The chiefs and people of the Upper West Region have requested of the President to, among others, facilitate the passage of the law that grants the University of Development Studies an autonomous status.
They are also requesting of the President to ensure that students’ admissions for the 2019/2020 academic year be decentralised to the three autonomous campuses.
Additionally, the chiefs want the president to facilitate the appointment of acting officers, including position of the chancellor, registrar and directors of finance from among qualified employees, on the new university in Wa for at least a duration of a year following the appointment of substantive officers, as well as an interim Governing Council.
Kuoro Babini Kanton VI, Tumu Kuoro and President of the Upper West Regional House of Chiefs, made the requests when he led a delegation of chiefs from the Upper West Region to pay a courtesy call on the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, at the Jubilee House on Tuesday.
The 28-member delegation of the Upper West Regional House of Chiefs who called on the President included Kuoro Richard Babini Kanton VI, Tumu Kuoro, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the House; Naa Dikomwine Domalae, Daffiama Naa, Vice-Chairman of the Standing Committee of the House. Kuoro Kuri-Buktie Limann IV, Gwollu Kuoro, Naa Sohimininye Danah Gore II, Dorimon Naa, Naa Puowele Karbo III, Lawra Naa, Naa Fuseini Seidu Pelpuo IV, Wa Naa, Naa Seidu Braimah Nubalanaang, G Naa, Naa Pagranege Sakoe Mornah III, Sankana Naa and Naa Widaana-nanga II, Takpo Naa are all members of the Standing Committee of the House.
The delegation also included Pognaa Junstina Davoro, Bussie Pognaa and Pognaa Hajia Adisah Bayong Nawong, Ullo Pognaa and 17 supporting staff of the Upper West Regional House of Chiefs.
The chiefs, among others, requested the President to facilitate the completion of the Wa airport, the Wa Regional Hospital.
The chiefs also sought the support of the National Commission of Civic Education, Civic Society Organisations and Faith-based Organisations to team up with traditional authorities in educating the citizenry on their civic responsibilities and appreciation of their rights and responsibilities.
“We also add our voice to the clarion calls made by some individuals and groups for the Ministry of Education to take a second look at the school curriculum, especially at the first and second-cycle institutions level, to include civic education,” the chiefs noted.
Responding to the concerns of the chiefs, President Nana Addo said arrangements are far advanced to ensure that parliament passes the UDS autonomous campuses bill into law when it resumes sitting.
He was optimistic that this year’s student intake would happen under the new arrangement.
Speaking to concerns raised on roads in the region, the President said the particular roads mentioned have been earmarked by the Ministry of Roads for attention, adding that it is part of government’s plans to open up those key roads to facilitate inter regional trade.
The President congratulated the chiefs and people of the region for their contribution in bringing lasting peace to Dagbon and its environs, and thus charged them to ensure that the peace is entrenched.
By: Daniel Nonor/Jubilee House