Press Conference held on the SADA BILL by the Northern Development Forum (NDF) on Tuesday, August 24, 2010 at the Ghana International Press Centre at 10:00am
Ladies and Gentlemen of the Media, you are most welcome. We, Executives and Members of the Northern Development Forum, a non-political grouping of citizens, friends and sympathizers of Northern Ghana, hereinafter referred to as the NDF, wish to express through you to the world at large, our heart-felt appreciation for the passage of the Savannah Accelerated Development Authority (SADA) Bill by the Fourth Parliament of the Fourth Republic of Ghana on Friday, 30th July, 2010.
We are happy to note that the Northern Development Forum, to a large extent, contributed to the acceleration of the passage of both the Northern Development Fund and SADA bills
We wish to emphasise that what happened on July 30, 2010 in Parliament was the culmination of many years of tireless efforts, prayers and expectations of individuals, groups, institutions and governments.
It would be recalled that a similar programme of development for Northern Ghana was aborted after the overthrow of the Conventions Peoples Party -CPP government of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah in 1966. In 1953 representatives of the then Northern Territories proposed to a Constitutional Assembly that a distinct institution be established to direct investment to the north “ with a purpose of catching up” with the rest of the country in development. Indeed, it was the product of many years of sacrifices and struggle by the peoples of Northern Ghana to overcome an unfair situation in which processes, policies, and especially politics have left them worse off in terms of development. Some of these events even date as far back as the days of the Trans-Atlantic slave trade, the period of colonization, the independence struggle and even post-independence political developments.
We would like to stress that the situation of an underdeveloped Northern Ghana as it is today, is an imposition on the peoples, both from within and to a large extent from without. Therefore, the process of development of the Northern part of Ghana must be the responsibility of people from Northern Ghana, but most importantly, it must be seriously taken as a national as well as an international responsibility.
We, wish to take this opportunity on behalf of the people and chiefs of the areas concerned to thank all individuals, institutions, Government and NGO’s for their contributions towards the passing of the SADA Bill. We would also like to recognise the contribution of the previous Government of the New Patriotic Party for the passage of the Northern Development Fund Bill which has now been replaced by the SADA Bill. We hope that this present bill would ensure a steady growth and development, not only of the affected areas, but that of Ghana as a whole.
The enthusiasm and concern that President, Professor John Evans Atta-Mills, and his Government have shown in the realisation of SADA is highly commendable.
The debate on the Bill in Parliament was unique. Both sides of the House-majority and minority- made positive and significant contributions to the Bill in recognition of its national importance.
While we anxiously await the assent of the President on the Bill, there is one vexing issue which must be tackled to clear the minds of the people who are concerned about the development of this country.
The absence of a specific and sustainable source of funding for SADA gives room for concern and misgivings! Naturally, without an identifiable, permanent and sustainable source of funding SADA would not make the desired or meaningful impact that is expected of it.
We therefore take this opportunity to appeal to the Government of the National Democratic Congress to come out with adequate and sustainable sources of funding for SADA.
We wish, also, to reiterate that the success of SADA is not, and indeed should not, be the responsibility of only people from the affected areas. It should be a national collaborative effort. In this regard we urge that recruitment into structures of implementation of SADA should be by commitment to the agenda of northern Ghana’s development and by merit, regardless of ones ethnic, regional or religious background. Indeed, for SADA to achieve its set objectives, party political affiliations should not be the yard stick for employment. Political neutrality is imperative for the success of SADA as was amply underscored by the unanimity of the House of Parliament during the parliamentary debates on the bill.
At this juncture we wish to acknowledge and salute the many individuals, especially those of northern Ghanaian descent and elsewhere, including a range from clergy and scholars, to past and present educationists and politicians- Parliamentarians, Council of State Members and chiefs who have played and continue to play significant roles in the development effort of the areas concerned. In fact, it will be difficult, if not impossible, to mention all these individuals and other groups by name.
We also wish to use this occasion to appeal to all citizens of northern Ghana, especially those whose professions and expertise relate to aspects of the implementation of SADA, to begin to rethink the prospects of a “return home” from the Diaspora to make their contributions to this renewed effort at northern Ghana’s development.
The Forum wishes to assure the Government of its full support for SADA to make it effective and a great success. Accordingly the Forum is planning an extensive public education on SADA to foster the total involvement and ownership of SADA by the people of the SADA zone.
Finally it is fair, to sound a note of caution to the implementing agencies that NDF will, in collaboration with other institutions, monitor and evaluate all activities and progress of SADA in order to promote accountability and transparency in the interest of mother Ghana.
Ladies and gentlemen of the media, and all you distinguished personalities, we thank you, once more, for taking part of your valuable time to come and give us your moral support.
Long live SADA !
Long live Ghana!
And may the Almighty bless us all !
DR. HAKEEM WEMAH
CHAIRMAN:
NORTHERN DEVELOPMENT FORUM
