NDA Partners Star Ghana to Promote Peace, Security in Northern Ghana
The Northern Development Authority (NDA) in partnership with STAR-Ghana Foundation, the National Peace Council, and the Northern Development Forum have held a regional dialogue in Tamale on conflict, security and stability in Northern Ghana.

The dialogue which formed part of the Conflict, Security and Stability Fund (CSSF) in Northern Ghana project was on the theme; Peace, Security and Stability for Sustainable Development of Northern Ghana.

In his address, Dr Alhassan Sulemana Anamzoya, Chief Executive of the Northern Development Authority (NDA) said the theme of the dialogue reflects the NDA’s mission to catalyze the transformation of the Northern Savannah Ecological Zone (NSEZ) through citizens’ mobilization; strategic Planning; successful coordination, collaboration and facilitation (CCF), for effective public sector delivery and private sector investment.

He emphasized the need for sustained peace in the area to facilitate its development agenda."A peaceful and generally productive Northern Ghana will make it possible for the government to provide a good life for all Ghanaians."

Dr Anamzoya said, "It is noteworthy that we cannot build Northern Ghana without a strong focus on a peaceful, just and inclusive society as there can be no peace without sustainable development and no sustainable development without peace."

Dr Anamzoya underscored that "Peace, which is the unmovable foundation for a just and prosperous society, cannot be created only by government or the security services. It is the collective responsibility of all and sundry."

He spoke about some of the causes of conflicts in the northern part of the country, saying "Decades of neglect by successive governments has resulted in increased inequalities; high levels of poverty and unemployment; high rates of illiteracy, amongst others. These development challenges and inequalities have often translated into protracted conflicts and insecurity."

He, therefore, stressed that "Nobody can bring peace to us. And nobody can bring development to us. We have to do it for ourselves. We have to lead the way and show commitment. We can do it. And the time to do it is now."

Dr Anamzoya said, "The development of the Northern Savannah Ecological Zone (NSEZ) is, therefore, a national prerogative and an increasingly urgent one. Not only will it contribute immensely to the peace and security of Ghana, but it will also create opportunities for young people to aspire to better things and direct their energies productively rather than channelling them into destructive and violent agenda."

He added that "That is why the government of President Nana Akufo-Addo, upon assuming office in 2017, worked to reposition and retool the NDA to achieve its vision of “a transformed NSEZ; a place of opportunity and free from poverty."

He said, "…the successful resolution of the long protracted Dagbon chieftaincy conflict has brought peace, stability and development in Dagbon and the entire NSEZ."

DrAnamzoya called on the security agencies and the courts "to let perpetrators of heinous activities that threaten the peace of Northern Ghana face the full rigours of the law."

He gave assurance and said, "NDA, we see this initiative as a good opportunity to create socially cohesive societies within which the NDA can implement our programmes and policies to achieve a prosperous, equitable and resilient Northern Ghana."

The dialogue in Tamale brought together various stakeholders to diagnose the drivers of conflict and insecurity in the northern part of the country and to explore strategies to tackle them.