Return to peace talks, President Mills appeals to Mamprusis

President John Evans Atta Mills has made a passionate appeal to Mamprusis on the Bawku Inter-Ethnic Peace Committee to rescind their decision to boycott the Committee’s work and return for the sake of peace.

The Mamprusis, who accused the Regional Security Council of discrimination, pulled out of the committee because they were barred from celebrating the annual Damba festival after several requests.

President Mills made the appeal on the first day of his tour of the Upper East Region, where he addressed Paramount Chiefs at the Regional House of Chiefs’ premises in Bolgatanga.

Later in an address to the Chiefs and people, President Mills said he was going to follow up on his promises to the region to monitor the progress of infrastructural development.

This he said was to ensure that ongoing projects are not abandoned or unduly delayed.

“We have been voted into power because our people expect development, progress and improvement in their conditions of life. However, we cannot develop and progress without peace. I am happy that there is relative peace in the Upper East Region but this is not all. I know about the decision by one faction of the inter-ethnic group dealing with the Bawku issue not to remain on that Committee. I want to make an appeal to them. Please for the sake of unity to remain on the Committee. For the sake of peace and unity, I want to plead with you my brothers and sisters to reconsider your decision”.

“But that appeal goes to all of us. We must realize that this is the only country that we have and without peace there can be no progress. And when we take positions which create disunity, let us remember especially the young men and women whose future we are toying with. We are building Ghana for generations which are yet to come. We must lay a solid foundation. What is happening elsewhere should be an eye opener to us” he urged.

Upper East Regional Minister Mark Wayongo enumerated a number of projects that were underway and also mentioned several challenges facing the region particularly in the health sector.

He bemoaned the alarming patient-doctor ratio but indicated that some districts have been directed to sponsor at least five students to various medical schools for the region’s benefit within the next seven years.

The President of the Upper East Regional House of Chiefs urged President Mills to ensure that pertinent challenges in the road, health and educational sectors are addressed in the shortest possible time.

He made a personal appeal to the President to sponsor the renovation of the regional house of chiefs building.

Whiles in the Region, the President will visit several project sites and cut the sod for the rehabilitation of the Bolgatanga Sports Stadium, Vea Water Treatment Plant and the Navrongo-Nayagni-Mirigu road.

He will also inaugurate an electrification project at Nakolo as part of the three day tour.

The tour is to be replicated in all Regions, where the President would also hold discussions with Regional Ministers, Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives as well as party officials and supporters.

The first phase of the regional tours will take him to the Upper East, Upper West, Northern, Brong Ahafo and Ashanti Regions.

Source: Citifmonline.com