Disaster in the North Region! Where is our President?

Reading the national and international newspapers it appears the world is concerned about the floods which have affected close to 275,000 people in the Upper East, Upper West and Northern Regions of the country. Parts of the Western Region have also been affected. At least 20 people have been killed. Currently the United Nations is running assessments in the affected areas to confirm the NADMO information and identify the needs of affected civilians.

Where would these people go for refuge and shelter? Is this the country that celebrated Ghana @ 50 in style? Now the Government neglect of the Northern region for so long will become manifest – no good roads for relief supplies, little safe drinking water, lack of public toilets and other basic amenties.

The Northern region has a great potential. Yet we are so blind to see these potential and opportunitiesit offer Ghana. There is a lack of investment in the North. Most of the nursery and primary schools are of mud infrastructure.

I would encourage our Assembly men and women, MPs and the president to perhaps read a case study of Mick Foster and Douglas Zormelo on How, When and Why does Poverty get budget priority – Poverty Reduction Strategy and Public Expenditure in Ghana. Overseas Development Institute paper.

We have failed our people in the North and left NGO’s to take over affairs. Surely, if we had prioritised building of proper school structures our people could have used the classrooms temporarily until if and when they could return home. Currently there is nothing there and our people are left wondering where to go etc.

Are our emergency measures adequate enough to help in times like these? Certianly the children and families are the those who would suffer the impact of such a disaster. It is about time we share the budget for development evenly across regions. People in the North have suffered enough. It might be a good idea perhaps to encourage change visits among secondary students. This intiaitive would enhance that North – South divide and enlighten children about the wider perpsectives of Ghana and not just their little corner. I am appealing to all churches, Mosques, banks and the business community country to show our true love for fellow citizens. This is the time for everyone to roll up our sleeves and muck in. Businesses, organisations and all foreign missions in our country, we need your help.

It would be very encouraging to see all High Street Banks collecting money from their customers to voluntarily donate money for a good cause to help towards the disaster fund. All these would help our people in providing them with basic amenities for example shelter, food, temporary toilets etc.

It is rather disappointing that our President decided to leave on a trip to Canada two days after the floods, when the world is so concerned for our people. It would have made a significant impact if the President had stayed behind to deal with this crucial domestic crisis; this sends the wrong message to the rest of the world – we have a problem, but not bad enough to cancel my trip. Well, I hear he has instructed his Ministers to deal with the problems. Nevertheless our brothers and sisters in the North would have felt wanted and loved should he have stayed to say a word of comfort rather than his ministers. I hope this would be the turning point for any Government who comes into power. The North - South poverty divide is so vast. There are inequalities in health, education, employment, wealth and housing issues.

Surely equality of state funds is all what governance is all about? Isn’t it? How could Ghana be proud and be praising herself when our own people in the North are languishing in poverty! Come on whom are we fooling?

What have we achieved of significance that we deserve a new Presidential Palace, New Stadiums etc. Too many African countries invest in their capitals and ignore anywhere more than a few hours drive away (Equatorial Guinea?) One would have thought that providing basic amenities to all communities through community initiatives with enforcement from Assembly representatives, MP and the business world would transform Ghana in providing a uniform service thus making bridging the gap between the North and the South poverty divide.

I would strongly urged all youths in the North reading this article to challenge any MP who promises them facilities to deliver those promises and hold him or her to accounts. There is siginifcant amount of money earmarked for developemnt for every region. Be assertive and demand what is due to your various communties. Please do not let any one bully you guys that they are MP’s or Assembly men or women. Various businesses who are helping Bravo but please work in partnership with community leaders to identify what they want.

May be the President is keen to go abroad to get more funds for the disaster Who knows? Perhaps those in the North need to see the accounts in black and white as well as the strategic planning phase of their affairs before projects go through.

It would be seen as an insult seeing the President jetting off yet again when he could have let the Vice President to attend instead.

Perhaps he has a valid point for leaving and his ministers will tackle the flood disaster to his expectations.

However, Ghana would love a hands on President, some one who is there when most needed.

Views expressed by the author(s) do not necessarily reflect those of GhanaHomePage.