Alhaji Shani Alhassan Saibu, Northern Regional Minister has shared President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo led government development agenda with the Northern Ghanaian Community in America, and urged them to partner with local and international companies to invest in the Ghanaian economy.
Pishigu-Lana Dr Alhassan Andani, Chairman of the Dagbon Development Fund (DDF) also made a presentation on the Fund and the development agenda initiated by the Chiefs of Dagbon led by NdanYa-Na Mahama Abukari II.
The Regional Minister, therefore, urged the Northern Ghanaian Community in America to take advantage of the government programmes.
The two made their remarks at a forum preceding the celebration of the Second Annual Damba Festival organised by the Northern Ghana Diaspora Community in New Jersey, and expressed the hope that Ghana would build back much stronger as the country sought to overcome her economic challenges.
The celebration which was on the theme: “Repositioning Dagbon for Accelerated Development: The Role of Dagombas in the Diaspora” brought together the Northern Ghanaian Community from all parts of the United States to showcase their culture and tradition.
Alhaji Shaibu said the policies and programmes implemented by the government had taken roots, grown, and are now bearing fruits and that some key initiatives undertaken by the government in line with its promises to enhancing Ghana’s socio-economic growth, encompass the ‘Free Senior High School (SHS)’ policy, ‘One District, One Factory (1D1F)’ project, National Digital Property Addressing System, and focus of economic policy from taxation to production.
He urged the Ghanaian Community to focus on the promotion of Agricultural, Waste Management, Real Estate and other sectors that would boost Ghana’s economy and development, especially, Agro processing as it remains the major business in the Northern regions.
Pishigu-Lana Naa Dr Andani task the Northern Community on the need to reposition themselves by investing and strengthen their family ties financially back home in order to benefit Dagbon.
He use the occasion to educate Dagbon natives on their role as Dagombas in the Diaspora and how the DDF was a robust financial management system put in place with the appropriate governance structures to oversee the development of Dagbon.
Pishigu-Lana Dr Andani said the objective of the DDF was aimed at strengthening the economic and social cohesion in Dagbon by correcting intra-Dagbon imbalances between communities and the rest of the world.
He revealed that the fund is partnering government, the Northern Development Authority, the private sector and other international development partners to: Rebrand and repackage Dagbon Chieftaincy institution to become a major vehicle for development, Mobilise funds and manage them prudently for Dagbon traditional area, Make Dagbon a competitive economic area including financing infrastructure linked notably to research and innovation, Agriculture, Telecommunition, Environment, Energy and Transport, Advocate, and pursue sustainable development of Dagbon in line with the Sustainable Development Goals”.
Naa Bakpem Kar-Naa who stood in for NdanYa-Na Abukari II in this year’s Damba festival stressed the need for Dagombas in the Diaspora to look for strategic investors/partners to invest in Dagbon in the area of Agriculture, which is the major occupation in the North.
Alhaji Alidu Andani, Chairman of the occasion called on natives of Dagbon in the United States to promote the culture, tradition and history of Dagbon to the International Community. -GNA
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