Monica Bakiva, aspirant for Regional Deputy Women Organizer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Upper East Region, has praised ongoing infrastructure projects and women-focused programmes while urging patience from youth over delayed campaign promises.
Speaking on the Bluewaves Breakfast Show, Bakiva highlighted improvements on key roads under the government’s Big Push initiative. She noted that the road leading towards the Upper West, which passes through her hometown area, has seen significant progress.
“From Chuchuliga to Chiana, the journey used to take about 40 minutes and you would be crawling. Today, even though the work is not finished, it takes less than 10 minutes,” she said. Bakiva also reported that work is ongoing on the Sandema road, with sections tiled or compacted and contractors actively on site, eliminating previous potholes.
On women’s empowerment, she pointed to several government interventions. The Adwumawura Programme, rolled out nationally last year and again this year, has opened applications through a portal, with training underway in the region. The majority of beneficiaries are women, she stressed, citing their vulnerability.
She also cited the School Feeding Programme, which prioritises women as caterers so they can earn income for their families; MASLOC loans being extended to women’s groups of five to 20 members rather than individuals; and the 24-Hour Economy market projects, including one in Bolgatanga East, which she said would provide secure trading spaces for women currently constrained by insecurity and poor facilities.
Bakiva further mentioned the nkoko nkitinkit programme, under which many women have received chickens and other animals for rearing, describing it as a sustainable initiative that encourages livestock farming.
Turning to youth concerns, she acknowledged frustration over unfulfilled NDC promises for an airport, a standard stadium, and other facilities in the Upper East Region. “We are barely two years in office,” she said, appealing for patience. She noted that the Regional Minister had recently returned from Accra after engagements related to these projects and that pictures of him with the Sports Minister signalled that work on the stadium site would begin soon.
“We do not have a recreational centre in the region, and sports is gradually dying because there are no facilities,” Bakiva added, emphasising that a standard stadium remains a personal priority given her background in physical education.
On the economy, she openly acknowledged the hardships facing ordinary Ghanaians, pointing to the exchange rate of around GH₵11.66 to the dollar and rising fuel prices. While noting opposition claims that the NDC should not blame external factors such as the Iran–US conflict, she said prices were indeed rising and that citizens were feeling the impact.
“It is sad. I acknowledge the pain. I appeal for patience as the government continues to work to cushion the ordinary Ghanaian,” she stated.
Bakiva reaffirmed her commitment to the welfare of women and youth in the region and appealed for support in her bid for the position of Regional Deputy Women Organizer.
“Together, we can ensure that women are empowered, the youth are supported, and our region receives its fair share of development,” she concluded.
By Gayheart Abraham
Source: Mybluewavesonline.com/Maurice Duncan/Bolgatanga
