The Millennium Development Authority (MiDA) and the Northern Development Authority (NDA) have advanced plans to coordinate development efforts across Northern Ghana through a newly developed cross-regional framework, following a high-level stakeholder meeting in Tamale.
The meeting, held Jan. 26 at the NDA office, brought together representatives from Regional Coordinating Councils, government agencies, research institutions, development partners and civil society organizations operating within the Northern Savannah Ecological Zone (NSEZ).
NDA Chief Executive Officer Dr. Emmanuel Abeere-Inga said the authority is strengthening its mandate to coordinate development interventions in the zone and is ready to collaborate with MiDA in implementing transformational programs. He noted that prior engagements with Regional Economic Planning Officers and Chief Directors of five Regional Coordinating Councils led to the creation of a cross-regional coordination framework aimed at addressing long-standing socio-economic challenges in Northern Ghana.
According to him, the authority has also engaged international development partners, who reaffirmed their support for NDA’s coordination role. He encouraged stakeholders to actively contribute ideas to ensure effective implementation of planned programs.
MiDA Board Chairman Charles Abugre called for stronger collaboration among stakeholders to accelerate development in the zone, highlighting the area’s economic potential and MiDA’s commitment to transforming livelihoods.
MiDA Chief Executive Officer Alex Mould said joint MiDA and NDA teams recently conducted field assessments along the White and Black Volta river corridors and surrounding agricultural basins. The mission evaluated the readiness and long-term potential of selected sites for development into Agro-Ecological Parks under the government’s 24-Hour Plus Programme.
The team toured parts of the Oti, Northern, Savannah, North East, Upper East and Upper West regions, engaging local leaders, farmers and youth, and identifying opportunities for agro-industrial growth, job creation and value addition, Mould said.
Participants at the Tamale meeting provided technical input to guide implementation of MiDA’s programs, with both institutions describing the engagement as a step toward building modern agribusiness ecosystems and more resilient rural economies across Northern Ghana.
Source: A1 Radio | 101.1 Mhz | Mark Kwasi Ahumah Smith | Bolgatanga
