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The Northern Regional Coordinating Council, with the Savannah Accelerated Development Authority (SADA) is discussing ways to effectively resettle citizens affected by the Old Fadama demolition exercise, who are returning to the Region.

Alhaji Limuna Mohammed-Muniru, the Northern Regional Minister, who announced this, said this would ensure that those returning would engage in productive ventures to earn decent livelihoods so as not to return to Accra in search of non-existent jobs.

He told journalists after interacting with some of the citizens, who returned to Tamale on Monday.

The Government in collaboration with SADA gave each of the 356 returnees GHc 100.00 to cater for their transport fares to their various destinations in Upper East Region and parts of the Northern Region.

This batch of returnees was transported to Tamale by the efforts of Northern Youth for Peace and Community Development, a non-governmental organisation.

He said the Regional Coordinating Council and SADA were considering engaging some of the returnees in the Youth in Agriculture project, and supporting them with the necessary facilities to earn a living.

He said the Regional Coordinating Council was also in talks with the Micro and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC) to assist others who acquired self-employable skills, such as sewing, and carpentry, to set up their own business.

Dr Emmanuel Apiri Atariwini, the Director of Programmes of SADA, said it was necessary to assist the returnees to start meaningful ventures to enable them to cater for their needs.

The returnees were residents of Old Fadama, an illegal settlement in Accra, whose structures were being demolished by the Accra Metropolitan Assembly to improve the flow of water in the Korle Lagoon in Accra to avoid flooding in the city.