President Mahama Committed to Accelerating Northern Development

Chief of Staff, Hon Julius Debrah has reaffirmed President John Dramani Mahama’s unwavering commitment to the accelerated development of Northern Ghana, stressing the need for bipartisan cooperation and a long-term strategic vision.

Speaking at the inaugural Northern Ghana Development Conference in Tamale, Mr. Debrah said President Mahama, although unable to attend in person, was fully aligned with the goals of the conference and eager to see tangible progress in the region’s development.

“I bring you special greetings from His Excellency President John Dramani Mahama, who would have loved to be here. As a son of the North, he holds the region close to his heart and is fully supportive of this bold initiative,” Mr. Debrah stated.

He commended the Northern Caucus in Parliament for convening the conference, describing it as a necessary step towards goal setting and coordinated development.

“All successful development strategies begin with setting clear goals. Once that is done, planning and implementation can follow with clarity and purpose,” he added.

Mr. Debrah noted that the North holds immense potential and praised the unity demonstrated by both Majority and Minority leaders at the conference.

He recalled visits to Burkina Faso and Benin, where value was being added to local agricultural products such as sugarcane and cotton, and expressed optimism that similar agro-industrial developments could be replicated in Northern Ghana.

“In my conversations with President Mahama, he reiterated his vision to industrialise the North. This initiative is a reflection of that vision taking root, and I am proud it is being championed by the people themselves,” Mr. Debrah said.

He urged participants and stakeholders to rise above partisanship and adopt a unified national approach to development.

“Let us ensure that the outcomes of this conference are well documented and integrated into a permanent development agenda, one that any future government—NDC or NPP—can implement,” he appealed.

The conference, held under the theme “A Conference of Northern People, Leaders and Partners,” was organised by Parliament with support from development partners.

It aimed to galvanise national support for fair resource allocation and the acceleration of development in Northern Ghana.

Majority Leader and MP for Bawku Central, Hon. Mahama Ayariga, emphasised that the event was designed to foster consensus and encourage collaboration across political divides. “We are here to use our collective experience and networks to guide regional ministers, MMDCEs, and traditional leaders to champion transformative change,” he stated.

Mr. Ayariga highlighted the need to attract strategic projects, development partners, and investors, while also monitoring delivery in critical sectors such as education, healthcare, electricity, water, and infrastructure.

He described the conference as a milestone in advancing a vision rooted in the region’s long-standing aspirations, including those outlined in Dr. Kwame Nkrumah’s 1963 Seven-Year Development Plan.

“Elections are over. It is time to come together and use our collective strength to fight poverty and promote opportunities,” he urged, calling for unity and sustained support from traditional authorities.

Minority Leader Hon. Alexander Afenyo-Markin echoed similar sentiments, stating that development in the North should be a shared national responsibility.

“We must promote peace, invest in education, and ensure that the outcomes of development reflect the real needs of the people,” he said.

He pledged the Minority’s support in Parliament to ensure equitable allocation of resources, complete major infrastructure projects like the Eastern Corridor road, and expand access to clean water and electricity in rural areas.

He also called for improved teacher deployment and the expansion of vocational and tertiary education to equip young people with practical skills.

The Paramount Chief of the Nanton Traditional Area, Naa Yab Nanton Naa Mahamadu V, pledged the support of traditional leaders for the initiative.

He underscored the importance of peace in ensuring sustainable development and assured participants of the chiefs’ commitment to the conference’s goals.

The well-attended event brought together Members of Parliament from the northern regions, traditional rulers, development partners, youth and women’s groups, students, and members of the public, all united in the call for a new era of prosperity for Northern Ghana.