Tamale, May 6, GNA - The Northern Regional Minister, Mr Abubakar Saddique Boniface on Thursday, urged heads of department to assist him to effectively administer the region in a manner that would meet the development aspirations of the people.

He said: "I promise you an open administration and would want to seek your advice so that collectively we can accelerate the development of the region".

"As you are aware, Tamale, the capital of the Northern Region, is the fastest growing town in West Africa, but due to conflicts, investors are scared away and we need to create a new window for the region to realise its natural and human resource for development." Mr Boniface was speaking during his first official interaction with the heads.

He called on them to forge a unity of purpose irrespective of their political and social leanings to facilitate development and help reconcile factions in the Dagbon chieftaincy crisis. "Without peace our efforts at development will be fruitless," he said. He urged the Heads to be disciplined, hardworking and punctual to work, adding "you should desist from working lotto in the offices during working hours, the misuse of official vehicles, as well as alcohol abuse since these contribute to low productivity".

During an open forum, Dr Elias Sory, Regional Director of Health Service, announced that a World Health Organisation report indicated that Ghana has now overtaken the Sudan as the first most guinea worm endemic country in the world.

He attributed this development to the lingering conflict situations in the region.

Dr Sory appealed to the Regional Coordinating Council to ensure regular interaction with heads of department to among other things analyse conflict situations in the area and generate ideas to address them.

He tasked the RCC to come out with targets in the areas of health, education and agriculture, noting that the strengthening of these sectors would enhance the overall development of the people. Dr Sory urged Northerners to come together and address issues about the area, saying: " The solution to issues about the North is within us and not outsiders".