by kwameselom

Driven by a desire to explore the often-overlooked parts of my country, I sought to pursue my academic aspirations in Integrated Development Studies. My journey through the five regions of Northern Ghana has reshaped my understanding of development and revealed the untapped potential of this remarkable area.

_{Image: Baobab Tree Huge Tree} 

Northern Ghana is one of the largest regions in Ghana. However, its greatness and significance remain largely untapped. In 2010, as a young man fresh out of a two-year program in communication studies at the Ghana Institute of Journalism (now the University of Media, Arts, and Communication – Institute of Journalism, UniMAC-IJ), I made a bold decision: I chose the Upper West Region as my first choice for national service.

This choice baffled my friends, family, and church members. “What informed your decision?” they would ask. My answer was simple: “I want to explore. I want to see what lies beyond the parts of Ghana that are rarely spoken of positively.” At that time, I was unaware of Dolly Parton’s song, “Wildflowers.”

Listening to the song now, its lyrics resonate deeply with me. It embodies the spirit of what I have always sought to do with my life. Growing up in a neighborhood where survival was the first lesson, I quickly realized that there were few role models or mentors to look up to. To become something, you have to carve your own path.

My decision to move to Northern Ghana, specifically the Upper West Region, was driven by two things: a desire to explore and my academic aspirations. I wanted to pursue a degree in Integrated Development Studies (Development Communication Option) at the University for Development Studies (UDS), WA campus. Long story short, I achieved that goal and went on to earn a Master of Philosophy in Development Studies.

Over the years, I have witnessed firsthand the issues that underpin both development and underdevelopment. My professional experiences have reshaped my understanding of what true development means. Traveling across the five regions of Northern Ghana—Upper West, Savannah, Northern, North East, and Upper East—has deepened my appreciation of this part of the country.

Despite the skepticism from friends, family, and acquaintances who often described Northern Ghana as deprived and a place where nothing worthwhile could be achieved, I’ve found inspiration in William Blake’s poem “Auguries of Innocence.” One line, in particular, stands out to me: “…a heaven in a wildflower.” To me, Northern Ghana is that heaven in a wildflower—its greatness is just waiting to be explored.

This greatness is evident in its vast natural resources, like the rivers that crisscross the five regions, and in the potential of its human resources. When fully harnessed, Northern Ghana can emerge as one of the richest regions in the country.