The President of the Upper East Regional House of Chiefs and Paramount Chief of the Chiana Traditional Area, Pe Thomas More Ditundini Adiali Ayagitam III, has called for urgent structural reforms in education, agriculture, and local industry to accelerate development in the Upper East Region.

The Chief expressed concern over the neglect of peasant farmers despite significant investment in agriculture. According to him, production continues to increase while markets remain uncertain. “We spend so much supporting production, yet there is no reliable market for our farmers. Why should we import corn when we have it in abundance?” he questioned.

The Chief made this statement when a team from the National Development Planning Commission, led by its Chairman, Dr. Nii Moi Thompson, and the Director-General, Dr. Audrey Smock Amoah, along with two senior planning analysts, paid a courtesy call on him following a strategic engagement with MMDAs and key stakeholders at the Upper East Regional Coordinating Council to seek the Chiefs’ wisdom in the preparation of the Consolidated Development Plan.

The President of the Upper East Regional House of Chiefs and Paramount Chief of the Chiana Traditional Area, Pe Thomas More Ditundini Adiali Ayagitam III, urged government to revamp the food processing and cotton industries to create sustainable jobs, particularly through tomato and pepper processing factories, while also addressing water, sanitation, and corruption challenges affecting communities.

On education, he disclosed that infrastructure deficits and teacher placement challenges remain critical. He referenced concerns earlier raised by the Regional Minister regarding overcrowded classrooms and trained teachers who remain unemployed years after completing their studies. Citing the Rungur area as an example, he said several schools are congested while qualified teachers struggle to secure postings. “Some have gone through training and are sitting at home for four or five years. Meanwhile, classrooms are overcrowded. How can effective teaching and proper assessment take place under such conditions?” he asked, stressing the need for equitable distribution of facilities and reduced class sizes.

In a separate engagement, Nana Okogyeaman Kwasi Asiedu Koram II, the President of the Apesokubi Traditional Council in the Biakoye District of the Oti Region, called for stronger coordination among state institutions, urging bodies such as the National Development Planning Commission and other constitutional commissions to work in alignment under a clearly defined and consolidated national development plan.
“We are all working towards the same goal; development for the nation. It cannot be fragmented. It must be deliberate, structured, and guided by a strong, consolidated national development plan,” the Oti Chief stated. 

He noted that institutions currently operate in congested spaces with weak coordination systems, slowing implementation and affecting efficiency.
He further raised concerns about sanitation, water security, health infrastructure, transport systems, and political interference in public projects, advocating sustainable water systems, structured transport enforcement, improved doctor accommodation, and stronger accountability in infrastructure delivery.

Responding to the concerns, the Director-General of the NDPC, Dr. Audrey Smock Amoah, thanked the Chiefs for their candid contributions and assured them that their recommendations would be incorporated into the planning processes. 

She emphasised that stakeholder engagement with traditional authorities remains critical to the successful implementation of the country’s long-term development strategy. “Development planning must reflect the realities on the ground. We value the insights of our traditional leaders and will continue to work closely with them to ensure coordinated and sustainable national progress,” she assured.