UPPER WEST SHOWS UNITY IN DIVERSITY (MIRROR, PAGE 35)

From George Folley Quaye, Wa

When it comes to poverty in Ghana, the Upper West Region, no doubt ranks first. However, there is one thing which has confounded people much to the surprise of the citizens of the region. This is the unity of purpose among the people, particularly the politicians known in the local parlance as “Tijaa Bungyeni” (we are all one).
The recent announcement of President J. E .A Mills’s nominees for the post of Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCE) in the country in general raised a lot of furore, anger and demonstrations among other agitations. But in the Upper West region, the oneness of the people was evident as assembly members voted 100 per cent for the nominees as chief executives.
They are; Clement Benin, Lambussie-karni, Robert Wavei, Sissala West, Alijata Sulemana, Sissala East, and Abu Kasangbata, Nadowli.
The rest are; Duogu Yakubu, Wa Municipal, Seidu Tungbani, Wa West, Ameen Salifu, Wa East and Samson Abu, Lawra.
The trepidation and fear of people gave way to joy and happiness as the various assembly halls burst into songs, the sprinkling of powder on the MMDCE’s elect amidst dancing.
Perhaps with the exception of the Wa West district, where some 13 assembly members were alleged to have demanded GH¢1000 cedis each from the nominee, everything went on well.
The action of these assembly members was condemned and branded as traitors as all of them were said to be known NDC members.
Another district which also proved difficult was Wa East, but through diplomacy by the Regional Minister, Mr Mahmud Khalid and other party executive, the nominee, Ameen Salifu sailed through.
After the tension and manoeuvring, an over elated Mr Khalid expressed his profound gratitude to all the various district assemblies for their support and sense of maturity.
“Let me also thank the media in the region for their role in getting information down to the people,” he told the media.
Mr Khalid said the contribution of all stakeholders to the success story on the confirmation of the chief executives was an ample evidence that the region was ready to work with the government.
“Finally, let me thank everybody including members of the minority parties who understood and supported in the confirmation process,” he added.