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A civil society organization, Northern Patriots in Research and Advocacy (NORPRA), has expressed concern about the absence of the Upper East Regional Minister, Mr. James Z. Tiiga, from post. A release signed by Mr Bismark Ayorogo Adongo, President of NOPRA and copied to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Bolgatanga, noted that after being nominated by President Mahama and approved by Parliament, the appointee took over the administration of the region from his predecessor, Dr. Nsoh Avea, in July 2014, but had since left the Region. �It is recalled that the Regional Minister took over the governance of the region from the former regional minister Dr. Avea in July, 2014 and without introducing himself to the chiefs and people of the region as always demanded by custom and providing the needed leadership for an accelerated development of the Upper East Region, he vanished into thin air for about four months now, leaving the poor region to its fate�, the release stated. It said the Minister�s behaviour only served to reinforce the speculation of citizens of the Upper East that he had very little commitment in leading his people out of poverty and underdevelopment. It stated that even though the 1992 Constitution enjoined the government to appoint Deputy Regional Ministers, the current case in the Upper East Region, where the Deputy Regional Minister did not have the mandate to function as a Regional Minister and lead the Region�s development in the absence of the substantive Minister, provided a good platform for a national debate on the relevance of the Deputy Regional Ministerial position in the country�s governance structure. While requesting that the President should ensure the Regional Minister reported immediately to assume duty, NOPRA also called on residents of the Region to participate in a �Search Walk� scheduled to take place in the area on November 14, 2014, to establish the whereabouts of the Regional Minister. The �Search Walk�, the statement said, was also aimed at prompting government to ensure that the right choices are made to get leaders with strong commitment and determination to spearhead the Region�s development effort.