Bolgatanga, Dec. 4, GNA - The Bolgatanga, Nagodi, Bongo and Tongo (BONABOTO) association in the Upper East Region, has described its relationship with political leaders in the region as not the best. The National Chairman of BONABOTO, Mr Mathew Adombire made the observation at the association's sixth national congress held under the theme: "Ensuring the Effective Harnessing of the Available Resources for

Development of the North: The Role of BONABOTO". He said the lack of good relationship with political leaders in the region was hampering development in the area and called for a redefinition of their relationship saying "it is through this that development in the area can be realized.

"BONABOTO will like to put on record its dissatisfaction with all political leaders of the north because of the manner in which they (political leaders) handled matters affecting the north."

Mr Adombire said political leaders had not demonstrated sufficiently their passion for development of the north and added that an example was their apparent lukewarm attitude to addressing the problem of the late release of the Government School Feeding Grant.

The congress was held to evolve effective methods of harnessing the available resources for the development in the area and strategies to address the development gap of the north and the BONABOTO area in particular.

It was also to critical look at the role of the Northern Development Fund, its possible governing structures and its sustainability challenges, as well as devising strategies to increase the BONABOTO Education Fund.

Mr Adombire stressed the need for BONABOTO to have a permanent Secretariat to be able to plan its activities effectively. He announced that the association would establish a burnt brick factory, hatchery for guinea fowl development, mango planting in BONABOTO area, acquisition of plot for BONABOTO hostel and the training of regional branches in resource mobilization.

The Upper East Regional Chairman of BONABOTO, Mr George Akudekiya urged members to continue to build the bond of family unity by always encouraging people from the area to constantly visit home. He also asked members to avoid partisanship. The Paramount Chief of Bongo, Naba Baba Salifu Alemyarum, urged members of the association to take issues concerning the association and the development of the north seriously. He appealed to Members of Parliament from the north to come together to build hostels on campuses in tertiary institutions to accommodate northern students. He appealed to BONABOTO citizens to initiate tree planting exercises in their communities to prevent desertification.