
 
Courtesy Call on Northern Members of Parliament by the Northern Development Forum on November 8,2007 at Parliament House, Accra
 
1.0 List of MPs from the North at the Meeting
 
Name Constituency Tel & E-mail Address
1 Hon. Amadu Sorogbo (Alhaji) Abokobi, Madina 0244273131 [email protected]
2 Hon. Abuga Pele Chiana-Paga 0276621312
3 Alhaji Amadu Seidu 0244363390
4 Hon.Edward K. Salia Jiraapa 0244301401
5 Moses Dani Baah 0202012259
6 Hon. Alice Teni Boom 0244143901
7 Hon. Dominic A. Azumah 0244896015
8 Hon. Alhaji Alhassan Yabuku Yendi 0243717754
9 Hon. M. A. Yakubu 021665531
10 Hon. John A Tia 0244712196
11 Hon. Mohammed Ibn Abass Bimbila 0243419835
12 Hon. Alhaji Alidu Iddrisu Zakari 0243518124
13 Hon. Rashid Pelpuo Wa Central 0246382318 [email protected]
14 Hon. Masoud Baba- Pru 0208169652
15 Hon. Likpalimor K. Tawiah Kpandai 0244072319
16 Hon. Joseph Yieleh Chireh Wa West 0243464144 [email protected]
17 Hon. Albert Abongo Bongo 0244929829 [email protected]
18 Hon. Akunye Simon Pusiga 0244592623 [email protected]
19 Hon David Apasera Bolgatanga [email protected]
20 Hon Dr. Alhassan A Yakubu Mion 0244838977 [email protected]
21 Hon Inusah A. B. Fuseni Tamale Central 0243148299
22 Hon. Muntaka Mohammed Mubarak Asawase 0244387610 [email protected]
23 Hon. Mahama Ayariga Bawku Central 0244807666 [email protected]
24 Hon. Dr. Mustapha Ahmed Ayawaso East 0208110877 [email protected]
25 Ibrahim A. R. Tanko 0244995111
 
 
2.0 Members of the NDF
 
-Dr. Hakeem Wemah- Chairman of NDF
 
-Mr. Adam Sulley- Upper West Rep. and Chairman of Finance and Fundraising Committee.
-Dr. Adam Hafiz, Rep. of the Northern Region
-Mrs. Susana Mahama- Rep.of the Upper East Region.
– Mr. Bennet Mahama, Chairman of the Public Affairs Committee of the Forum
– Benedict Assorow- Ex-Officio Member
 
NB.This report is in the form of a Press Release
 
The Northern Caucus in Parliament has commended the Northern Development Forum (NDF) for organising Northerners and friends of the North in raising over 250 million cedis (GH¢25,000) for victims of the floods that hit the northern part of Ghana recently.
 
This commendation was made by the Chairman of the Caucus, Hon. Albert Salia when a delegation of the NDF led by its Chairman Dr. Hakeem Wemah called on the MPs at Parliament House yesterday to brief them on the activities and future plans of the Forum.
 
Hon. Salia informed the Forum that apart from their individual donation of relief items to the victims they, the MPs from the North, are contributing five million cedis each from their common Fund in support of the Forums’ Relief programme.
 
He expressed the appreciation of the MPs to the delegation to the Forum for the bold and courageous initiative taken insetting up a Northern Relief Fund.
 
The Second Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Hon. Yakubu Malik stressed that Northerners need to look beyond partisan and selfish interest and work together for the development of the three northern regions and the country as a whole.
 
Other MPs also lauded the efforts of the Forum and advised it not to rest on its oars and hoped that the Forum will live up to expectation. They also promised to collaborate with the Forum to finding lasting solutions to the development of the North.
 
Mr. Adam Sulley, a representative of the Upper West Region and Chairman of the Finance and Fund Raising Committee of the Forum told the MPs that the Forum has so far donated 700 bags of maize, soap and other relief items to the three Northern Regions.
 
Dr. Wemah, in thanking the MPs for having received him and his delegation made it clear that the Forum is non political, religious, and tribal. He express the appreciation of the Forum to the MPs for their donation of 100 million cedis and looked forward to more fruitful collaboration between the MPs and the Forum.
 
 
The following MPs also made contributions at the meeting:
 
1. Hon. John Tia
2. Hon. Dominic Azumah
3. Hon. Rashid Pelpuo
4. Hon. Alice Teni Boom
5. Hon. Abuga Pele
6. Hon. Dr. Mustapha
7. Hon. M. Ayariga
 
The delegation of the NDF had earlier on paid a courtesy call on the Vice President of Ghana, Alhaji Aliu Mahama. He was briefed on the activities of the Forum. He in turn, thanked the delegation, and wished them success in their endeavours. He assured the Forum of his official and personal support.
 
 
Recorded by Ben Assorow