Upper East Regional Minister-designate, Akamugri Donatus Atanga has outlined his priorities for the region, stressing the need for peace and development.

Mr. Atanga is among 10 individuals nominated by President John Dramani Mahama to serve as regional ministers in his administration.

Speaking on Eyewitness News on Tuesday, Atanga acknowledged the ongoing chieftaincy crisis in Bawku as a pressing concern.

He expressed his commitment to working collaboratively with stakeholders including other regional ministers, to promote peace and stability in the area.

“We are bedevilled with the chieftaincy crisis in Bawku so, we want to see to it that we negotiate with our colleagues. I am happy the regional minister-designate for the North East Region is a colleague who is also a regional secretary just as I am.

“We can put our heads together to see how we can reach a compromised position to have peace existing in these two regions. As you know, peace is a prerequisite for development.”

“So, if we want to deal with poverty levels, it is better to also handle the security issues and ensure that there is peace,” he stated.

He also noted the economic challenges facing the Upper East Region, which is among the poorest in Ghana.

To address this, Atanga emphasised the importance of mobilising resources and initiating projects that would create employment opportunities for the youth.

“Upper East is among the poorest regions in the country and what we need to do is to be able to mobilise our people and solicit support that will bring projects and create employment for the youth.  That will go a long way to solve the problems of the Upper East,” he added.