Bolgatanga, March 7, GNA- Mr. Mark Woyongo, Upper East Regional Minister, has stated that the Government would soon address the 'Bawku Conflict' and other pockets of conflicts in the Region with some pragmatic measures.

Mr. Woyongo announced this when he addressed the 53rd Independence Day Celebration in Bolgatanga.

He explained that although the causes of the Bawku Conflict may be well known, poverty and unemployment could be remote causes. He emphasized that the Government was determined to create more job opportunities in the Region to help reduce the poverty level. He explained that though poverty had been identified as the major enemy of the Region, violent conflicts and chieftaincy disputes in some parts of the Region, especially Bawku had worsened the situation.

"I wish to assure you that my administration will be geared towards alleviating the poverty situation in the Region through the creation of employment opportunities which will engage the boundless energies of the teeming youth in active economic ventures all year round," he stressed. Mr Woyongo said the Government was creating job avenues through a three pronged approach: by expanding the service industry; improving and expanding the manufacturing sector; and the agro-industry, adding that, "our goal as a Government is to strengthen Ghana's position as a magnet for investment in productive ventures to create jobs for our youth."

The Regional Minister, however, pointed out that there could not be any meaningful development without peace saying the existing conflicts were undermining development because they scared off potential investors. He, therefore, appealed to chiefs, opinion leaders and all well meaning citizens in the region to support the Government to achieve its objective of maintaining peace in Bawku and other conflict parts of the Region. The Acting Regional Director of Education, Mrs. Agnes Atagabe said Government had pledged to improve the conditions of teachers in the areas of housing, salaries, allowances, and incentive packages for rural teachers by the end of the year.

She indicated that the Government had also pledged to immediately improve upon infrastructure and reactivate Science Resource Centres and appealed to teachers in the Region to continue to give of their best to improve upon the academic standards of schools.