Govt to put 50,000 acres of land under irrigation in Upper East

Also at the Flagstaff House to congratulate the President on his election was a delegation of chiefs from the Upper West Regional House of Chiefs.

Receiving the delegation from the Upper East Regional House of Chiefs, President Mahama said the irrigation of the farms was to ease the work of farmers and increase food production in the region.

Besides, he said, the government would offer tractor services under the Savannah Accelerated Development Authority (SADA) for farmers.

On electricity, the President said the Pwalugu Hydro Dam would be developed to produce 800 megawatts of power.

Additionally, he said, the government would generate electric power from solar energy to connect more people to power to support their activities.

On Upper West Region, President Mahama affirmed the government's resolve to work on the Wa Hospital and build another regional hospital for the area.

He gave an assurance that the roads in the area would witness massive improvement.

Speaking generally, President Mahama said the three regions of the north were the poorest, and reiterated his resolve to create economic opportunities for the people.

That, he said, was crucial to close the widening gap between the north and the south.

The Chiana Pio, Dr Detodini Ayagitan III, who spoke on behalf of the Upper East Regional House of Chiefs, assured President Mahama of the support of the chiefs and people of the region.

He said the country needed a concerted effort to be able to achieve the needed development of the country.

He urged the President to ensure that SADA executed more development projects in the area.

For his part, the Nandom-Naa and President of the Upper West Regional House of Chiefs, Naa Dr Puoure Puobe Chiir VII, said the chiefs were convinced with President Mahama's excellent record, and believed that he would lead Ghana to a full middle-income status.

He said the chiefs endorsed the appointment of Dr  H.S. Daannaa, a visually impaired, for the position of the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Traditional Affairs.

Story by Musah Yahaya Jafaru