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Government's development
may be set back by 2008 election
generated tensions
Wa, Jan. 4, Ghanadot/GNA - Mr George Hikah Benson, Upper
West Regional Minister has observed that the biggest threat
to the government's development agenda for the North might
be tension and conflicts that would probably be generated by
election 2008.
He said tension and conflicts were likely to scare away
support from government's agenda for the North and all must
show concern about it and address the possible challenges to
avoid its occurrence.
Mr Benson made the observation at an end of year dinner
hosted by the Regional Coordinating Council for Members of
Parliament, District Chief Executives, Security Heads and a
cross section of the public in Wa on Thursday.
The forum, the first of its kind, is the brainchild of Mr
Benson to create an opportunity for politicians from the
political divide to foster unity and cooperation among
themselves and to enable them to contribute collectively to
the development of the region to benefit the people.
Mr Benson reminded politicians in the region that they were
seeking political office to undertake development projects
in the same way as the current government was doing and that
they would be doing more harm than good if they encourage or
condone violence just for the sake of gaining political
power.
"We have co-existed as a people belonging to different
ethnic, religious and other social groupings for a very long
time.
"I am confident that we have the capacity to resolve all our
differences amicably and we should not allow our political
differences to stand in the way of the development of our
people," he said.
"The Upper West Region must be bigger than the political
parties to which we belong", he said adding: "There is the
need for all of us to resolve to uphold and sustain our
unity in diversity.
Mr Benson urged the people of the region to conduct their
political campaigns for election 2008 in a civil manner and
with respect for the rule of law and avoid tendencies that
would undermine the collective desire to uplift the people
from the shackles of poverty.
He said government would on its part create an enabling
environment for a competitive, free and fair 2008 poll that
would give no room to people to raise eyebrows to cause
confusion and chaos.
He urged leaders of the various political parties in the
region to let their supporters know that though they may
belong to different political parties, their destiny was
one.
Mr Benson said: " Our commitment to the development of our
people is not negotiable and should not be sacrificed on the
altar of individual and political considerations".
He said government have made great strides in the provision
of infrastructure, but a lot more remain to be done to
reduce poverty, infant and maternal mortality as well as
diseases, ignorance and illiteracy.
He said following the devastating floods in the northern
parts of the country, government had resolved to tackle the
challenges arising from the disaster.
Mr Benson urged politicians in the northern and the people
to take advantage of these developments to improve their
lots by sustaining the peace and unity.
He said government would from this year invest in the
upgrading of the road network, expand agriculture and
improve on education and health infrastructure in the
region.
GNA
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