Development Economist and former Chief Executive of the Savanna Accelerated Development Authority (SADA), Charles Abugri has observed that high levels of spatial inequality traps have a correlation with violent conflicts.
He said these are evident in the north of African countries such as Mali, Ivory coast, Kenya, Nigeria and Ghana where poverty, exclusion and marginalization often sparks social upheavals.
Mr. Abugri made the observation; at a lecture in Tamale on social policy issues by the Ghana Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana) and STAR Ghana foundation.
The lecture which is part of activities marking CDD-Ghana’s 2 decades of existence and is on the theme: “25 years of constitutional democracy: impart on inequality and inclusive development” attracted the political class, academicians, and representatives from civil society, traditional authorities as well as the media.
Mr. Abugri stated that political leaders must begin to think about a transformational agenda that would not only lift their people out of poverty, but also ensure that those earn minimal income would become asset liberated in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
An associate Professor at the UDS, Professor Agnes Atia Apusigah for her part regretted that development policies are often agile towards the haves in the society, but have been morbid in terms of benefitting the excluded and vulnerable. This she said required radical actions to reverse the trend.
Earlier in an address, CDD-Ghana’s Executive Director, Professor H. Kwasi Prempeh said CDD Ghana, an organization that exist to promote democracy, good governance and economic openness considers the lecture as social dialogue to highlight some of the gaps in our constitutional democracy and development.
