Alhaji Mohammed Limuna Muniru, Northern Regional Minister, has expressed regret that education in the north was fast eluding the people and that something drastic must be done to reverse the situation.

He said the people of the area lack almost everything but education, which was the precious commodity to propel its development, but observed that the recent performances of students in the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) had proven negative, an indication of excruciating poverty looming ahead.

Alhaji Muniru raised this concern in Tamale on Friday, when he paid a familiarization visit to the Metropolitan Catholic Archbishop of Tamale, Most Reverend Philip Naameh to solicit assistance in the running of his administration.

The Minister had made similar visits to Islamic Religious leaders in the metropolis and some chiefs in the past few days.

Alhaji Muniru said there are several challenges currently confronting the region and appealed to the various stakeholders, including religious leaders, to complement the role of the government to help resolve most of the problems, including the poor performances in the BECE.

He said his administration sees education as one of the major priorities and would resource it to halt the declining BECE results and restore the past glories of education in the north.

Ahaji Muniru said the role of the Church in transforming society through religious teachings and prayers were very important since government was equally committed in promoting the welfare of society and appealed to the Church to assist in the peace efforts in the region.

He said “peace was an essential commodity that could not be bought in the open market” but needs a concerted effort and the assistance of religious leaders through spiritual guidance to achieve that.

Most Reverend Philip Naameh assured the Minister of the readiness of the Catholic Church to collaborate in whatever capacity it could, including spiritual guidance to achieve peace in the area.

The Metropolitan Catholic Archbishop said “ am shocked to see Tamale, which used to be one of the most peaceful cities in the 80s, suddenly becoming a conflict zones in the country,” adding that, “We can still transform Tamale to its previous peaceful nature”.