Leaders and representatives from the five regions of northern Ghana have gathered at the Northern People’s Conference to reaffirm their commitment to the area’s socio-economic advancement.

The assembly, which included chiefs, kings, political leaders, senior civil servants, and development partners, emphasized the importance of uniting beyond partisan politics to address the region’s persistent challenges.

A statement seen by the Ghana News Agency on the Facebook page of Parliament said on Monday.

It said the Majority Leader and National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament (MP) for Bawku, Mr. Mahama Ayariga, highlighted the recent formation of the Northern Caucus in Parliament, comprising 57 members from the five northern regions.

“The caucus’s primary goal is to set aside political differences and collaboratively pursue the development of the region,” it said.

The statement noted that Mr. Ayariga stressed the collective responsibility of leaders to improve living conditions, leverage their diverse experiences, and lobby for fair allocation of national resources.

“We must partner with development agencies and the private sector to implement strategic projects that would accelerate economic growth,” it stated.

The statement noted that the region had a historical legacy of development efforts, citing Dr. Kwame Nkrumah’s seven-year development plan in 1963 and recent initiatives like former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s district factory plan and the construction of a multipurpose dam at Pwalugu.

It said Mr. Ayariga urged stakeholders to seize the opportunity presented by the last election, which produced a northern president, to effect meaningful change through coordinated efforts.

“Let us translate discussions into actionable plans with clear timelines, targets, and monitoring mechanisms,” it quoted Mr. Ayariga as saying.

It further called for a united approach that included mobilizing resources, engaging diaspora expertise, and avoiding another “talk shop.”

The statement explained that the conference was seen as a pivotal moment to catalyze tangible development initiatives and ensure that the northern people realized their potential for a brighter future.

“We must work together to achieve our goals. Let us ensure that our discussions yield concrete results and bring about meaningful change to the lives of our people,” it noted.