U/E to mark Golden Jubilee in 2010

THOUGH THE new Upper East Regional Minister, Mr. Mark Woyongo, is yet to officially resume work after his arrival last Saturday, he has already made his first promise, to set up a committee to work on the activities for the fiftieth anniversary for the creation of the region next year.

Mr. Woyongo, a journalist by training, believes the fiftieth anniversary celebration of the region, was a great avenue for him to showcase the region to the international world.

Speaking at the forecourt of the Regional Coordinating Council, the Regional Minister reiterated his commitment to make the protracted Bawku chieftaincy conflict his prime concern.

Mr. Woyongo observed that Bawku was very industrious, and if there were total peace, business activities would surely flourish, and in turn, the entire region would benefit significantly.

He therefore pledged to join forces with the chiefs, opinion leaders, security agencies and all stakeholders, to bring permanent peace to the area, and asked for the support of all and sundry to achieve this objective.

Mr. Woyongo said his bitter enemies were poverty and disease, giving the assurance that he was ready to work with everybody, irrespective of their political culture, religious or tribal backgrounds, to arrest these enemies.

The Regional Minister received a royal reception from the regional leadership of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), supporters and sympathisers of the party, family members, friends, relations, chiefs and their people across the region.

Some of them had gathered at Walewale in the Northern Region, others too at Pwalugu in the Upper East Region, to welcome the much-awaited Regional Minister, of whom much is expected, in terms of development.

Upon his arrival at the regional capital, Bolgatanga, Mr. Woyongo was driven through the principal streets with much excitement and jubilations from all those who were gathered along the streets to catch a glimpse of him.

He paid courtesy calls on the Paramount Chief of the Bolgatanga Traditional Area, Naba Martin Adongo Abilba III, and the Catholic Archbishop, Lucas Abadamloore. Mr. Woyong introduced his deputy-designate, Mrs. Lucy Awuni.

District and Municipal Coordinating Directors, as well as most of the aspiring District Municipal and Metropolitan Chief Executives, like Aloah Geirge Magnus of the Kassena Nankana West District, were there to welcome the minister.

A former Regional Minister in the NDC administration, Mr. Donald Adebire, advised Mr. Woyongo to be a good listener, talk less, and focus his attention on addressing the problems confronting the region.

Mr. Adebire reminded the Regional Minister that there he was going to face a lot of challenges, but all that he needed was to be firm in dealing with them.