*The irony of a reality Pt. 1 Vol. 1 (why must the north (the three northern regions) be said to be poor?)*

Irony, irony. It pervades all facets of our human existence especially, the Ghanaian community. We embark on activities, initiatives and other pressing life situations very expectant of an actual result which in no way must back-fire due to the massive inputs made, but in the long run, the unexpected happens, it fails. Understanding such happenings becomes simply unfathomable. The ultimate and obvious question one and all seems to ask is, what exactly went wrong? This question have been asked opinion leaders, government appointees, chief executives and people that matter in various settings who have not but woefully failed their dependents irrespective of the hope they had in them

This write up and other ones that would subsequently follow aims at bringing on board intellectual minds across board to critically analyze various everyday asked questions like the one in perspective now (why must the north be said to be poor?) with the view of actualizing and possibly eradicating hindrances to the numerous life expectations that have bedeviled man’s existence.

“Out of the abundance of the heart, speaketh the mouth” says the holy book. My heart can no longer play gallery to the level of skepticism that I find myself immersed in. This skepticism of a sort lingers as a result of the doubt I have concerning the underdevelopment of the northern part of the country. This for a fact has necessitated this feature (write up) which would herald an intellectual discourse to ascertain the fact for myself.

I do not bring up this topic for discussion for any hidden intentions to either mock or do anything mischievous that might be seen as an attempt to smear dirt on the integrity of comrades from the north. But the truth must be told, this issue have been argued one way or the other in many other quarters but for unknown reasons, such discussion seems to persist.

The unfortunate of all is, politicians who have been entrusted all the necessities to breached the gap if at all any gap of a sort exists between the north and the south, when out of government really knows the magic to eradicating such perceived problems, but, when in government, they have all the excuses there is to be given for their failures to nip such perceived problems facing the north in the bud. Do get confuse with my usage of the word “perceived”, I do so because that shouldn’t have been the reality. During electioneering periods, they conspicuously put together schemes aimed at getting the regions’ support to help them attain their one-touch victories.

My question still stands, is the north as we are told really underdeveloped? If so whose fault is it? If it is as truly underdeveloped as we are always told, then to me it is purely an irony of the existing reality. I have been very fortunate to through-out my academic, religious, social, and economic life come across colleagues who hail from the north. They are people who are very hard working and care not the manner of job you give them, they would do it to their utmost best. Socially, they are very open and amiable. They care for all manner of people and if it comes to religious matters, some are as devout as you can imagine.

Intellectually, the region is simply second to none. Talk of the Naa Gbewa’s, the Late President Hilla Liman, Hon Bewumia, Haruna Indrusu (Minister of Trade and Industry), Justice Raymond Atuguba, the Jinapor’s, the CEO of Rlg communications, Mr. Raymond Agambire, Alhaji Mohammed Mumuni, Prof Nabila, Benjamin Kumbour, Hon. Nitiwul (Deputy Minority leader in Parliament), Manasseh Azuri, Anas Aremyaw Anas, Mahama Ayariga (Minister of information and media relations), Martin Amidu, Abedi Pele the soccer maestro, Hamza Mohammed, Dr. Ibn Chambas,, Rashid Pelpuo(Hon),Agban Babin(Hon), The President, John Dramani Mahama the list definitely would continue. Why all these avalanche of great minds and personalities, yet the problems of this fortunate region continues to compound each passing day?

Is it true that after achieving their political ambitions, the politicians that seem to have dominated the list of the worthy in the region go on self-impose exile into the big cities until it due for another elections? How then do they feel and experience the problems confronting the region?

Why must a region that is arguably endowed with agricultural lands and labor, and for a fact have won for itself the accolade, the food basket be said to be walloping in hunger?

Why must a region that is home to the chairman of the House of Chiefs be immersed in endless issues of chieftaincy disputes?

Why must a region that to me houses only amiable individuals be always known for the wrong reason? Conflict. Are these orchestrations backed by someone who aims at achieving a certain parochial interest?

Why must a region whose women indisputably are known for their hard work and their commitment to anything work, travail the streets of the big cities head pottering only to live hand to mouth. Become as it where, victims of circumstances. Whose unfortunate situation is only exploited by politicians for their mission of winning political office. This should not be taken for a mere allegation, for we were all privy to such happenings during the immediate past general elections. They were promised heavens, but now, they live in sufferings tantamount to hell.

Why is a region that is so much endowed be that deprived to the bone? Have the “haves” done nothing to at least if not wholly alleviate the plights of the “have nots”? If so, could they be taken as selfish people, individualistic or what?

I entreat you take no offence for the numerous questions asked so far, but it is just to show my frustrations at such happenings. I see no reason why such a region endowed with much be described as Underdeveloped. Your answers and views are welcome, it is time we see a forwarding moving north…than what persists now.

*AKAHO FELIX DZIDULA

GHANA INSTITUTE OF JOURNALISM*