NDC, NPP Communicators clash over which party prioritises Upper East development
NPP says Upper East loyalty to NDC has not translated into enough development
Members of the communications teams of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) have expressed differing views over which political party has contributed more to the development of the Upper East Region.
Speaking on the Big Mike Breakfast Show on Friday, May 8, a member of the NDC Communications Team in the Navrongo Central Constituency, Benjamin Biadana Abuga, argued that the NDC’s cumulative efforts over the years have significantly advanced development in the region.
According to him, several landmark projects and policies initiated under NDC governments have positively impacted the lives of residents in the Upper East Region.
Abuga traced the region’s development history to initiatives such as its connection to the national electricity grid under the late former President Jerry John Rawlings, the construction of major highways linking the northern and southern parts of the country, the introduction of the Free Compulsory Universal Basic Education programme, infrastructure expansion through the GETFund, and the establishment of the University for Development Studies.
He further highlighted recent projects in the Navrongo Central Constituency, which he said demonstrate the NDC’s commitment to the area’s development.
“In Navrongo, the NDC facilitated the full construction of the Navrongo transport yard, asphalted major town roads, completed the construction of the OLL Girls Senior High School within two years, initiated the Navrongo Town Urban Water Project valued at GH¢6.5 million, and executed the Pungu solar project, among others,” he stated.
Abuga also cited the establishment of a passport office in the region, the planned construction of the Upper East Regional Airport, and the prioritisation of inter-regional roads under the government’s Big Push initiative as further evidence of the NDC’s commitment to the development of the region.
On the other hand, Hilary Aniakwo, a member of the NPP Communications Team for the Chiana-Paga Constituency, maintained that the Upper East Region has consistently supported the NDC politically, yet the expected level of development has not been achieved.
“The Upper East Region has been voting for the NDC from the pre-1992 era to date, but that loyalty has not translated into the level of development the people deserve. We should be demanding more from the NDC, not the NPP,” he said.
Aniakwo downplayed the significance often attached to road construction and rural electrification, describing them as fundamental responsibilities of every government.
He instead credited the NPP with introducing major social intervention programmes that, according to him, have transformed livelihoods in the region.
“These include the National Health Insurance Scheme, Free Senior High School policy, School Feeding Programme, LEAP, One Village One Dam, One District One Factory, Agenda 111, and One Constituency One Ambulance,” he stated.
He urged residents of the Upper East Region to reassess their longstanding political loyalty to the NDC, insisting that the party had not done enough to justify continued support.
Mike 105.3FM I Navrongo| David Adapuna
