Tongo(UER), June 21, GNA - World Vision International (WVI) is organising a three-day workshop on new Area Development Programme (ADP) for Talensi/Nab-Dam District in the Upper East Region at Tongo. The programme is to solicit inputs on developmental issues mainly in education and health, which would be finalised into a working document for implementation in the district.

Mr Alidu Dason, Associate Director in charge of the Northern Sector Operation of WVI, speaking on behalf of Mr Sam Asare, National Director of WVI, announced that execution of the programme in the district was expected to last between 10 to 15 years.

He said World Vision had so far executed 26 area development programmes in most deprived districts of southern, central and northern parts of the country.

Mr Dason said a similar programme within Bongo district in the region was being supported by Switzerland and Australian government would support the Tongo programme.

Mr Dason called on the assembly, departmental heads, NGOs, traditional authorities and other stakeholders to contribute in diverse ways to ensure success of the programme in the district. Mrs Benedicta Pealore, Bongo ADP Manager, highlighting some activities of World Vision since its inception in Ghana in 1979, said it begun with Child Care, Family Development Project, and Community Development Projects in 1981.

"An international partnership of Christians, World Vision's mission is to follow the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ in working with the poor and oppressed to promote human transformation, seek justice and bear witness to the good news of the kingdom of God," she said. Mrs Pealore explained that World Vision pursued its mission by assisting people afflicted by conflicts or disaster, helping to change unjust structures affecting the poor, partner with churches to contribute to spiritual and social transformation of people, witnessing to Jesus Christ by life, deeds, words and signs that encouraged people to respond to the gospel.

Mr Boniface Gambila, Upper East Regional Minister, was optimistic that the programme would revolve around children's education and their welfare, and therefore, urged parents to supervise the enrolment and attendance of their children in school.

He pointed out that Government had shown its commitment to education by introducing the Capitation Grant to public schools therefore, parents had no excuse not to send their children to school. Mr Gambila appealed to parents and communities to ensure that their children derived much results from World Vision's intervention.

Mr Sebastian Tibil Bisnab, Talensi/Nab-Dam District Chief Executive, commended World Vision for establishing the programme in the district.

He noted that with similar efforts from other development partners it could facilitate socio-economic development in the district that lagged behind other areas in the region in terms of development.