The country’s street naming exercise in the Bole District has been hit with criticisms that point to inefficiencies and inconsistencies in the exercise.
Mr. Iddisah Tahiru Omega, a concerned citizen in Bole via WhatsApp write up has raised a number of issues such as the use of names alien to the natives and the replacement of common and already-existing street names without consultation.
This, Mr Omega says the street names in the area were imposed on them.
According to him many communities across the globe when naming especially it’s streets, consider prominent Chiefs, freedom fighters, politicians, farmers, Civil servants, journalists, clergy etc for recognition and hence Bole cannot be an exception since we equally have such great personalities in our society. Eg. John Dramani Mahama, Alhaji Mahama, Alhaji Kpandai, EA Mahama etc, he stated.
“So therefore one would have thought that during the recent street naming and digital addressing of homes program of the Bole District, people who were in charge would have been guided by the long tried and tested principle stated above to reward or acknowledge some of the distinguished sons and daughters of the land”, he furthered.
“How on earth can anyone who knows Bole so well name the road leading to the Bole senior high school as “SPAGETTLHI STREET” when names such as Alhaji Mahama of blessed memory a prominent transport owner, farmer and first chairman of the NPP in Bole Bamboi constituency, District chief farmer, Alhaji Alakabo or even the name of the senior high school could beautifully suite such a road”, he stressed on.
He added that the road in front of the current Tingawura Abudu Samson given a name, “MALAYALAM” which has no meaning in Gonja or related to Bole, when his name Alhaji Sampson who is a prominent civil servant, politician and now a chief could have been used since he virtually was the first to settle there and many in Bole even call that area Alhaji Sampson’s area.
Also, the road heading towards late Bolewura Gbeadese’s house was named “BIBIYATI ST” when his name or his gate could have been used as in Gbeadese street or Dinkeri street or at worse Korupe street, Omage noted.
He observed that the street leading to palace water and guest House, Yagbon group of companies is named “HUMMINGBIRD”, “COFFEE” used for the road that lead to late Alhaji Kpandai’s home and EL-SEMERE used for the road leading to late Medas’ house when the names of these prominent citizens who have distinguished themselves in society.
Mr Tahiru Omega therefore call on the authorities in charge of this very important assignment to take a second look at what they have done, appraise themselves and do the right thing before we become a laughing stalk among our peers.
He concluded that there will be no motivation what so ever for the younger generation to distinguish themselves if the status quo remains same since there is saying that, “A society that does not remember/recognise it’s heroes and heroines is not worth dying for”.
The Member of Parliament for the Bole-Bamboi constituency,Hon.Yusif Sulemana,also speaking on matter acknowledged that his sources tell that the matter of wrong naming of the streets is a nationwide problem.
According to him, he spoke with the Project Coordinator for the north and he confirmed is not only Bole with such concerns.
The MP , therefore,implored Honourable Assemblymen to be more vigilant on what happens in their electoral areas.
“You don’t wait to be consulted before you seek clearance for what goes on at your backyard. We shall work together to resolve this problem”.
Meanwhile, all efforts by Yagbon News to get in touch with the Project Coordinator for the North to speak on the issue has proved futile.
Source: yagbonradioonline
