The Northern Regional Minister designate, Alhaji Abubakar Boniface Sadiiq has attributed the lack of police stations at conflict-prone suburbs of the Tamale metropolis to the inability of security agencies to rapidly respond to conflicts in the area. He was answering questions on what concrete steps he will take to stem conflict in the Tamale metropolis, when he was being vetted by the Appointment Committee of Parliament yesterday.

Tamale metropolis has gone through several conflicts in recent times, some of which resulted in the death of some people. Conflict resolution experts have called for prominent among other things, the doting of police stations in conflict-prone suburbs in the metropolis. Alhaji Boniface pledged to collaborate with the Ministry of the Interior to put up more police stations in the area and equip the personnel with up-to-date equipment and infrastructu! re. Alhaji Sadiiq outlined the major areas he will focus on, if given the nod by the committee to serve the people of the region, in order to reduce poverty in the area. He mentioned areas like health, education, demography, sanitation, water, socio-cultural beliefs, conflicts as well as Information and Communication Technology.

The Northern Regional Minister designate also assured to promote tourism, but said it can not be achieved without peace. He pledged to work with all stakeholders in spite of their political or ethnic affiliation to bring about lasting peace in the region. Other nominated regional Ministers who appeared before the parliamentary select committee included Upper West, Ambrose Derry, Volta, Kofi Dzamesi, Greter Accra, Sheikh I.C. Quaye. The rest were Fisheries, Mrs Gladys Asmah as well as Trade and Industry, Alan Kyeremateng.