Navrongo (U/E), March 23, GNA- Mr. Mahami Salifu, Upper East Regional Minister at the weekend re-iterated the urgency for Northern students in tertiary institutions to extricate themselves from tribal politics and actively participate in the development process of their communities.

He said most community members are less fortunate in terms of education and therefore rely on tertiary students to make informed decisions and that it is incumbent on them to also reciprocate by practical examples to empower the community members to appreciate government policies and plans.

Mr. Salifu cited for instance, the need for the students to sensitise the people on the ongoing voter registration exercise, saying, by so doing, they would empower individuals to understand the need to exercise their franchise, especially, in the forthcoming general elections.

The Minister said this in an address to inaugurate the University for Development Studies (UDS) branch of the Upper East Region Students Union at the Navrongo campus of the University in the Upper East Region. He said, " The political education cannot wait. Our people's knowledge on politics must be enhanced to enable them meet and share information to effectively participate in the decision-making process and contribute to the development their communities".

Mr. Salifu acknowledged the teething problems characterized by the UDS and said in spite of these problems, the students have managed to devote some time and attention to support and address problems of poverty and illiteracy, adding that, they endeavour to include issues of HIV/AIDS, Conflict Management, Child Trafficking and Indiscipline, which affects the development of the region.

The Minister condemned the lukewarm attitude of some parents towards the education of their children and said such parents preferred spending their monies on expensive funerals and drunkenness adding "we cannot invest in education if we do not mobilize savings from less important social obligations in favour of education.

The UDS branch President of the Union, Mr. Timothy Anaba, in a welcome address, outlined the objective of the union to include mobilizing students in tertiary institutions to serve as mouthpiece in the development of their various communities. It also aims at forging unity among the students and encouraging them to live and work in the region.

The executive members of the union include Mr. Timothy Anaba, President, Mr. Daniel Kansake, Vice President, Mr. Daniel Abugre, Organizing Secretary and Mr. Mr. Paul Antoyine, Deputy Organizing Secretary.

The rest are Mr. Peter Adagyine, Treasurer, Mr. Simon Abire, Secretary and Miss. Mercy Avoka, Assistant Secretary.