Let's showcase potentials of Upper East Region

Bolgatanga, April 27, GNA - The Upper East Region is located in the north-eastern corner of the country and is bordered to the north by Burkina Faso; the east by the Republic of Togo, the west by Sissala District in Upper West and the south by West Mamprusi in Northern Region. The land is relatively flat with a few hills to the east and southeast. The total land area is about 8,842 sq km, which translates into 2.7 per cent of the total land area of the country.

The Upper East Region was part of what used to be the Upper Region (Upper East and Upper West) which was itself calved out of what used to be Northern Region on 1st July, 1960.

Historically from 1902 the old Northern Territory was a British Protectorate until the 1960s when it was separated into Northern and Upper Region. The Upper Region was later divided into Upper East and Upper West in 1983 during the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC) Regime. The Upper East Region is 50 years now and would soon be celebrating its 50th anniversary in September 2010 this year. It would be recalled that just when the Region was about to clock its silver jubilee, it gave birth to another Region being the Upper West Region in 1983.

Age 50 is a significant milestone which deserves to be celebrated in a very grand style with pomp and pageantry because regions or nations of the world soon after they had attained a few years of existence are plunged into chaos, violence or even obliteration. For example in Europe where is the country that used to be known as Czechoslovakia? Where is Somalia? The Upper East Region, therefore, has a lot to celebrate after the past 50 years of continuous peace, development and progress. The Region has been a big source of identity for all its residents and through that it has had its fair share of the national cake. If the Region was not created but had continued to be part of the huge Northern Region, it would not have seen the phenomenal developments. There is no doubt that the celebration of the Region's 50th anniversary would help to showcase much of the potentials to the rest of the country and the World at large.

Agricultural potential of the Region There is a great development potential in the Region and with one of them being the large-scale production of rice especially in the now onchocerciasis (river blindness) free zone. In fact, this zone, which encompasses Fumbisi and Gbedembillisi areas, is normally termed the "rice-bowl" of the Region. This area has vast lands and suitable soil, which if properly exploited, would give high yields of rice. The Region also has a great potential in the area of cash crop production and fish farming. This is due to the existence of many irrigation sites in the Region. In addition to the Vea and Tono Irrigation Dams, there are more than 220 dams and dugouts in the Region, which have lands suitable for crops such as onion, tomatoes and pepper cultivation. Livestock rearing is also a common agricultural activity among the people in the Region. It has about 18 per cent of cattle and nine per cent of the small ruminants in the country. It supplies 50,000 cattle; 40,000 sheep and 40,000 goats to the Southern Sector of the country annually. Poultry is mostly local birds and domesticated guinea fowls. Most of these livestock are kept on an unimproved scavenging regime, although some supplementary feeding is done especially during the dry season. Potential investors therefore have a lot to gain since the Region has a great potential for commercial livestock and poultry rearing.

Mining potential of the Region In spite of the relatively developed nature of the mining and quarrying industry, the industry has potential for further development. Potential investors, therefore stand to gain from the sector, considering the 'ready-market' available and the existence of large outcrops of granite especially in Chiana in the Kassean-Nankana West District and its environs. Feasibility studies have also shown that there are large deposits of manganese in areas between Nangodi and Duusi and the north-west of Pwalugu all in the Talensi-Nabdam District of the Region. No exploitation of this mineral has been carried out yet. Investors could, therefore, take advantage of this. There is a large prospect in the Region for investors wishing to go into brick and tile production because of the availability of large deposits of clay of various types. Areas with clay deposits include Gambibgo, Zanlerigu, Yikini and Kalbeo. Burnt bricks produced from clay deposits can be used in the development of cheaper housing, which is in line with the Government's policy of developing the rural areas using local resources. Thus, this should be an incentive to potential investors.

Tourists' Attractions of the Region The Region is not left out when it comes to sites and scenes of tourist interest. They are numerous tourist attractions in the Region, notable among them are the Paga Crocodile Pond; the Bolgatanga Museum which houses objects of historical importance of the Region and the Kulungugu Bomb Site, where an attempt was made on the life of Ghana's First President, Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah. Others are the three point elevation at Pusiga, where the tip of the boundary demarcation between the three sister countries of Ghana, Burkina Faso and Togo converge, the Tongo Hills and the Navrongo Cathedral with its eloquent constructional and decorated designs which portray the beauty in the art of the people.

The archaeological treasures of the River Sissili Basin; the Whistling and Drumming Rocks at Pwalugu in Talensi-Nabdam District and Chiana in the Kassena Nanakana West; the Awologo-Tango at Bongo; Wall decoration at Tilli and Kandiga; famous shrines and caves also constitute places of culture and tourists' attractions.

