Dagbon Chiefs call on President Mills

Accra, July 22, GNA- President John Evans Atta Mills on Wednesday said his administration would eliminate the culture of impunity and ensure justice without favour to any person or group of persons in the interest of national peace.

The President Mills gave the assurance when a delegation from the Dagbon Traditional Area, in the Northern Region, paid a courtesy call on him at the Osu Castle, and congratulated him on his assumption to the Presidency.

He said government was aware that there were real problems and challenges in the Northern, Upper East and Upper West regions and how much the people had suffered for the sake of the National Democratic Congress.

President Mills said peace was essential to national development, and expressed government's appreciation for the massive vote it had from the three regions in the last general election. He said the formation of the Savannah Accelerated Development Agency would fast track the development of the North and facilitate government's promise to develop the area. President Mills expressed appreciation to the chiefs for the visit and described it as a sign of love, warmth and the confidence they had in him.

He appealed for their support and prayers to enable the government to do what is right in the sight of God. President Mills asked the traditional authorities to manage the resources entrusted in to their care judiciously for the benefit of the people.

He reiterated government's assurance to improve the road network in the North.

The delegation appealed to the President to focus on the development of agriculture, improvement in the road network, health and education.

The chiefs also asked for justice in the murder of the Ya Na Yakubu Andani II, overlord of Dagbon and his sub-chiefs in 2002, and Alhaji Issah Mobila, the former Regional Chairman of the Convention Peoples Party in 2004.

The delegation stressed: "Apprehending the perpetrators of these heinous crimes is very critical in bringing peace and unity to Dagbon. It is only then that Dagbon will be well placed to contribute its quota to national development efforts." Mr Stephen Nayina, Regional Minister suggested the need for government to divide the region into two or more regions or create additional districts to facilitate administration. 22 July 09