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Madam Paulina Patience Abayage, the Upper East Regional Minister, on Thursday called on the media and other stakeholders to support the development drive in the Region and reduce poverty.

“I promise to do anything within my power to build on the fortunes of this Region and improve upon what my predecessors have done.

“I will put my best foot forward, I will serve this Region with passion, selflessness and total commitment and I call on you the media to assist me achieve this vision,” the Regional Minister said.

Madam Abayage made the pledge during an interaction with journalists in the Upper East Region. The meeting, which took place in Bolgatanga, was to offer the Regional Minister the opportunity to build acquaintances with the media and get to know how they could assist her execute development projects to improve livelihoods in the Region.

“I know every part of this Region because I am from this Region. I know the challenges confronting this Region, the nature of our roads, the poverty level in the Region and I know the potentials of this Region that when explored would bring development and improvement in the lives of the people.”

She said the Region had the potential of becoming the best destination for investment in the country and the role of the media in that cause could not be under estimated.

The Regional Minister explained that the many social interventions including the Free education, the One Village One Dam policy among others being implemented by the government benefited the north more than the south and “I am here to support the President roll out these policies to improve lives.”

She said there had been proposals from Professor David Millar, the President of Millar Open University and Chinese Company to revamp the Pwalugu Tomatoes and Zuarungu Meat Factories, to process not only tomatoes but venture into the processing of vegetables as well and produce quality meat to be used locally and sold internationally.

It would be good to revamp the factories, to create employment and her predecessor had set up a committee to look into the proposals, she said.