A statement signed by Mr John Abdulai Jinapor, Spokesperson of the Vice-President, said the Office of the Vice-President had noted various reports accusing the government and Vice President John Dramani Mahama particularly, of failing to implement the SADA initiative promised by the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
It said contrary to the claims of its critics, the administration of President John Evans Atta Mills was committed and had worked diligently over the last 28 months towards a successful implementation of the SADA.
“Over the period, a technical team put together by the government worked on the draft SADA legislation, which was approved by Cabinet in March 2010 and also held various preparatory consultations towards the successful implementation of the initiative,” the statement said.
It recalled that following the passage by Parliament of the SADA Bill, which paved the way for the establishment of the authority, the SADA Board chaired by Mr Alhassan Andani was inaugurated in December of 2010.
“Since then, the Board has held two meetings in the Northern and Upper West Regions. It has also engaged PriceWaterHouse to recruit the permanent staff required for the administration of the authority.
“Local and foreign advertisements for the positions of Chief Executive Officer and heads of 11 other directorates have been issued.”
The statement said it was important to note that the implementation of the SADA Initiative was not a one-time event but an ongoing process until its desired objectives are achieved.
It said the Board of SADA, in collaboration with the government, was engaged in preparations towards a major stakeholders’ conference to be held in June.
The forum will bring together potential partners and funding agencies in a bid to raise the required capital for the implementation of identified projects aimed at achieving the objectives of SADA.
The statement said already, through government’s intervention and the work of the board, a number of agencies, including the British Department for International Development (DFID) and the World Bank had pledged funds for the SADA Initiative.
A number of private sector initiatives, supported strongly by the government and aimed at ensuring the development of industrial zones in the Savanna belt have also commenced, the statement said and cited the shea butter processing plant in Buipe in the Northern Region.
On the budgetary allocations made to SADA, the statement said the government was still committed to making such allocations to the authority.
However, it said, as explained by the Board Chairman, Mr Andani, this could only be done after the functional executives of the authority had been appointed, because “they have the authority to open and manage bank accounts on behalf of the authority”.
The statement said it was also important to note that prior to the approval of the SADA Bill by Parliament, broad consultations were held with chiefs, civil society organisations, district assemblies, regional coordinating councils and opinion leaders to solicit their inputs for the implementation of the programme.
District and non-governmental organisations (NGOs), stakeholders in 10 affected districts in the Northern Volta and Northern Brong-Ahafo Regions had been engaged in detailed assessments to determine their priorities for development under SADA, as part of preparations towards its speedy implementation, while Members of Parliament from the SADA areas were engaged in a two-day session to deliberate on their perspectives and recommendations for the SADA process.
The statement said the Office of the Vice-President had been holding a series of meetings with NGOs, civil society organisations, development partners and other governments on possible cooperation and also to solicit technical support for SADA.
It announced that an interim secretariat had been established to coordinate the start-up of SADA under the Office of the Vice-President and a Development Policy Adviser appointed by the President to advise the Government on the establishment of SADA.
“We wish to use this opportunity to assure all Ghanaians that tremendous strides have already been made and we look forward to the SADA Board rolling out its programmes shortly,” the statement said. - GNA
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