NPP, NDC communicators clash over development record in Upper East Region

Communicators of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Navrongo Central Constituency have expressed divergent views on the NDC government’s development record in the Upper East Region following the party’s unprecedented parliamentary victory in the region during the 2024 general elections.

The disagreement follows growing public concerns over whether the NDC government has adequately translated its electoral success, which saw the party win all 15 parliamentary seats in the region, into tangible development for the people.

Speaking on the Big Mike Breakfast Show Friday November 6, a member of the NDC Communications Team in the Navrongo Central Constituency, Godfred Apolala described as unfair suggestions that the party had neglected the region despite securing all 15 parliamentary seats.

“If anyone says we have swept all the parliamentary seats but have not done anything for the region, that is not fair,” he said.

In defence of the government’s record, Apolala cited the GH¢8.6 billion PEARL initiative, road construction projects, the Free Primary Healthcare initiative, District Economy Markets, establishment of a Passport office and the selection some Agenda 111 projects for completion as interventions he said were benefiting residents of the region.

He maintained that development was taking place across the 15 constituencies, citing ongoing and planned infrastructure projects, including roads, bridges, health and educational facilities.

Apolala further argued that the region’s Members of Parliament were actively lobbying for development projects while representing their constituents and raising their concerns on the floor of Parliament.

He acknowledged, however, that although the government had made some progress, more needed to be done to address the region’s development needs.

But a member of the NPP in the Navrongo Central Constituency, Idrissu Amadu disagreed with the assessment, accusing the NDC government of showing insufficient commitment to the development of the Upper East Region.

He argued that several major promises made by the NDC ahead of the 2024 general elections remained unfulfilled, raising questions about the government’s commitment to the region.

Among the outstanding promises he cited were the establishment of Farmers’ Services Centres, the revival of dormant industries, including the Zuarungu Meat Factory and the Pwalugu Tomato Factory, and the establishment of a Women’s Development Bank.

Amadu also mentioned the proposed upgrade of the Navrongo War Memorial Hospital into a teaching hospital, the construction of a military hospital in Bolgatanga, the establishment of a fund to support Zongo development and the completion of the Navrongo Youth Resource Centre.

He said the failure to demonstrate clear progress on these commitments, nearly two years into the government’s tenure, had left residents questioning whether the region’s development was receiving the attention it deserved.

“Upper East has given much to the NDC, but they seem not to be serious with its development,” he said.

Although Amadu acknowledged that the NDC government had introduced some initiatives that could benefit the region, he maintained that these had not adequately matched the expectations and trust reposed in the party by voters during the 2024 elections.

Mike 105.3 FM I Navrongo | David Adapuna