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SNV Netherlands Development Organization, a Dutch non-governmental organization, has launched an intervention programme to address the socio-economic challenges facing the Upper West region.g Promotion of quality education, access to quality health and creation of income generating activities in the shea industry for vulnerable groups would form the main focus of the organization's operations in the region. Mr. Amagoin Keita, Country Director SNV, said this known at Wa on Thursday at the launch of the programme in the region. The organisation's intervention would involve the provision of technical support to public and non-state actors engaged in education, health and the shea industry. Mr. Keita said the decision by his organization to open the office in the Upper West Region was not easy as a result of the global economic melt down that was affecting development aid worldwide However, as the region lagged behind the rest of the country in most indicators of socio-economic development such as education, literacy and social infrastructural facilities, SNV was compelled to open an office there to address these challenges. He called for the support and cooperation of all development stakeholders in the region particularly the chiefs and people. Mr. Kale Caesar, the Deputy Upper West Regional Minister who launched the programme, said the presence of the organization in the region would facilitate development. Mrs. Ernestina Sango, Acting Portfolio Coordinator of SNV said the organization planned to work in all the nine administrative districts in the region as well as the Bole-Bamboi and Sawla-Tuna-Kalba districts in the Northern Region. Rev Prof Abraham Berinyuu, Dean of Students of the University for Development Studies, said the development challenges facing northern Ghana required the concerted efforts of people in the three regions to solve irrespective of political differences.