Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has assured the chiefs and people of the Savannah Region of an accelerated pace of development.

The President said his government has put in place measures to address the infrastructural deficits confronting the Region.

The new Savannah Region is battling challenges such as lack of adequate water and electricity supply, inadequate educational facilities, amongst others but President Akufo-Addo has promised, “I am coming to address the infrastructural deficits for the people of Gonjaland”.

Speaking at Damongo, at a durbar organized by the Overlord of Gonja, the Yagbonwura, Tutumba Boresa Sulemana Jakpa, on Sunday, 19th May, 2019, the President stated that “the future is going to be different.”

He continued, “Savannah is going to catch up with all the other regions of Ghana and go forward. This is the assurance I want to give to the Yagbonwura and the people of Savannah.”

After presenting eight vehicles, comprising three Nissan Patrol SUVs and five pickup vehicles, President Akufo-Addo told the Yagbonwura that civil service staff such as the Regional Coordinating Director, Regional Economic Planning Officer, Regional Agricultural Director, Regional Fire Commander, Regional Electoral Officer, Regional Human Resource Manager, Regional Internal Auditor, Regional Information Officer, Regional Commission on Culture Officer, Regional Land Use and Spatial Planning Officer, are all here at Dambai and have already been posted to the Savannah Region, and have started work. 

He further reiterated his commitment towards the equitable distribution of infrastructural facilities in all parts of the Savannah Region, explaining that not all of the regional infrastructural projects will be located in Damongo.

Touching on the exploitation of hydrocarbon resources in the Voltaian Basin, a matter of concern for the Yagbonwura, the President added that “the exploration and management of the hydrocarbon resources in the Voltaian basin will be strictly adhered to. We will make sure that it is well managed.”

In addressing issues of water supply in Damongo, President Akufo-Addo had good news for the Yagbonwura and the people of Gonjaland. 

“I am anticipating that on Thursday (23rd May 2019), the Memorandum for approval for the initiation of the Damongo Water Supply project will be before the Cabinet. So, this very year, you will see the project beginning. I am going to take a very personal interest in the project”, the President said, to a rapturous response from the gathering.

President Akufo-Addo commended the Overlord of Gonjaland for the establishment of a committee of chiefs to meditate on chieftaincy disputes in the Savannah Region.

The Committee, which is chaired by the Deputy Chief of Staff, Samuel Abu Jinapor, the President assured, will have the full support of the government.

Later in the day, President Akufo-Ado inspected ongoing works on the Yapei Water Extension Project and addressed a durbar of the Chiefs and people of Yapei.