Alan Kyerematen’s recent tour of the five northern regions of Ghana highlighted the urgent need for development in an area rich with untapped potential.
His journey through the Upper West, Upper East, Northern, North East, and Savanna regions brought him face-to-face with the challenges confronting these communities, from inadequate social and economic infrastructure to widespread poverty.
Speaking to journalists at the end of his tour, Alan expressed concern over the region’s neglect by successive governments, which he described as a glaring leadership failure.
“The conditions here are truly concerning. In some communities, children are learning under poor conditions in extreme heat, while access to clean water remains a daily struggle for many families. This situation hinders their ability to thrive and fulfill their potential,” he said. Alan emphasized that such challenges perpetuate cycles of poverty and inequality, holding back not only the region but the entire country. He shared heartbreaking observations of children walking long distances to fetch water from muddy streams, often juggling their time between school and supporting their families. “No child should have to choose between going to school and helping their family fetch water. It’s a reminder of the urgent need for sustainable solutions to ensure every child has access to basic necessities like clean water and education,” he added.
Healthcare infrastructure was another area of concern for Alan Kyerematen.
He noted that some residents travel several kilometers to access the nearest clinic, a situation that has led to preventable deaths.
“It is disheartening to hear stories of lives lost due to the lack of nearby health facilities. This is a region with immense potential to drive Ghana’s growth, yet it faces significant neglect. We must address this,” he stated.
Alan also met with farmers who shared their struggles with unpredictable weather patterns, insufficient inputs, and limited access to markets. He pointed out that many farmers are unable to modernize and remain stuck in subsistence farming methods that yield little return.
He promised to introduce a New Agricultural Revolution to transform the sector, emphasizing that the region has the potential to become the food basket of West Africa. “With the right support, agriculture in this region can flourish and transform lives. Completing projects like the Pwalugu Multipurpose Dam and introducing agro-parks will enable year-round farming and improve incomes,” he assured.
During engagements with traders, Alan listened to stories of market women trapped in debt cycles due to their inability to access affordable loans. He proposed establishing a Traders Bank to offer low-interest loans tailored to the needs of small-scale traders.
“These are hardworking people who need just a little support to thrive. If we empower the traders, we empower the families they support,” he said.
Concluding his remarks, Alan called on the people of the northern regions to rethink their political choices. He criticized the two dominant political parties for failing to deliver on their promises.
“For decades, the duopoly has come here asking for votes, only to turn their backs once in power. Instead of providing concrete plans, they are now fighting over who is more corrupt or who has failed the economy more. Bawumia proudly claims that under the NDC, the rate of currency depreciation was 74%, while under the NPP, it is 72%, despite the cedi hitting 17 to the dollar under his watch. If this is what he calls proper management of the currency, then we have a huge leadership problem,” he said.
Alan urged the people to demand more from their leaders and consider the promise of change embodied in his Great Transformational Plan (GTP). “The northern regions deserve better.
Your children deserve opportunities that allow them to dream and achieve. Together, we can turn these challenges into opportunities and ensure no family, no community, is left behind in our pursuit to alleviate poverty,” he concluded.
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