NPP Communicator challenges government to turn President’s Upper East visit into action

Thomas Kwalase, former Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) for the Chiana-Paga Constituency, has challenged the government to use President John Dramani Mahama’s visit to the Upper East Region to address pressing development concerns confronting residents.

Speaking on the Big Mike Breakfast Show on Wednesday, August 12, Kwalase said the President’s visit should go beyond inspections and engagements and provide concrete answers on issues including youth unemployment, agriculture, roads and other development projects.

He said one of his major expectations was for the President to explain what his administration had done to address youth unemployment, particularly among graduates who continue to struggle to secure jobs.

“He should tell the youth from the streets how many he has been able to recruit,” he stated.»

Kwalase also raised concerns about illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, particularly in his community of Kayoro, warning that the activity was damaging the environment and could pose serious risks to agriculture and water sources.

He disclosed that several young people had recently been arrested in Kayoro in connection with illegal mining and were expected to appear before court, stressing the need for stronger government action to address the situation.

“This government has opened the floodgates. They pretended as if they are fighting it, but it is actually on the rise,” he said.

On infrastructure, Kwalase appealed to President Mahama to pay particular attention to the Chuchuliga-Chiana-Tumu road, which he said had remained a major concern for residents over the years and had been associated with accidents and injuries.

He also questioned the government’s commitment to its promise to construct seven new stadia in 2026, asking why the Upper East Region had yet to see progress on the proposed facility despite the year being well advanced.

“Four months to the end of the year, where is the Upper East stadium?” he questioned.

Kwalase said the President’s visit should provide an opportunity for government to listen to the concerns of residents and take practical steps to address them, rather than focusing solely on political rhetoric.

He urged the government to translate the engagements and promises associated with the visit into tangible development projects and interventions that would directly improve the lives of people in the region.

Mike 105.3FM I Navrongo | Elizabeth Apusaama

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