The Youth of the Kaleo Traditional Area in the Upper West Region has issued a statement commending government following the upgrading of the Kaleo area into the status of a district. According to the statement, the announcement came as a “piece of good news, which has been on the drawing board for several decades, traceable even to the first Republic” adding it “is a vindication of the dreams and aspirations of the long suffering people of the Kaleo Traditional area” The statement states “we, the youth of the Kaleo Traditional Area wish to express our sincere appreciation to the Government and by extension His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Ghana, Prof. John Evans Atta Mills for his wisdom in carving out Kaleo as a new District in the Upper West Region. This piece of good news, which has been on the drawing board for several decades, traceable even to the first Republic, is a vindication of the dreams and aspirations of the long suffering people of the Kaleo Traditional area”. It added, “our gratitude to the Mills Government cannot elude the Hon. Alban S.K Bagbin, MP for the Nadowli West Constituency, and also variously Chairman of the legal and Constitutional Committee in the first parliament in the fourth Republic, Board Chairman of Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority, Board Chairman of Ghana Airways, Minority Leader for eight years, Majority Leader for one year and now the Minister for Water Resources, Works and housing. This is a man whose vision and demeanor is carefully anchored on getting things done and yes, today, it gladdens our hearts that it has finally happened! We are indeed grateful. This again adds up to the plethora of achievements that the Minister and the government can graciously itemize within the short lifespan of the Mills’ administration”.

“Mr. Sam Garbah, the Administrator of the GetFund equally needs to be commended for his selfless efforts in teaming up with the MP and others in making our long awaited dream a reality. Our thanks also go to all individuals who overtly or covertly might have pulled a string or two, for the glory we share today in the spirit of democracy and good governance.

We are again exceptionally happy that the government of the day is not oblivious of the imperatives of decentralization which is why it has used the powers vested in it in article 254 of the 1992 constitution to let governance and power trickle down to people at the grassroots— in this case, Kaleo and its environs. The people of the newly created Kaleo District are more than elated and wishing the government well in its quest to roll out the better Ghana agenda” the statement further stated.

It concluded by stating “we are by this statement calling on all the citizens of the area to galvanize the necessary support for the infant district. The President’s action will be fruitless if we the sons and daughters of the area fail to rise up to the challenge and harness the needed resources for the growth of the new district. The district can boast of reasonable infrastructure—good road network interspersed with electricity, health centers, potable water, and all the mobile telephone networks in Ghana and tourist sites. This has provided the needed basic requirements for investment by corporate bodies to expand their businesses by making their brands a household name in the district. We wish once more to jointly and severally thank the government for the honour done us and pray for better times ahead”.