NPP Regional Secretary criticises Mahama’s Upper East visit, demands tangible development
Daniel Ayine says the Upper East Region needs completed projects and measurable development outcomes rather than new promises, particularly in roads, healthcare and infrastructure.
The newly elected Upper East Regional Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Daniel Ayine, has criticised President John Dramani Mahama’s recent visit to the region, arguing that the commitments announced did not adequately address the area’s pressing development needs.
Speaking on the Big Mike Breakfast Show on Monday, August 17, Ayine said the Upper East Region needed tangible development projects rather than promises, particularly in critical areas such as roads, healthcare and other infrastructure.
President Mahama undertook a two-day visit to the region during which he inspected a number of projects and development sites, including the proposed Upper East Airport site and the Navrongo-Chuchuliga-Tumu road.
However, Ayine questioned the level of progress on projects he said had already been captured in government plans, particularly the proposed airport project.
He welcomed government’s commitment to the airport but argued that it should not be presented as an entirely new initiative, saying previous efforts by various stakeholders had contributed to advancing the project.
He also questioned the availability of funding and the timeline for implementing major road projects, noting that road construction typically requires feasibility studies, procurement processes and financing arrangements before physical construction can begin.
According to him, several road projects initiated under the previous NPP administration had reached advanced stages before the change of government.
He cited the Navrongo-Naga road and other road projects in parts of the region, arguing that significant preparatory works, including the construction of culverts and bridges, had already been undertaken.
“All that I can say is that the visit does not commensurate with what the region has given him,” he said.
Ayine maintained that the Upper East Region deserved greater investment in tangible development projects, given what he described as the region’s historical support for successive governments.
The NPP Regional Secretary also criticised what he described as inadequate attention to healthcare infrastructure, particularly the stalled Agenda 111 hospital projects.
He argued that completing existing hospital projects would have a more direct impact on residents while creating employment opportunities for health professionals.
Ayine also defended some major initiatives introduced under previous NPP administrations, including the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) programme, the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) and the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) programme.
He argued that the initiatives had provided significant support to ordinary Ghanaians and should be recognised for their impact.
He further criticised the government’s proposed 24-hour economy-related market initiatives, suggesting that resources could instead be channelled into completing critical infrastructure projects already under construction.
Ayine also called for stronger accountability from Members of Parliament in the Upper East Region.
He said MPs should go beyond participating in parliamentary proceedings and actively lobby for development projects while investing in human capital development within their constituencies.
He urged residents to assess elected representatives based on measurable development outcomes and their contribution to improving the lives of constituents.
Ayine said the NPP would continue to reorganise its structures and engage with voters ahead of the 2028 general elections, with the aim of regaining parliamentary seats across the Upper East Region.
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