Use alternative dispute resolution-Northerners advised

Takoradi, May 13, GNA- Alhaji A. Adams, Administrative Manager of the Timber Industry Development Division (TIDD) on Saturday called on traditional chiefs, politicians, and the youth to adopt and use alternative dispute resolution (ADR) mechanisms in resolving all conflicts and misunderstanding.

He said the ADR methods had proved to be effective and more lasting in resolving inter and intra ethic and religious conflicts. Mr. Adams made the call at the 29th anniversary celebration of the Northern Students Union of the Takoradi Polytechnic.

It was on the theme: "Peace and Unity for Accelerated Educational Development and Growth in Northern Ghana".

Mr. Adams stressed that policy makers should not use the conflicts as an excuse to deny the people of Northern Ghana development projects. He suggested that government should establish regional and district peace councils and reconciliation committees to handle disputes and conflicts.

Mr. Adams said, Northern, Upper East and Upper West regions account for 40 percent of Ghana's land area but has a 20 percent of the population.

He said Northern Ghana abounds in large tracts of land for the production of food and cash crops but the continual adoption of subsistence farming, the lack of farming inputs and industries had worsened the living conditions of the people.

He said the introduction of the school feeding programme, capitation grant and free bus service for school children had increased enrolment.

Mr. Adams therefore called on traditional leaders to complement the efforts of government by encouraging and ensuring that all children of school-going age are in school. He said the Northern Region has several potentials, which could be tapped for national development.

Mr. Adams said the arable lands, livestock and meat production could be catalysts for development but the continual reliance on rain-fed agriculture has negative effects on the people. "There is the need to use large scale irrigation methods to improve their agricultural activities," he added. Mr. Adams urged the chiefs to design strategies that would entice and attract domestic and foreign investors to invest in large scale production of groundnuts, soybeans, maize and mango, among others. He said the annual festivals should not only promote tourism but should also assemble all indigenes domiciled in other parts of the country to come home and assist in developing the area. Mr. Adams said though the challenges facing the north are enormous, all efforts must be made through the mobilization of the youth and well-to do indigenes to use their resources and education to assist reduce poverty in the area.

Mr. Ajene Solomon Ayamgah, President of the union said the Northern regions could not achieve any meaningful development if there was no peace and therefore urged all to assist in promoting peace in the area. He said many innocent people, including women and children suffer anytime there were conflicts and this also retarded the development of the area.

Mr. Charles Adam, an agriculturalists advised the youth to develop keen interest in the agricultural sector and use their skills to transform the north.

He reminded them that modern day agriculture needed machinery and other sophisticated tools to increase output and efforts must be made to assist in that direction. Mr. Adam urged the students to take their education seriously and serve as role models for their colleagues and promote dialogue and alternative dispute resolution methods in all their activities. 13 May 07