The Upper East Regional Minister, Mr Stephen Yakubu, says the lack of a consulate in the five Northern Regions is a major worry to the people as they have to travel miles to Accra.
To save residents the burden of travelling to Accra, the Minister appealed to the British High Commission in Accra to consider opening a Consulate in the northern part of the country.
“I strongly believe that when you take this first step since you are the pacesetters, other High Commissions and Embassies will follow suit,” he said.
Mr Yakubu made the appeal when he hosted the Deputy British High Commissioner to Ghana, Mr Keith McMahon to dinner as part of Ghana’s 66th Independence Day Celebration in Bolgatanga.
The Minister used the occasion to brief the Deputy Commissioner on the conflict situations in the region and acknowledged the efforts of the British Government in the development of Ghana.
He said when the insurgency of the Jihadists broke out in Burkina Faso, about 6,000 displaced Burkinabes flooded the eastern corridor of the region and with the support of UNICEF, the Refugees Board and other institutions, some relief items were sent to make them settle comfortably.
He praised the Regional Security Council (REGSEC) for its efforts, which led to the arrest of several miscreants in the area believed to be Jihadist group syndicates.
The Minister said the “See Something, Say Something” mantra encouraged locals to provide information to the security authorities.
Dzifa Hukporti, ISD
