Northern Patriots in Research and Advocacy (NORPRA) have expressed gratitude to President John Dramani Mahama for nominating Mr Mark Woyongo, former Upper East Regional Minister as Defence Minister.

A statement issued by Mr Bismark Adongo Ayorogo, President of NORPRA, commended Mr Woyongo for setting up Bawku Inter-Ethnic Peace Committee with high sense of commitment and worked very hard to bring relative peace in the area.

It said as Chairman of Regional Security Council the nominee Defence Minister on a number of occasions, put his life on the line for his people as without hesitation he moved to areas of conflicts amidst heavy gunfire.

He did this for the purpose of acquainting himself with the realities on the ground in order to strategise well for effective resolution of the problem to ensure lasting peace.

The statement said it is the expectation of NORPRA that Mr Woyongo would make good use of his wealth of practical experience in conflict management in his new appointment.