Accra, Ghana, February 12, 2019//-Nalerigu, the largest town in the East Mamprusi Municipal Assembly, has been selected as the capital of the North East Region of Ghana.
This was announced by President Nana Akufo-Addo on Monday at a ceremony at the Jubilee House to present the Constitutional Instrument backing the creation of the region.
This now brings the country’s 10 regions to 11 with Nalerigu being the 11th regional capital.
Nalerigu and Walewale were the two towns most vocal about hosting the capital of the new region.
The Northern Regional Minister, Salifu Saeed has also been named the caretaker Minister of the region which has an estimated population of 440,000.
The districts making up the new region are the East Mamprusi Municipality, the West Mamprusi Municipality, the Bunkprugu-Nakpanduri District, the Yunyoo-Nasuan District, the Mamprugu-Moagduri District and the Chereponi District.
In his speech to mark the event, President Akufo-Addo assured that “government projects and structures will be equitably spread across the region.”
“Government will make sure that the desire for growth and progress, which was the underlining reason for the vote for the creation of the North East Region is met,” the President added.
He also noted that the North East part of the former Northern Region was the breadbasket of the area and “it is only appropriate that we help facilitate its rapid development.”
Residents of the North East part of the Northern Region in the referendum held overwhelmingly endorsed the creation of the North East Region with 99.67% of the ballots cast in favour.
Like the other new regions, the North East Region will be getting GHc20 million as seed capital.
President Akufo-Addo has also set up a committee to assess the needs of the new regions, five of which are awaiting their legal backing.
Meanwhile, Damango has been named as the regional capital of the newly created Savanna Region.
The remaining regions awaiting the presentation of their Constitutional Instruments are Western North, Ahafo, Bono East, and Oti.
Citinewsroom
