His Majesty of the Dagbon Kingdom, Ndan Ya Naa Abukari Mahama II has given his blessings to the Northern Development Authority (NDA) in the implementation of the government’s Infrastructure for Poverty Eradication Programme (IPEP).
The Chief Executive Officer of NDA, Dr Alhassan Sulemana Anamzooya together with the Northern Regional Minister, Mr. Salifu Sa-eed last Friday paid a working visit to the Gbewa Palace to brief the King about the ongoing IPEP initiative in the Dagbon Kingdom.
Addressing the Delegation, the Dagbon Overlord commended the NDA CEO for his appointment to lead the accelerated development agenda in the northern ecological zone.
The Ya Naa said his doors are widely open for any consultation to enable the authority and government deliver on its mandate.
“Never hesitate at any material moment to call on me for any support; it is my responsibility to help the President Nana Akufo-Addo and his government to bring the needed development to the people, not only in Dagbon but the entire country” Ya Naa emphasized.
However, Ya Naa Abukari II entreated the Northern Development Authority should be suspicious of fraudsters whom he noted may come in his name to seek support for their personal gains.
“People will come to you saying Ya Naa has sent them, they will say Ya Naa has asked me to tell you this but be very careful in dealing with fraudsters because I may not be aware of such individuals. Always crosscheck from the Palace by contacting the Secretary or PRO anytime such things happen”, he cautioned.
Dr Anamzooya thanked the Overlord for widely opening up his doors for the Northern Development Authority.
He said the implementation of the IPEP projects could not have been possible if there was no peace in the northern region and thereby commended President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Akufo, the three eminent Kings and the Regional Minister for helping to restore peace in Dagbon.
Dr Anamzooya noted the IPEP projects being executed forms part of the NDA’s mandate as stated in the law that established the Authority from the previous Savannah Accelerated Development Authority (SADA), Act 963, to develop the north.
Consequently, he urged the traditional rulers to develop interest in the affairs of the authority especially with projects that are prosecuted within their jurisdiction.
He underscored the important role in development, emphasizing the fact that, “If you are to engage in development without involving the Chiefs, you will not succeed”.
The NDA is currently supervising the construction of 2,149 infrastructure projects across the Northern, Savannah, North East, Upper West and Upper East region.
IPEP focuses on direct capital expenditure towards constituency level infrastructure and economic development priorities with emphasis on rural and deprived communities.
The funding for these projects comes the $1 million per constituency initiative, which was promised by the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) prior to the 2016 general election.
