Private Sector Endorses SADA

The private sector has stressed the need for the Savannah Accelerated Development Authority (SADA) to embark on speedy job creation in the Northern Savannah to absorb the idle youth so as to avoid current diversion of idle hands into conflict.

In a communiqué issued by private sector leaders comprising over 40 representatives of various agricultural, agro-processing, financial services, tourism, mining, transport and allied services, the leaders expressed the wish to see SADA as an engine of unity, peace and development in the Northern Savannah.

The communiqué, adopted at the end of a two-day roundtable on the northern savannah belt at Tamale over the weekend, was presented to Vice-President John Mahama at the Castle, Osu, yesterday.

The communiqué, read by Alhaji Asuamah Bandah, Chief Executive officer of Antrak, who led a five-man delegation to present it to the government, endorsed fully the government’s commitment to establish a comprehensive strategy to accelerate development efforts in the Northern Savannah.

It urged government to ensure that SADA was provided with secure and sustainable funding to undertake the ambitious transformation of the Northern Savannah into a growth pole.

“This funding must include a dedicated Savannah Development Fund to assure long-term investments in needed infrastructure and human development,” the communiqué stated.

“Private sector leaders encourage government to be assertive in establishing incentives to attract and retain investors and other businesses in the Northern Savannah,” it added.

The communiqué identified a number of strategic investments in infrastructure-roads, airports, in-land ports, water resources facilities and energy investments to enable rapid deployment of the private sector.

The communiqué undertook to build on the first meeting and convene bi-annual private sector roundtable fora on the Northern Savannah. It also undertook to provide advisory services to SADA Board and Management on critical issues pertaining to the private sector.

The communiqué further expressed the wish to support government’s drive to bring about accelerated development in the Northern Savannah, in partnership with the private sector.

Receiving the communiqué, Vice-President Mahama assured the delegation that the government would study the issues and concerns raised in the communiqué to incorporate it in the policy formulation document of SADA.

He said the vision of opening a new frontier of development in the north would engender a new growth pole in the country and offer employment and trade opportunities.

Mr. Mahama stated that in spite of the SADA strategy, government’s budget in respect of development in the area would be maintained, adding, investments realized from the SADA would be supplementary to the budget.

The Vice-President noted that the government could not achieve the vision of SADA without the active participation and collaboration with the private sector and commended the delegation for the enthusiasm they had shown for the project.

Giving the media an update of the SADA later, Dr. Sulley Gariba, Development Policy Advisor at the Office of the Vice-President said SADA had gathered pace, following the gazetting of the SADA Authority Bill last Friday.

Having met the critical milestones, he said Parliament would be ready to consider the Bill immediately it resumes later in May.

The SADA covers the Northern, Upper East and Upper West Regions, as well as districts located in the northern Volta and northern Brong-Ahafo regions.

It is expected to undertake comprehensive strategy for the accelerated development of the Savannah, mobilize funding for investment and support NGO efforts in working with ordinary citizens in the programme areas.

Major outcomes of SADA over the five year period include improved coordination of development services in the area, increase in the quality and quantity of infrastructure necessary for accelerated development; a significant increase in the volumes of funding available as additional resources to finance development in the northern savannah; and a significant increase in private sector investments.

Story: Wisdom Peter Awuku