Professor David Millar, President of Millar Open University in the Upper East Region, has criticized residents for what he describes as obstructing their own development through counterproductive arguments and personal interests.
In recent comments, Prof. Millar expressed his belief that the prolonged delay in constructing the regional airport, a project first proposed decades ago, can be attributed largely to the intended beneficiaries themselves. According to the university president, such behavior gives politicians an easy excuse to abandon their campaign promises.
“The choice for siting of the construction of the airport initially was Tangidi Forest Reserve which has changed over time. The ‘conflict’ between Navrongo and Bolgatanga relative to the location has led to the delay. These would make the politicians think that we are not ready for development,” he told Dreamz FM’s James Nana Tsiquaye.
Prof. Millar pointed out that the airport project is one of the oldest development initiatives on Ghana’s national agenda, yet its location has been repeatedly changed due to what he described as “personal interests” of some residents in the region. This pattern of behavior clearly frustrates the academic leader.
Drawing comparisons with other regions, he questioned the mindset of Upper East residents regarding development matters, specifically wondering why they don’t demonstrate the same unity of purpose seen elsewhere in the country.
The professor’s comments highlight his concern that selfishness and disunity among the people of the Upper East Region are major obstacles to accelerated development in the area. These divisions, he suggests, ultimately provide convenient justification for politicians to renege on their promises to the region.
