MOVE TO SPLIT NR ...Experts to assess process of demarcation — Veep (LEAD STORY)

THE largest region in the country, the Northern Region, which stretches over a third of Ghana’s land mass, is to be split into two to enhance its administration and development.
The Vice-President, Mr John Dramani Mahama, said a team of experts was to critically assess the process of demarcation and hold consultations with the various stakeholders, after which the 70,383 square kilometres of land would have two regional capitals to accelerate its development.
The vast region, which stretches from the country’s eastern corridor to its western corridor, currently has 18 districts and four paramount chiefs, namely, the Yaa Naa in Yendi, the Yagbon Wura in Damango, the Bimbila Naa in Bimbila and the Nayiri in Nalerigu.
Its vastness has been cited as one of the major barriers to effective administration and conflict resolution in the area.
Addressing the 33rd national congress of the Gonjaland Youth Association (GYA) at Bole on Sunday, the Vice- President, himself a Gonja, entreated the people of Gonjaland not to view the need for another region as being only in the interest of Gonjas but as a gesture that would ultimately benefit the entire people of the Northern Region.
“I see the need to split the region into two, as it will make it easier to manage and make more resources available to the two regions. But let us not pursue it as a demand for Gonjaland but as a request for all northerners," he reiterated.
Mr Mahama appealed to Gonjas to “maintain a unity of purpose with one common voice” in order to promote peace and stability for the accelerated development of the area.
He also announced plans by the government to create a separate development board for the shea nut industry, adding that a first-class shea nut processing plant would be established at Buipe.
He said the government was seriously considering the rehabilitation of the Fufulso-Damongo-Sawla road, adding that it was seeking funding for the project to begin.
Mr Mahama said the need to rehabilitate the road had become necessary in view of the Savanna Accelerated Development Authority and the Northern Development Initiative.
The National President of the GYA, Alhaji Ahmed Ewura, said the association had made significant strides over the past seven years, including its registration at the Registrar-General’s Department.
The Northern Regional Minister, Mr Stephen Nayina, urged the executives of the association to encourage the youth to go into productive ventures to improve their lot.
The Bolewura, Amankwa Gbeadese, mentioned the senior high school drop out rate among girls as a result of teenage pregnancy and the need for more health personnel as some of the challenges facing the area.
The GYA congress, which was on the theme, “Challenges of the Gonjaland Youth Association at 33”, assessed the performance of the association, its challenges and the way forward.
It was attended by traditional rulers, politicians and citizens of the area resident home and abroad who discussed issues including poor health, low school enrolment among girls and how best to harness the natural resources in the area for development.
A five-member executive was elected into office, with Mr Bakari Sadik Nyari as President.
The Vice-President was later presented with a citation for his contribution to the development of the area.