Demo Rocks Tamale

Thousands of residents in and around the Tamale metropolis yesterday hit the principal streets of the city in a mammoth demonstration dubbed �Atta Miisim.� The demonstrators, who cut across all age groups and clad in red and black clothes, defied the scorching sun to register their displeasure about government�s handling of critical issues pertaining to the north. They called for the immediate removal of the Savannah Accelerated Authority (SADA) boss. A number of them were seen carrying lit kerosene lanterns in search of what they said was their lost glory which had been taken away from them by the Mills government. The lanterns were also to aid them to look for a redeemer they claimed was Nana Akufo-Addo, the NPP flagbearer, who held the key to unlocking the fortunes of the north. The demonstration, which was organized by the Young Patriots, a youth group in the NPP, in collaboration with the Progressive Nationalist Forum, indicated that it found it mindboggling that President Atta Mills could dole out GH�51.2 m to an individual and travel to the US to solicit a paltry $18m. According to the demonstrators, government�s lack of commitment to the development of northern Ghana was the reason the SADA had become a sham. It also expressed worry at the continuous deceit of northerners by the President and Vice President John Mahama who claimed funds had been secured to begin the SADA which account was still empty. In a seven-point petition to government through the Northern Regional Minister, the pro-NPP groups demanded that the about GH�640 million paid to NDC cronies in the name of judgment debts be retrieved. According to them, the lump sums controversially paid to self-acclaimed NDC financier, Alfred Agbesi Woyome, as judgment debts should set the pace for other monies to be retrieved. All monies retrieved from all fraudulent deals, it noted, should be committed to the SADA account and government publish all projects of SADA. The Young Patriots, among other concerns, called for the immediate dissolution of the SADA Board, chaired by Alhassan Andani, accusing the board of incompetence in steering the affairs pertaining to the north. It also called for the dismissal and prosecution of key actors in the gargantuan payment made to Mr Woyome, including former Attorney General, Betty Mould-Iddrisu, Finance Minister Dr. Kwabena Duffuor and Deputy Attorney General Ebo Barton-Odro. The group called for the immediate release of five incarcerated NPP activists who had been in detention for over three years now if the President was indeed committed to his mantra of father for all. The demonstration, which was well attended, was aimed at forcing government to retrieve all monies stolen from the national coffers in the name of judgment debts and paid into the much touted SADA account. In attendance were Richard Kwesi Nyamah, Daniel Nii Titus Glover, Hopeson Adorye and John Kuma, all leading members of the Young Patriots. DAILY GUIDE has been hinted that similar demonstrations will be replicated in the Upper East and West regions to remind government of its promise to the people of the north. Leaders of the Young Patriots have since left for the Upper East regional capital, Bolgatanga, to begin preparations ahead of another planned demonstration.