Upper East branch of Upper West Union inaugurated

The Upper East Region branch of the Upper West Union (UWU) was inaugurated at a colourful ceremony at the Bolgatanga Girls Senior High School and was attended by hundreds of indigenes living in the region.

The well-attended event, which was on the theme: “Uniting for progress; Celebrating our heritage, building the future”, also displayed and sampled many local dishes by participants.

The UWU is a non-political and non-religious development-oriented association of like-minded citizens who hail from the Upper West Region and are interested in seeking the holistic development of the region.

Rebirth

Addressing the inauguration last Sunday, the Upper East Regional Minister, Alhaji Dr Hafiz Bin Salih, said the rebirth of the union would serve as a foundation for addressing common challenges, building stronger networks and providing a support system for its members.

He indicated that the union embodied the collective hope, dreams and aspirations, and also symbolised their strength and power, saying: “As residents in the Upper East Region, we must contribute to its development by being law-abiding”.

“The bond between the two regions is deep-rooted in history and extends beyond geographical boundaries,” he said, adding: “Obviously, it is driven by our shared goals and belief in creating economic development by pooling resources.”

Dr Salih urged the association’s members to envision the union as a facilitator for cultural events, training programmes and initiatives that would empower the community as well as foster a sense of belonging.  

Such a move, he said, would enable them to nurture, uplift and promote local talents and ignite passion among the youth in particular through mentorship to enable them to grow to become useful in society.

“The success or otherwise of this union will depend on our collective commitments,” he said 

Reactivation

A former Pro Vice-Chancellor of the University of Development Studies, Professor David Millar, who was the guest speaker, said the easiest step was the reactivation of the union but the task ahead was herculean.

He mentioned that the more serious portion was the sustainability of the momentum of the union and, therefore, urged the new leadership to undertake a lot of work and activities to sustain the operations of the union.

In his inaugural address, the Chairman of the union, Aatare Adamu Mahmud, said through the union, they aspired to create an environment where members of the union living in the Upper East Region could come together as one family for their mutual benefit.

He stated that the union would serve as a bridge between the people, facilitating cultural exchanges, fostering economic partnerships and promoting social well-being, adding, “We will prioritise initiatives that will uplift members and contribute to the economic development of the Upper East as well.”

He appealed to the government for the improvement of the Chuchuliga-Nakong road, which connected both regions, as it would facilitate easy and smooth travelling to and from the Upper East and Upper West regions.

A Divisional Chief of Jaana in the Sissala East Municipality in the Upper West Region, Kuoro Ndie Bennin Duoro IX, who chaired the occasion, said the revival of the union was not merely a formal act, but a critical step towards strengthening the bond that unite the people from Upper West.

Writer’s email: gilbert.agbey@graphic.com.gh