The flagbearer of the All People’s Congress (APC), Dr. Hassan Ayariga has noted that the Savannah Accelerated Development Authority (SADA) will be rebranded as the Northern Accelerated Development Authority (NADA) if the party wins the 2016 December elections.
SADA was established by the ruling NDC to coordinate a comprehensive development agenda for the northern savannah ecological zone in Ghana.
SADA constitutes Ghana’s response to effects of climate change associated with floods and draught.
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The agency’s main thrust is to promote sustainable development using the notion of a forested and green north to catalyze climate change reversal and improve livelihoods of the most vulnerable citizens in the area.
But Hassan Ayariga said the restructuring of SADA to NADA will cover, and focus on the traditional three regions in the north of the country, namely Northern, Upper West, and Upper East Regions.
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At the launch of the party's manifesto, he said the APC will "Establish the Central Development Authority (CDA) that will invest in, and serve as the main develop0ment agency for communities along all the coastal areas in Ghana, including the coastal areas of Volta and Western Regions, in addition to the Greater Accra and Central regions."
He said the party will establish the Midlands Development Authority (MDA) to cater for the development of the middle belt of the country, covering the non-coastal areas of the Volta and Western Regions, in addition to the Ashanti, Eastern, and the Brong Ahafo Regions."
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"The establishment of the Slum & Inner City Improvement Programme(Special Zongo Improvement Initiative) to serve as a special vehicle to focus development on communities in the zongos and Inner Parts of Cities across Ghana, and Increase the share of revenues that mining communities currently receive in royalty payments."
"The APC will make sure that mining communities receive a higher share. Currently 80% of the royalty goes to government, 10% to the minerals commission, and 10% to the community. The APC will reduce Government share to 70% while doubling the community share of 20%. This will ensure more value is retained in mining communities for development."