By Casper Sunday Kampoli
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) government will do more to accelerate development in the Upper East Region, despite concerns raised by the Chief of Kotintaabig, Naab Bileehsong Lanwont Namoog, about the pace of development in the region.
In a widely circulated video, the revered traditional leader openly criticised the NDC government, calling for increased development in the Upper East Region as a way of reciprocating the overwhelming support and loyalty the people have consistently demonstrated towards the party.
His call for more development is legitimate and deserves serious consideration. Like every other region in Ghana, the Upper East Region deserves its fair share of national development, particularly in areas where its developmental challenges require targeted interventions.
However, while agreeing with the Chief’s call for accelerated development, I respectfully disagree with some of the assertions he made regarding the NDC, its Members of Parliament and the political choices of the people of the Upper East Region.
The NDC’s Electoral Support Is Not a Sign of Complacency
The Chief suggested that the NDC takes the people of the Upper East Region for granted because the region is traditionally considered a stronghold of the party. He further argued that underperforming NDC Members of Parliament continue to secure re-election despite what he considers unsatisfactory performance.
With due respect, this argument does not sufficiently reflect the political history and democratic choices of the people of the region.
The people of the Upper East Region are politically conscious and capable of making informed electoral decisions. Their continued support for the NDC should not be interpreted as blind loyalty or an inability to hold political representatives accountable.
Indeed, several constituencies in the region have, at different times, elected Members of Parliament from parties other than the NDC before returning to elect NDC candidates.
Constituencies such as Bolgatanga Central, Navrongo Central, Bawku Central, Builsa South, Tempane, Chiana-Paga, Binduri and Nabdam have all experienced changes in parliamentary representation, with the NPP featuring prominently among the alternative political choices.
Today, the fact that all 15 constituencies in the region are represented by NDC MPs reflects the electoral decisions of the people. It should not automatically be interpreted as evidence that voters are unwilling to demand accountability from their representatives.
The people have the right to assess political parties and candidates based on their records, policies, performance and development agenda.
Sacrificing NDC MPs Is Not a Guaranteed Path to Development
The Chief also suggested that some sitting NDC MPs may need to be sacrificed electorally to accelerate development in the region.
While accountability and effective parliamentary representation are essential, respectfully, there is no evidence that simply electing opposition MPs will automatically translate into accelerated development.
The people of the region have previously experienced parliamentary representation from different political parties and have made their choices based on their assessment of the available alternatives.
Every NDC MP, regardless of constituency, has a responsibility to lobby for development projects and ensure that their constituents receive an equitable share of national resources.
Rather than suggesting that changing parliamentary representation is the solution, the focus should be on strengthening accountability, improving representation and ensuring that government delivers on its promises.
The NPP Cannot Escape Accountability for the Region’s Development Challenges
The Chief further suggested that the people of the Upper East Region cannot blame the NPP for the region’s developmental challenges because the area has traditionally supported the NDC.
Respectfully, this position misses a fundamental principle of democratic governance.
A government elected into office governs the entire country, not only regions and constituencies that voted for its political party.
For instance, if governments were expected to prioritise only areas that voted for them, there would be no justification for an NDC government to undertake major development projects in the Ashanti Region, just as an NPP government would have no reason to implement its Free Senior High School policy in the Upper East Region.
National development must be inclusive and must not be determined by political voting patterns.
Therefore, the NPP, having governed the country for several years, cannot be absolved of responsibility for the developmental challenges confronting the Upper East Region.
The NDC’s Developmental Contributions to the Upper East Region
Admittedly, the NDC government can and must do more for the people of the Upper East Region. However, it is equally important to acknowledge the developmental initiatives, projects and policies implemented under successive NDC administrations, including the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC).
Among these contributions are:
1. Rural Electrification: NDC governments have played a significant role in extending electricity to several communities across the region through rural electrification initiatives.
2. Road Infrastructure: Successive NDC administrations have contributed significantly to road infrastructure connecting the Upper East Region to the North East, Northern and Savannah Regions, as well as other parts of the country.
3. Higher Education: The establishment of the University of Technology and Applied Sciences (UTAS), which developed from the University for Development Studies (UDS) campus in Navrongo, represents an important contribution to higher education in the region.
4. Human Capital Development: NDC governments have also implemented interventions in education, healthcare, youth empowerment, women’s empowerment and other areas aimed at improving livelihoods.
More Developmental Programmes Under the Current NDC Government
Since assuming office on January 7, 2025, the current NDC administration has continued to introduce and implement programmes intended to improve living conditions across the country, including the Upper East Region.
Among the initiatives highlighted are:
- Free Primary Healthcare: All 15 Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) in the Upper East Region are included in the 150 pilot districts for the government’s Free Primary Healthcare initiative.
- 24-Hour Economy Markets: The region’s 15 MMDAs are also benefiting from the government’s model 24-hour economy market initiative.
- Adwumawura Programme: An intervention designed to support young people to establish and grow businesses.
- One Million Coders Programme: An initiative aimed at equipping young people with digital skills to improve their employment and entrepreneurial opportunities.
- National Apprenticeship Programme: A skills-development intervention intended to provide practical vocational training and employment opportunities for young people.
- No-Fees-Stress Policy: A policy intended to ease the financial burden on students pursuing tertiary education.
Additionally, the government recently launched the Ghana Women and Youth Employment and Social Cohesion Programme Loan Scheme, alongside TVET and digital skills training initiatives in the Upper East Region.
These interventions are expected to create opportunities for young people and women through access to financing, vocational training, digital skills and other forms of economic empowerment.
The Upper East Region Deserves More, and the NDC Must Deliver
Ultimately, the call for accelerated development in the Upper East Region is justified. The people deserve better roads, improved healthcare facilities, quality educational infrastructure, employment opportunities, reliable water supply and stronger economic opportunities.
Our Members of Parliament must continue to lobby aggressively for their respective constituencies, while the government must demonstrate its commitment through tangible and measurable development projects.
The NDC recognises the confidence the people of the Upper East Region have consistently reposed in the party. That confidence comes with enormous responsibility.
The people are not asking for favours. They are demanding their fair share of national development.
As a party that enjoys considerable electoral support in the region, the NDC must continue to work hard, listen to legitimate concerns and deliver on its promises.
The Upper East Region deserves more, and the NDC government must do more. I am confident that it will.
Mybluewavesonline.Com/ Maurice Duncan/ Bolgatanga