Festivals such as the Feok, Samapiid, Azambene, Gologo, and Fowl are celebrated by the people of Builsa; Bawku Municipal; Bongo; Bolgatanga-Tongo and Kassena-Nankana. These draw a lot of tourists to the Region. Sandema in the Builsa District is famous as the site where Builsa warriors captured and killed the slave murders, Samori and Babatu, to mark the end of the slave trade in the Northern part of Ghana. Despite these potentials, the Region lacks the necessary infrastructure and other services to support and market it. The Region would require massive investment to develop these potentials and to create jobs. As a known fact, small-scale industries constitute the most important industries in the Region. An investment in this sector especially in basketry, leather works and smock weaving would expand production to meet the growing demand for these crafts outside the country. Markets abound for these crafts in countries such as Britain, Germany and the USA. Already, these constitute a large proportion of non-traditional exports.

Agriculture, hunting and forestry are the main economic activities in the Region. About 80 per cent of the economically active population engages in agriculture. The main crops include millet; guinea-corn; maize; groundnut; beans; sorghum and dry season tomatoes and onions.

Livestock and poultry production are also important. There are two main irrigation projects, the Vea Project in Bolgatanga covering 850 hectares and the Tono Project in Navrongo covering 2,490 hectares. Altogether they provide employment to about 6,000 small-scale farmers. Other water-retaining structures (dams and dugouts) provide water for both domestic and agricultural purposes.

Existing Industries

There are three industries including cotton ginnery at Pusu-Namongo (near Bolgatanga); Tomato Canning Factory at Pwalugu, which is not fully functioning, the defunct Meat Processing Factory (GIHOC) at Zuarungu and the defunct Rice Mills at Bolgatanga.

The two forms of extractive activities in the Region are mining and quarrying. While the quarrying industry is being actively exploited the same cannot be said about the mining industry. There are two commercial quarries in the Region namely, the Upper Quarry Limited located at Pwalugu on the Bolgatanga-Tamale road and the Granites and Marbles Company Limited located in Tongo. The former produces granite chippings for the construction industry while the latter cuts rocks in the form of bricks for export. These are polished and used in the cladding of commercial buildings and monuments.

The gold mining industry is not very developed in the Region. Gold was mined during the Colonial Administration around Nangodi, about 24 kms from Bolgatanga on the Bolgatanga-Bawku road. Mining activities, however, stopped in 1930. Lately, small-scale gold mining, popularly known as "galamsey" (gather and sell) or "alakpiri" has become rampant in the area of Tongo, Sheaga, Duusi, Pelengu and other small villages. This gives an indication of the existence of gold deposits in viable quantities.

Crafts, varied as they are, include, pottery, basketry and smock weaving which is done at areas like Namoo, Zokko, Navrongo and Paga. Leatherworks are carried out at areas around Bolgatanga and the surrounding villages. Straw works are also concentrated around Bolgatanga. One distinct feature of these cottage industries is that they are basically labour intensive and rely mostly on traditional talent and skills.

In spite of all these potentials in the Region, it is still viewed as one of the most deprived areas where its people live in misery because the people in the area have not been able to exploit or showcase these potentials to the outside world.

It is hoped that the celebration of the event would afford a greater opportunity for the people in the Region to write their own story and paint the true picture of the Region. This would not only demystify the negative perceptions that outsiders have about the Region, but would also attract qualified professionals and investors to the Region to propel its development efforts. It is very essential to note that since the celebration is going to be purely home-grown regional affair and not Government Project, funding for the event would be generated from the people of the Region and perhaps a little support from others. There is therefore the need for people in the Region, especially the well to do, and those outside the Region to contribute to facilitate the celebrations.

There is no doubt marketing the potentials of the Region to the outside world through the celebration of the 50th anniversary would help to create employment and help to reduce poverty in the area. It would stop the youth in the area from trouping to Southern Ghana in such of non-existent jobs and returning home with infectious diseases.

Anticipated benefits Viewing the benefits that could be accrued from the celebration of the event, let all and sundry especially people from the Region contribute in diverse ways to ensure that it is celebrated in a grand style with pomp and pageantry. The Upper East Regional Minister, Mr Mark Woyongo has also been making appeals to the Corporate Ghana, especially those operating in the Region and indigenes of the area in the Diaspora to help to make the celebration a success. Traditional Authorities through the Regional House of Chiefs must see the celebration of the event as very important that could bring significant development to the area and as custodians of the cultural heritage of the people contribute towards the celebrations. Members of Parliament (MPs) from the Region have a crucial role to play by contributing towards the celebrations. There is the need for these political figures to forget about their political differences and forge together by contributing their quota for the successful celebration of the occasion. 27 April 10