Nalerigu, Damongo Now Regional Capitals …As Violence Erupts In Salaga
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, yesterday presented to traditional heads, the Constitutional Instrument—CI 116, for the creation of the new North East and Savannah Regions.
Nalerigu and Damongo have also been named capitals of the North East and Savannah Regions, respectively.
The North East region constitutes East and West Mamprusi municipalities, Bunkprugu-Nakpanduri District, Yunyoo-Nasuan District, Mamprugu-Moagduri District and Chereponi District.
The districts making up the Savannah Region are Bole District, North Gonja District, Sawla-Tuna-Kalba District, West Gonja District, East Gonja Municipality and the Central Gonja District.
This singular act officially brings to 12, the number of regions that the country has.
The North East Region together with the Savannah, Oti, Bono East, Ahafo and Western North, were created following a successful referenda on December 27, 2018.
Speaking at the grand event at the Jubilee House in Accra, President Akufo-Addo said the regions had been created out of the growing demands for the reorganisation of the Northern region.
“I was struck by the several occasions in the course of the proceedings when important personalities from different political persuasions saw common ground on the need to create new regions. It is clear that the process was demand driven and reflective of the will of the people as the constitution so intended,” he said.
Nalerigu
Naming Nalerigu as the capital of the newly created North East region, the President pinpointed the current Northern Regional Minister, Salifu Saeed, as its interim minister until a substantive minister is appointed.
The announcement attracted a thunderous applause from the chiefs and people from the area who had thronged the Jubilee House in their numbers to showcase their rich culture.
Though Nalerigu had been chosen as capital of the North East Region, Akufo-Addo assured residents of the region of an equitable distribution of government’s projects and structures.
“Let us work hard together and I’m confident that with dedication and commitment, the North East Region will develop and touch the lives of every resident and help us to build the great Nation of Ghana we all desire. Let us be up and doing for our destiny beckons,” he stated.
Meanwhile, the president also announced that a whooping GH₵20million cedi had been allocated to each region to aid in a smooth take-off, adding that his government wiould ensure “the desire for growth and progress which was the underlying reason for vote for the creation of the North East Region is met.”
Peace Maker
Receiving the document of attestation and copies of the CI 116 on behalf of his people, the Nayiri (Overlord) of Mamprugu Traditional Area, Nabohagu Mahami Sheriga, said he and his people are grateful for the new region.
“You are not just an astute politician and accomplished lawyer, but a champion of our democratic experiment. You are a peace maker, a generational thinker… you have devoted your entire life to serve humanity. Sometimes at the very peril of your priceless gift of life,” he said in a speech read on his behalf.
Violence stirs
Meanwhile, as at press time yesterday, The Publisher received news that violence had broken out in Salaga South, following the naming of Damongo as the capital of the newly-created Savannah region.
Dozens of angry youth vandalized and set ablaze the Municipal office of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP). Several properties belonging to the party including billboards of the President have been destroyed.
This sad development comes barely 24 hours after the president presented the CI to chiefs and people of the region.
The remaining regions awaiting the presentation of their Constitutional Instruments are Western North, Ahafo, Bono East and Oti.
These events will take place today, Wednesday, February 13, and Friday, February 15, 2019 respectively.
By Grace Ablewor Sogbey
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