Josiah
Alan Kyerematen’s recent tour of Ghana’s five northern regions—Upper West, Upper East, Northern, North East, and Savanna—underscored the urgent need for development in a region rich with untapped potential. During the tour, Alan observed the pressing challenges facing these communities and pledged to prioritize their development under his leadership.
Speaking with local journalists at the end of his visit, Alan expressed deep concern over the region’s lack of basic social and economic infrastructure, describing it as a longstanding failure of leadership by successive governments.
“The conditions here are alarming,” he remarked. “In many communities, children endure harsh conditions to study, while families struggle daily for access to clean water. These realities perpetuate cycles of poverty and inequality, holding back not just this region but the entire nation.”
Alan highlighted the plight of children walking long distances to fetch water, often from unsafe sources shared with livestock. Reflecting on these hardships, he stated, “No child should have to choose between going to school and fetching water for their family. This highlights the urgent need for sustainable solutions to provide basic necessities like clean water and education.”
The lack of healthcare infrastructure also drew his concern, with some residents traveling kilometers to access the nearest clinic. “It’s heartbreaking to hear of lives lost to preventable conditions simply because there are no nearby health facilities. This region has immense potential to drive Ghana’s growth, yet it remains neglected. We must change this,” he said.
Alan also addressed the struggles of farmers, who face erratic weather, insufficient inputs, and limited market access. He proposed a New Agricultural Revolution to modernize farming practices, improve incomes, and transform the region into the food basket of West Africa. Key initiatives include completing projects like the Pwalugu Multipurpose Dam and introducing agro-parks for year-round farming. “With the right support, agriculture here can thrive, improve food security, and transform lives,” he assured.
During his interactions with traders, Alan heard stories of market women trapped in debt due to limited access to affordable loans. In response, he proposed the establishment of a Traders Bank to provide low-interest loans tailored to small-scale traders’ needs. “These hardworking individuals need just a little support to flourish. If we empower the traders, we empower the families they support,” he emphasized.
As he concluded, Alan challenged the people of the northern regions to reconsider their political choices. “For decades, the duopoly has sought your votes only to neglect you once in power. Now, instead of offering solutions, they argue over who is more corrupt or who has mismanaged the economy less,” he stated.
Alan took a direct swipe at Vice President Bawumia, saying, “Bawumia claims that under the NDC, the currency depreciated by 74%, compared to 72% under the NPP—despite the cedi hitting 17 to the dollar under his watch. If this is his measure of success, we face a serious leadership crisis.”
Urging the people to demand better, Alan presented his Great Transformational Plan (GTP) as a promise of meaningful change. “The northern regions deserve better. Your children deserve the opportunity to dream and achieve. Together, we can turn challenges into opportunities and ensure no family or community is left behind in the fight against poverty,” he concluded.
Source:Omanghana.com
