Education Minister Hon. Haruna Iddrisu delivered a bold appeal to Ghana’s lawmakers at the maiden Northern Development Conference held at the University for Development Studies (UDS) in Tamale, urging them never to equate compromise with weakness.
The Education Minister’s remarks came as he announced the imminent presidential assent to the newly passed UDS Bill, expected no later than Friday.
The high-profile conference drew leaders from both political divides. Minority Leader Hon. Alexander Afenyo-Markin was among the first to arrive, accompanied by a delegation from the Northern Caucus of Parliament.
Also in attendance was the Chief of Nanton in the Dagbon Kingdom, Nanton-Naa Mahamadu Bawa (V), underlining the event’s regional significance.
The Minister confirmed that Parliament had successfully passed the UDS Bill and revealed President John Dramani Mahama’s scheduled assent before the close of the week, and thanked “his colleagues from both sides of the house,” for their work on bringing the bill this far.
“It is the greatest desire of President Mahama to have a university in each region of Ghana,” he added, emphasizing the President’s vision to ensure equitable access to tertiary education nationwide. “I’m fast working at it to get work started in Bono, Kintampo,” the minister announced plans for the next University.
Hon. Haruna Iddrisu explained that the legislation permits expansion, detailing that UDS campuses will be established in Chogu and Yendi, with additional prospects for Salaga, Damango, and Nalerigu. “You will now have a full-fledged university, with campuses starting here.”
He also noted his deliberations on selecting between Salaga and Damongo as the Northeast Region university headquarters, while hinting at institutional upgrades for Gambaga, Nalerigu, and Nanua.
Potential and Economic Opportunity
The Minister shifted his attention to the broader development of Northern Ghana. “The North is not still without conflict,” he declared, acknowledging lingering land and chieftaincy disputes but stressed that resolving such issues is critical for attracting investment.
“How do we make the North an attractive destination for foreign investment?” Hon. Haruna Iddrisu asked, and encouraged constructive engagement with investors, speaking optimistically about the region’s untapped natural wealth.
“Even Tamale is sitting on oil. And very soon, you will get scientific findings and revelations that Tamale has a hydro potential as a city. Not to talk about the gold in Bole and in Bolga”
Hon. Haruna Iddrisu, Minister of Education
In a candid moment, Hon. Haruna Iddrisu shared his approach to bipartisan cooperation, encouraging his fellow parliamentarians to embrace negotiation and consensus. “Never ever think that compromise is a weakness – that’s my advice to members of parliament from both sides of the house,” he stressed.
“I walked into Parliament, got the Majority Leader to introduce the scholarship bill which he had announced earlier, then I came with the UDS bill. Because I know and want a compromise, I went to Hon. Osahene and Hon. Habib, and said, ‘I want the UDS bill passed today’”
Hon. Haruna Iddrisu, Minister of Education
The Minister concluded his account of how he actively reached across the aisle to push the scholarship and UDS bills through Parliament on a personal note, acknowledging the visible support of MPs and regional leaders present at the conference. “I see Honorable Habib Iddrisu smiling,” he said.
His closing served not just as a sign-off, but a statement of unity – echoing the very principle of compromise he had called for.
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