NORTHERN CITIZENS BAG ₵153 MILLION FOR HOME

THE GHANAIAN TIMES
TUESDAY 2, OCTOBER 2007
NORTHERN CITIZENS BAG ₵153 MILLION FOR HOME
STORY BY: Times Reporter.
Northern citizens in Accra at a crisis meeting on Saturday to discuss the flood situation in the three northern regions of Ghana, succeeded in raising ₵153 million to support distressed compatriots.
A total of ₵100 million out of the amount was contributed by the members of parliament from the three northern regions from all the political parties. The meeting held at the GBC Club House, also agreed on constituting three committees of 10 citizens from each of the three regions to oversee the reconstruction of the three regions.
The groups are to hold a joint meeting today in Accra. The Sunday meeting also identified and discussed areas that require urgent attention and how to help flood victims in the short-term and a more comprehensive long term plan.
The chairman for the function, Dr. H.A. Wemah, appealed to northerners to rise up to the situation and contribute materially and financially towards the welfare of the flood victims. He stressed that the meeting was neither political, tribal nor religious but one to help northerners find solution to the problem.
“We should not allow politics to divide us because we are one people,” he said. Mr. Ben Assorow, a member of the organizing committee, said the magnitude of disaster coupled with the prevailing poverty levels, are staring the indigenes in the face.
He said with commitment, dedication and a sense of purpose, “we will be able to make meaningful contributions to the development of the north-our-mother-land.”
He therefore urged all Ghanaians to stand up to the challenge by contributing financially and materially to the victims.
Mr. Assorow commended the government, its development partners and all organizations and institutions which have so far supported the flood victims.
Among personalities who spoke at the meeting were Emmanuel Bounbande, Executive Director or the West African Network for Peace-Building and Dr. Edmund Delle, a dermatologist and National Chairman of the Convention Peoples party (CPP).