The Regent of Dagbon, Kampakuya naa Abdulai Yakubu Andani has asked Muslims in the traditional area to use the just ended holy month of fasting to reflect on their deeds and change attitudes towards building a better future for Dagbon.
He was speaking to journalists at the Gbewaa Palace in Yendi on Monday as millions of Muslims around the world celebrated the Eid- Al Fitr festival to mark the end of Islam’s holy month of Ramadan.
Naa Yakubu Andani said it gladdens his heart that Dagbon has stayed restful and stable for more than a decade without violence and thanked the people and all those who helped in keeping peace in Yendi.
He reminded government of the sweeping effects of violence in any part of the country and asked that enough must be done to ensure a lasting a solution to the Dagbon chieftancy divisions.
“Dagbon is part of this nation and anything that happens, it adverse effects in the entire nation and for that matter, government and stakeholders who are into peace should ensure that the leave we’ve built for past decade is maintained, so that the people can enjoy peace and development”.
The Regent stressing on importance of peace said government can only roll out it plans or implement it’s policies and programs in a tranquil atmosphere and called for an end to all hostilities.
However, commenting on the regional infrastructure and amenities concerns, the king entreated government not to abandon the ongoing expansions works at the Tamale International Airport.
Kampakuya Naa Andani is demanding government ensure the continuance and completion of the second phase project after a new aviation minister had threatened a review of the contract agreement.
Aside the strategic and economic importance of the project, Naa Andani said the plight of Muslim pilgrims especially those in the Northern belt.
The project when continued according to him will provide jobs to the youth to reduce the alarming rate of youth unemployment and rural urban drift, and also increase foreign trade.
“The first phase has finished: we are looking at the second phase which we are hoping government would look at to ensure this laudable project that has been started and almost getting to conclusion would be concluded”.
“Because it’s going to create a lot of jobs and going to bring a lot of investment to the North…so if we are able to invest in this International airport, it will go a long way to bring our youth who have moved to the south for unexisting jobs back home because jobs would be created in the Northern region and our youth would be beneficiaries. It is also going to boost agriculture sector because most of our raw materials would now be transported outside.”