Tamale, April 1, GNA - The Northern Easter School opened in Tamale on Saturday with a call on the country's leaders and Northern scholars to speak with one voice to redress the gap between the North and South. The school has also called for reconciliation, compromises and forgiveness among Northerners to ensure peace, unity and development to push the area forward.

The five-day school, organised by the Institute of Adult Education of the University of Ghana is on the theme: "Northern Ghana after Independence, Achievement Challenges and the Future."

It will discuss the state of the national economy, culture and development in Northern Ghana, agriculture, education and women contribution in Northern Ghana.

Alhaji Mustapha Ali Idris, Northern Regional Minister in a speech read on his behalf to open the School said, the Northern sector had progressed and developed a great deal after independence but could have done better if there were no conflict and violence.

He said the slow pace of development in the North was due to the unnecessary conflict that plagued the three regions and made solvable problems such as guinea worm to become chronic in many communities. Alhaji Idris stressed the need for peace and development to bring in the much needed investment.

He appealed to the sons and daughters of the Northern region to allow peace to prevail and celebrate the annual Damba festival with unity and reconciliation for the sake of the future of the children. Madam Francesca Issaka, Executive Director for the Centre for Sustainable Development Initiative, a Bolgatanga based Non Governmental Organsation commended the intervention of the GETFund, HIPC fund and the District Assembly Common Fund to initiate development projects in the North.

She said the gap between the North and the South was still a big challenge and stressed the need for Northerners to have the strong commitment to help develop their own communities.

Ms. Issaka said apart from climatic conditions that could not be changed to have positive impact on agriculture in the North, government could reverse situation by establishing vigorous income generation activities for the people.

She appealed to farmers from the North to embrace the use of organic manure to produce their food product for export. She also called for a review and reduction of cultural practices and policies that discriminate against women and children in the North. Mr. Reuben Aggor, Acting Director of the Institute Adult Education, University of Ghana, announced that Workers' Colleges in Tamale, Wa and Boligatanga were being used for Distance Learning to improve the lot of workers.

He therefore appealed to the GETFund to assist in rehabilitating the Tamale and Takoradi Workers' Colleges to befit their status.