East Gonja district is located in the south eastern part of the Northern Region and covers an area of approximately 13,000 square kilometres. It is the second largest district in Ghana (after West Gonja district) in terms of land area. The total population of the district is 176,084

The main ethnic group of the district is the Gonja, hence the name of the district. Other ethnic groups include Konkomba, Dagomba, Nawuri, Nchumuru, etc.

The district capital, Salaga, which is an ancient town, has a fair representation of other ethnic groups from Ghana and other West African countries. Reputed as the most significant slave trading market in Northern Ghana Salaga acquired its ethnic mix from slave traders, freed slaves and other merchants who settled the ancient city and trading post during the slave trade. The cultural diversity in Salaga has made the town a unique centre of language, Islamic scholarship and ancient trade with huge potential for tourist attractions.

The main economic activities are farming, fishing and petty trade. Large stretch of arable land abounds in the district. It is indeed a major contributor to the food basket of the nation.

Salaga town has serious environmental problems of waste disposal, both liquid and solid. Open dumping of refuse is what prevails and these dumps are not well cared for. There is no refuse disposal truck in the district. Furthermore, the town lacks an effective drainage system. Finally, the few public toilets are not well catered for. This gives rise to the risk of the spread of diseases.

East Gonja district is one of three districts in which Ibis Ghana, started piloting a governance programme dubbed, Public Participation in Local Governance (PPLG) which is aimed at enhancing good governance and decentralization in Ghana. The programme started in earnest in mid 2002 with active participation in the local government election.

Ibis East Gonja entered into partnership with a local NGO, JIDA to implement poverty reduction and governance-based programmes in the district. JIDA has been able to reach about several groups engaged in income generating activities. Other major activities undertaken in collaboration with East Gonja District Assembly include:

• Capacity building for administrative and political representatives of the DA and substructures
• Logistic support to all 13 Town and Area councils for a smooth take off.
• Pay 50% of salaries of Town/Area council staff for two years.
• Supported the preparation of medium term development plans for all 13 Area councils and the DA.
• Supported NCCE to organize series of political dialogue meetings between feuding political parties in Salaga.
• Sponsored a brainstorming session for Civil society groups and sub structures of the DA to share and cross fertilize ideas for the development of the district.
• Support to the EGDA to development of a comprehensive database for the district in the pipeline.
• Supporting a donor conference to market the EGDA MTDP and expose the rich potentials of the district.

All these have contributed to making East Gonja the first and only district in Northern region that has fully operationalised their area councils and fulfilling the statutory requirement of allowing the councils to retain 50% of locally generated revenue for development in their areas.

The way forward is to strengthen the interface between civil society and the DA system and with traditional administration. Work more with the sub structures of the Assembly and encourage female participation in issues of governance.