Public Agenda NewsPaperPublic Agenda NewsPaper
  • General News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Health
  • Development Agenda
  • World News
  • Features & Opinions
  • Election watch
  • Editorial
Font ResizerAa
Public Agenda NewsPaperPublic Agenda NewsPaper
Font ResizerAa
  • General News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Health
  • Development Agenda
  • World News
  • Features & Opinions
  • Election watch
  • Editorial
Search
  • General News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Health
  • Development Agenda
  • World News
  • Features & Opinions
  • Election watch
  • Editorial
Follow US
Breaking NewsEditorial

WELCOME TO THE ERA OF DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITIES

Latifa Carlos
Last updated: August 8, 2017 2:37 pm
Latifa Carlos
Share
4 Min Read
SHARE

One of the sad episodes of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government was the perception that it lacked the political will to deal with corruption or the perception of it. No other institution came to symbolise this creeping abuse, misuse and mismanagement of state institutions than SADA amongst others. SADA was a flagship project.

When President Mahama took the bold step of changing the leadership of SADA, this was expected to herald a new era of hope for the long-suffering people of the SADA zone.  Jokes apart, SADA almost came to exemplify the failure of the Northern elite, who when given an opportunity to serve the poor people of the area failed so miserably that it was almost shameful to identify oneself as part of that small but rapacious elite.

Then comes Charles Abugre appointed by the John Mahama administration as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Once in a generation a personality comes to represent the hopes and aspirations of the people. Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah came to represent the hopes of Africa the world over. Other world leaders have done the same. In the case of SADA, this role was left to Charles Abugre, who came not to save SADA as an institution but also to save the Northern elite from shame. Undoubtedly, he held SADA back from the brink, and turned it round. It has regained its status as a flagship project of the Ghanaian state.

More Read

NDC’s Joseph Yamin denies engaging in illegal mining
DCE Lauds ISODEC Community Empowerment Initiative
Mahama declares galamsey a national emergency, orders arrest of rogue taskforces
Disclose savings from fuel allowance cancellation – Energy analyst to govt
Ghc1 energy sector levy takes effect

Recently Public Agenda has learned that for the past 5 years, and in the latter years of the NDC administration, the institution was starved of funds. It is tempting to ask why, but to what purpose? Fortunately for SADA, Charles used his excellent fundraising and interpersonal skills to keep the vision of SADA alive. Others would have walked away. More than that, he went on to initiate projects which gained the acceptance of Ghana’s development partners and the international community.

At the time of writing this editorial, the Nana Akufo Addo’s government is in the process of creating three new Development Authorities. Ghana will have the Northern Development Authority; the Middle Belt Development Authority and the Coastal Development Authority. This is no doubt a laudable objective which holds great promise for Ghana’s efforts to eradicate poverty.

However, the NPP government should ensure that it does not treat these Authorities the way SADA was treated. Creating a Development Authority should not be a matter of fulfilling election promises. It is about the lives of people. This also requires financial resources, political commitment, a visionary national leadership and political will to take on the corrupt elements in these regions. SADA suffered because none of these was forthcoming, in spite of all the good intentions of President Mahama and his predecessors.

We should learn the lessons that SADA provides in the creation of these Authorities. The NPP administration should ensure sufficient allocation of resources; the appointment of competent and committed personal like Mr  Abugre, and involve the citizens at all levels to ensure accountability, effective monitoring of the use of resources and in the implementation of projects.

Without the above, these Development Authorities will simply not deliver development. The current government cannot fail the people of Ghana once more. SADA survived 5 years without resources. It is not comfortable. The new Development Authorities will deliver, but they need the support of both the President and his Vice. Public Agenda welcomes this initiative.

Share This Article
Facebook Whatsapp Whatsapp Email Copy Link Print

Latest News

Ghana 24-Hour Economy. policy by NDC and John mamaha
Beyond the hope: The unspoken transportation risks of the 24-Hour Economy
July 16, 2025
LEG makes proposals for revision of Compensation and Resettlement Regulations
July 14, 2025
$100m legal war erupts between E&P and Azumah Resources
July 8, 2025
Ghana secures $370M from IMF after successful review
July 8, 2025
Ghana to attract more global oil investors after Akoma and Eban 1X discoveries
July 8, 2025
Govt cracks down on illegal mining task forces amid extortion claims
July 8, 2025
Dr. Adrian Alter appointed new IMF resident representative for Ghana
July 7, 2025

You Might Also Like

Breaking NewsElection watchPoliticstop stories

Ablekuma North: EC to rerun Parliamentary Election in 19 Polling Stations

July 10, 2025
Breaking NewsBusinesstop stories

Mid-Year budget to clarify road contractor payments – Ampem Nyarko

July 7, 2025
Breaking NewsDevelopment Agendatop stories

 ISODEC Urges Citizens to Engage More in Local Governance Processes 

July 2, 2025
Breaking NewsDevelopment Agendatop stories

Government Reaffirms Commitment to Investment-Friendly Environment to Attract Development Financing

July 1, 2025

About Us

Public Agenda is fou­nded and owned by Pu­blic Agenda Communic­ations.

Public Agenda was founded as a public interest Me­dia entity. Its Visi­on is to contribute to building a well-i­nformed society where accurate informati­on dissemination is the cornerstone of a democratic, just and equitable society.

Its mission is to inform, guide and bui­ld responsible citiz­enship and accountab­le decision making and strive for excell­ence in the media in­dustry. Public Agenda Communications is managed by a Board of Directors.

Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?