Solid Case for Gonja Region

Background

Gonjaland is endowed with mineral and tourism potential with abundance of arable land, and deserves to be carved out of the Northern Region and made a new region in accordance with Article 5 of the 1992 Constitution of the Republic of Ghana.

This is an area that has the largest concentration of people with diverse ethnic composition, and the sheer enormity of the Northern region, coupled with the lack of adequate basic infrastructure, poses daunting administrative challenges that make effective governance almost impossible. This explains why most Regional Ministers assigned to the Region since independence, namely Mr. E.A. Mahama, Mr. Mumuni Bawumia, Colonel Iddisah, Colonel Abdulai Ibrahim, Alhaji Hudu Yahaya, Alhaji B.A. Fusheni, Alhaji Seidu Iddi, Mr. Ernest Akuoba Debra, Alhaji Sadique Boniface and Alhaji Mustapha Ali Iddris, just to name a few, have ardently advocated for the creation of another region out of the Northern region.

Why The Request?

The main reason for the request for the creation of a new region out of the present Northern Region is to accelerate Economic Development and enhance Administrative Efficiency.

The Northern Region, which occupies an area of 70,383 square kilometers (Sq. km.) of Ghana’s total land area of 238,533 sq.km, is the largest region in Ghana in terms of land area.

Land Size

Gonjaland, occupies an area of 37,582 Square kilometers (sq.km), constituting 53.45% of the land area of the Northern Region (70,384 sq.km.) and 16.09% of the total land area of Ghana (238,533 sq. km.). In fact no other region would match its land size, as it comes to nearly the same size as the Brong Ahafo region, and is over one and half (1.54) times the size of the Ashanti region, over one and half (1.57) the size of the Western region, about four (3.82) times the size of the Central region, about twelve times (11.58) the size of the Greater Accra region, about twice the size of the Volta region (1.82), the Eastern region (1.95) and Upper West region (2.03), and over 4 times the size of the Upper East region.

Population

Gonjaland has a population of 578,235 with a population density of 15 persons per sq.km., as against a national average of 103 and a Northern regional average of 35 persons per sq.km. It has an annual growth rate of 2.9% (2010 National Population Census). Gonjaland, like other parts of the Northern Region is made up of many ethnic groups. They include Gonjas, Dagombas, Nchumurus, Nawuris, Basaris, Konkombas, Vaglas, Safalbas, Mos, Lobis, Dargabas, Tamplumas, Hangas, Brafors, Mmaras, Pantra, Mibor, Bartiges and Bators.

The diversity of languages in Gonjaland is a high potential for development as governance will be strengthened through increase is participation by all members in decision making process.

Agricultural Production

The Black Volta, the White Volta, River Dakar and Oti are main rivers passing through Gonjaland, which is a major foodstuffs production zone in which rice, cassava, sorghum, maize, yam, groundnuts, millet are highly cultivated.

Industry

Gonjaland has one of the largest concentrations of shear nuts trees in West Africa and therefore suitable for commercial purposes and increase in employment opportunities for the country as a whole.

The availability of limestone in Gonjaland led to the establishment of a cement factory (Savanna Diamond Cement Limited ), and creation of business opportunities in Buipe which is now the hub and gateway for commercial activists in the Northern Region.

Transport activities on the Volta lakes (Black and White) are also expected to improve alongside the railway which is expected to have a station in Buipe. This will cause agro-businesses to flourish and increase productivity for the country.

Expanded Tourism at Mole, whilst networking with other high value tourist sites at Larbanga, Salaga, Jentilpe, Nyange, Mankuma and the confluence of the white and black Volta at Lorenchira, and smock weaving at Daboya will also facilitate other business opportunities.

Benefits

Political: The creation of a new region will enhance administrative efficiency, accelerate socio-economic and infrastructure development, give impetus to the government’s decentralization policy, and thus bring government and governance closer to peoples at all levels.

Economic: Will enhance effective and efficient exploitation of the regions’ natural resource endowments, prioritize agriculture, increase agricultural productivity and also turn the regions into the ‘bread basket’ of the country. Tourism and tourist-related businesses, eco-friendly mining and other business opportunities will also be encouraged. These would create employment, increase the incomes of the people, reduce poverty and on the whole improve the economic well-being of the people.

Social: Participation in decision making at the local level will go a long way in reducing mistrust, tribal animosity, and encourage peaceful co-existence. It will also stymie the drifting of young men and women to the South in search of jobs – the Kayaye.

Way forward

His Excellency the president of the Republic of Ghana in fulfillment of the constitutional requirements under Article 5 (2) has accordingly appointed a commission of inquiry to inquire into the demand and make recommendations on all the factors involved in the creation of the regions.

We are therefore calling on all stakeholders (chiefs, politicians, civil society organization, youth groups, farmers, traders, business men and women, public servants, students and the General Public) to support this course and vote for YES.