Dalun Lana Amidu Mahama, Chief of Dalun in the Northern Region, has expressed displeasure about the poor road network in the area, which he said had resulted in slow pace of development.

He said, aside of the fact that Dalun is hosting the Northern Region Water Treatment Plant, it is also the hub for the cultivation of cereals, vegetables and yams; but due to the poor nature of the road, farmers found it difficult to convey their produce to Tamale.

Dalun Lana Mahama registered his frustration during the Annual General Meeting of Ghana Development Communities Association (GDCA), an NGO in Tolon.

He said the people were often cut-off from the region during the raining season.

The day’s forum brought together stakeholders including the media to share experiences, take stock of projects being implemented and strategise for the last quarter of the year.

He said good roads could boost investment potentials in the area as well as the national economy, and therefore appealed to the Ministry of Roads and Highways and the Department of Feeder Roads to tackle the problem.

He thanked the Royal Danish government for its diverse support towards improving the standard of living of the people.

Professor Abubakr Alhassan, Chairman of GDCA, said about 4,300 illiterates in the region had graduated under the organisation’s project, called Complementary Basic Education and Youth Empowerment for Life.

The beneficiaries were taught basic numerals, writing skills, reading in English and the local dialect.

He said a fact finding initiative called Dagbon Peace Project was undertaken by consultants from the Institute of Justice and Reconciliation in South Africa.

Prof Alhassan said the initiative noted positive signs that the two royal gates of Dagbon; Andani and Abudu, engaged in a protracted chieftaincy dispute could unite.

He said 36 communities had benefited from the GDCA’s Water and Sanitation project, under which a total of 82 units of household latrine had been built.

Prof Alhassan said through collaboration with the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, farmers were trained on good agronomic practices and climate change adaptation strategy.

He said various groups were also supported with micro credit under the Community Life Improvement Programme.**