<<Print>>

The Deputy Northern Regional Minister-designate, Alhaji Alhassan Bashir Alhassan Fuseini, has described the conflict between the Abudus and Andanis that culminated in the death of the late Ya Na Yakubu Andani as regrettable, since it has sent the Dagbon people 50 years back. He said there was no way the Dagbon State would develop unless the two groups came together and buried their differences while the criminal aspect of the war was dealt with by the law enforcement agencies. Alhaji Fuseini made the call when he appeared before the Appointments Committee of Parliament t to be vetted for his new position. The nominee appeared before the committee with a large following from all parts of the Northern Region including chiefs, NDC supporters, Muslim leaders and family members. He said there was the need for the combination of effort from the totality of the Dagbon people and expressed the hope that the Abudus and the Andanis would reconcile. Alhaji Fuseini said he would support the Northern Regional Minister to work around the clock to ensure peaceful co-existence of all tribes in the region, saying �that is important for the development of the area�. According to the nominee, he has friends from both the Abudus and Andanis, adding that �the fact that nobody petitioned against my nomination and how both Abudus and Andanis are present here speaks volumes about how I have been accepted by the people�. Alhaji Fuseini said it was not through the fault of the people that the three regions of northern Ghana lagged behind in development, explaining that the country�s colonial rulers deliberately ensured that the areas were underdeveloped in order to get cheap labour to develop the southern part of the country. Touching on SADA, the nominee expressed thanks to the government for what he said was a laudable programme which would solve the economic problems of the people. On his working days with the Graphic Communications Group Limited, he spoke about what he claimed was a bizarre attempt by some management members to gag him because he spoke his mind on the Alhaji and Alhaji talk show on Radio Gold. He said even though he sought redress from the court, the case was still pending. MISS RACHEL FLORENCE APOH Drumming and dancing greeted the 32-year-old politician, nominated as Deputy Minister-designate for Gender, Children and Social Protection when she was discharged by the Appointments Committee. During her vetting, family members, church members, supporters of the NDC from her constituency and chiefs and queens from the Gomoa area filled the large auditorium. Even though clapping was not allowed, her supporters cheered and clapped when the committee completed vetting her. The young politician told the committee that she would assist the sector minister to work to eradicate child abuse in all its forms. She lamented the plight of head porters and called for sectoral collaboration to create jobs for the country�s teeming youth. She underscored the need for a conducive atmosphere to prevail to encourage both girls and boys to remain in school and become future leaders and role models. MRS BENITA SENA OKITY-DUAH The nominee for Deputy Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Mrs Okity-Duah, told the committee she was motivated to go into politics as a result of her zeal to be of help to society. The nominee, who is also the Member of Parliament for Ledzekuku in the Greater Accra Region, explained to the committee that the realignment of the ministry by President Mahama was to ensure that all Ghanaians including women and children were protected. She called for more education on the laws and rules governing adoptions, particularly of orphans. She observed that Ghanaians were only interested in the adoption of able orphans arguing that public education would ensure that disabled orphans were also adopted to be integrated into society. The nominee, a former Miss Ghana, was accompanied to the auditorium with all past and present Miss Ghana title holders, chiefs and people from the Teshie area, as well as family members.