DAWUNI LAUDS ETHNIC GROUPS FOR EXHIBITING MATURITY (PAGE 17)

Story: Zakaria Alhassan, Zabzugu

THE Presiding Member of the Zabzugu/Tatale District Assembly, Mr Atta Abebe Dawuni, has lauded the various ethnic groups in the area for exhibiting a high sense of maturity and understanding which has resulted in the prevailing peace and harmony among the people in the district over the years.
He said such an exemplary bond had not only ensured effective collaboration between the people and the assembly, but had also contributed significantly to the accelerated development of the district, which is one of the most deprived in the country.
‘‘I would also like to commend the immediate past District Chief Executive, Alhaji Yakubu Bukari, for his role in strengthening unity among the three major ethnic groups: Dagombas, Baasares and Konkombas, that enabled us to realise some of our development agenda’’, Mr Dawuni added.
The presiding member was speaking at the third ordinary meeting of the district assembly at Zabzugu.
He however entreated the people not to be complacent over their achievements but to ensure that whatever gains they had chalked up was sustained, particularly during this election year.
‘‘As we approach the December general election, let us agree to disagree; we should not quarrel over petty political differences. We should also do our best to conscientise our people not to allow politicians to divide their ranks for their selfish interests,’’ Mr Dawuni further admonished.
On projects, the Presiding Member advised the people not to be passive observers but to get actively involved in matters that would improve their well-being.
‘‘Some of the development projects in our electoral areas were approved by honourable members and there is the need for us to play effective supervisory roles as assembly members to ensure that all such projects in our localities are done to specification’’, he said.
Mr Dawuni further reminded the people to complement the government’s efforts by honouring their respective tax obligations, ‘‘since locally generated revenue is still relevant to the decentralisation process and must, therefore, not be sacrificed for the assembly’s common fund’’.
On education, he expressed concern over the lack of teachers, especially professional ones, in some parts of the district which, he said was affecting quality teaching and learning, with the resultant poor performance at those areas.
The Northern Regional Minister, Alhjai Mustapha Ali Idris, also expressed appreciation to the chiefs and people and the various security agencies in the district for always resorting to dialogue to settle their differences on land and chieftaincy issues.
Alhaji Idris, who has been acting as the Chief Executive for the area since the removal of the former, mentioned various projects that were being undertaken by government and other development partners.
For instance, he disclosed that 15 communities in the district had been selected to benefit from a project on animal traction and small ruminants to the tune of GH¢ 10, 000 to help reduce poverty through sustained food security at rural areas.
The minister added that work on the first phase of the Zabzugu Hospital project had commenced and, therefore, asked the people to register with the National Health Insurance Scheme to enable them benefit from free medical care upon the completion of the work.