A nine-member Board of Directors of the Savannah Accelerated Development Authority (SADA) has been inaugurated by President Mills at the Castle, Osu in Accra. SADA is a government policy initiative aimed at addressing the development gap that exists between Northern and Southern Ghana. The newly inaugurated board is tasked to accelerate the socio-economic development of the Savannah belt through strategic investment in resource development. It envisions a “Forested North” by 2030 where agricultural production is modernised and oriented towards a larger market. The SADA initiative has six unique pillars which include the following: development of a comprehensive regional & ecological strategy; a model for the modernisation of agriculture; development of strategic infrastructure; strong linkage between Northern Savannah and the Sahelian countries; a vigorous private sector initiative that strengthens existing private operators; and active support for Civil Society Organizations and NGOs. Speaking at the inauguration, Vice President John Dramani Mahama explained that they were unsure as to the amount of money that should be dedicated to SADA which accounted for the discrepancies in the budgetary allocation for SADA. According to Citi News correspondent Richard Mensah, John Mahama promised the Board that a stakeholders forum would be held in January to discuss the actual amount which would enable SADA operate after it is approved by Parliament. Chairman of the board, Alhaji Alhassan Andani in an interview with Citi News moments after his inauguration said he is convinced that government’s commitments towards SADA will help the Board achieve its aim. “I am convinced, SADA is established by law, it is an accelerated development program and the government is committed to it. Whatever the government has promised in terms of resources to ensure that SADA operates I am sure will be provided”. The Government is to spend GH¢200 million over a five year period to implement the Savannah Accelerated Development Authority. Source: Citi FM