Alexis Adugdaa Ayamdor, former District Chief Executive of Bongo and currently an industrial liaison officer at Bolgatanga Technical University, has sharpened his campaign for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Upper East Regional Secretary position, arguing that the role demands broad professional experience, policy advisory capacity and national level engagement rather than local popularity alone.
In recent statements, Ayamdor, who formally declared his intention on 21 September 2026, said he would place his record and ideas before party delegates. He acknowledged other aspirants, including the current Regional Communications Officer, Jonathan Abdallah Salifu, while maintaining that prior service as a regional executive does not automatically qualify someone for the Secretary’s distinct responsibilities.
“Being a regional executive member is not, in itself, a guarantee,” Ayamdor said. “One may have a scorecard, but the role played at the regional level in the past is quite different from the role of Regional Secretary. Expertise in one role does not automatically translate into the other… Looking at where the contest stands, I think he may find it a tough race against me.”
He noted that some observers were surprised that figures with university and professional backgrounds had entered the race, but insisted the move was “for the good of the party.” Drawing a contrast with what he described as premature political ambitions elsewhere, including within the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), Ayamdor said he had deliberately taken time to build experience before seeking higher responsibility. “I take my time, and I make sure that any responsibility I pursue is one where I can genuinely make an impact not based on slogans, but on ideas, experience, knowledge of the role, and the capacity to deliver.”
Ayamdor outlined a career spanning more than two decades across private and public sectors. In the private sector he worked with non-governmental and civil society organisations. In the public sector he served at District Assembly level, within the university system, and gained familiarity with regional and national governance structures. He previously held the Bongo DCE post and has professional experience with organisations including USAID, Catholic Relief Services and others focused on local governance and community development.
He portrayed the Regional Secretary post as far more than administrative note taking. “You are, in effect, a policy advisor to the entire regional machinery, on both government and party matters,” he said. “It is fundamentally an advisory role, a counsellor who can work with all stakeholders, including our Members of Parliament. You must be someone who can relate across the board, and someone who can reach out effectively to the national level. It is not about being a local champion.”
As a member of the National Executive Committee, the Regional Secretary engages national executives, the President and cabinet ministers, he added. The party therefore needs “people who are transparent, knowledgeable across the board, capable, and innovative enough to lead the party into 2028.”
In earlier remarks, Ayamdor addressed questions about candidates from the same district, noting that previous Regional Secretaries and Ministers, including figures from Bongo such as Hon. Professor Avea Nsoh and Hon. Abongo, had served successfully. He argued that competence, team play and the ability to deepen party structures matter more than geographic origin. He also distinguished the freer voice of elected party officials from the constraints sometimes faced by presidential appointees, saying elected regional leaders can more candidly remind the President of campaign pledges.
Ayamdor has cited practical development results, including facilitating the construction of a children’s ward in Bongo through outreach to professionals from the constituency, as evidence of the networked, non-personal approach he would bring to the role.
The contest for Upper East Regional Secretary forms part of the NDC’s 2026 internal reorganisation. Regional elections are scheduled for 14–15 November 2026. Other declared aspirants include Pallas Apuakasi, who has cited long service on regional committees. The NDC, which returned to national power under President John Dramani Mahama in the December 2024 elections and swept all 15 parliamentary seats in the Upper East, is seeking to consolidate organisational strength ahead of the 2028 general elections.
Ayamdor concluded that while other candidates are credible, his policies and programmes would guide delegates’ decisions.
By Gayheart Abraham
Source: Mybluewavesonline.comw/Maurice Duncan/Bolgatanga
