Indian High Commissioner visits Upper East

Bolgatanga, Sept. 22, GNA - The Indian High Commissioner in Ghana, Mr Arum Kumar Banerjee, has urged local authorities and the people of the Upper East Region to set their minds towards finding lasting solutions to natural obstacles undermining the socio-economic development of the area.

Mr Banerjee observed that it would not rpt not be enough to talk of broadening the base of grassroots participation in decision-making without an equal commitment to liberate the people from economic stagnation.

The High Commissioner, who is on a four-day familiarisation tour of the region, said these when he paid a courtesy call on the Regional Minister, Alhaji Amidu Sulemana, in Bolgatanga.

He said there was the compelling need for the people to adopt appropriate agricultural technologies that would be less dependent on rainfall. Emphasis should be put on the introduction of cash crops that are suitable for the area's climate.

Mr Banerjee assured the regional authorities that the Indian government would be willing to share with them expertise in areas that would enhance the productivity of the people.

Alhaji Sulemana underscored the need for more to be done to enhance rural industrialisation in the region, noting that it has become clear that environmental degradation and unfavourable climatic conditions have rendered rain-fed agriculture less attractive in the area.

In view of this, the most reasonable option would be to practise rural and cottage industrial development, especially in the areas of basketry and weaving. He called on the Indian government to assist in that direction.

Alhaji Sulemana, also identified tourism promotion as one of the areas in which the authorities would welcome both local and foreign investment, more so when "the region is relatively peaceful and investor friendly".

Dr Albert Tenga, Bolgatanga District Chief Executive, briefed the High Commissioner on the country's decentralisation programme, and said the process has pushed forward the government's desire to enhance grassroots democracy.

While in the region, the envoy would visit some potential tourist destinations, interact with some district chief executives and pay a courtesy call on the Bolga-Naba, Martin Abilba the second.