The National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketia, on April 28, 2026, continued his nationwide Thank You Tour with a series of engagements across the Upper East Region, covering Bolgatanga Municipality, Sandema, and Fumbisi.

The second day of the tour saw the NDC leadership interacting with party executives, supporters, and traditional authorities, expressing gratitude for their overwhelming support during the 2024 general elections.

In Bolgatanga, Chairman Asiedu Nketia met with party faithful at the GNAT Hall, where he commended them for their unwavering dedication to the party. He specifically praised constituents for retaining the Member of Parliament for Bolgatanga Central, Isaac Adongo, in the last election.

Addressing the gathering, the NDC Chairman assured supporters of the party’s commitment to fulfilling its promises. He acknowledged the high expectations among party members and supporters but emphasized that meaningful development takes time.
“Good things do not happen overnight; they require time to grow and mature, he stated, urging patience and continued support from the grassroots.

He further highlighted that the party’s return to power has already begun yielding positive results for the country, compared to the period when the NDC was in opposition.

Chairman Asiedu Nketia also expressed profound appreciation to individuals and groups who contributed financially and made personal sacrifices to ensure the party’s victory in the 2024 elections.
From Bolgatanga, the NDC delegation moved to Sandema, where the Chairman paid a courtesy call on the Paramount Chief of the Sandema Traditional Area. During the meeting, the chief outlined key developmental challenges facing the area, notably unemployment and poor road infrastructure.

The Paramount Chief appealed to the NDC leadership to prioritize these concerns, stressing the urgent need for interventions to improve livelihoods in the area.

Responding to the concerns, Chairman Asiedu Nketia assured the traditional authority of the government’s commitment to addressing the challenges raised, noting that such issues remain a priority on the party’s development agenda.

At Fumbisi in the Builsa South Constituency, the Constituency Chairman, Caesar Santos, also highlighted pressing challenges confronting the area. These included unemployment, poor road networks, unreliable electricity supply, and inadequate infrastructure.

Chairman Asiedu Nketia reiterated that the purpose of the Thank You Tour is not only to express gratitude but also to reconnect with the grassroots and better understand the needs of the people.

He emphasized that the overwhelming endorsement of the NDC in the Upper East Region, where the party secured all 15 parliamentary seats in the 2024 elections, reflects the confidence reposed in the party by the supporters and must be matched with responsible leadership and development focused governance.

The Thank You Tour is expected to continue in other parts of the country as the NDC leadership seeks to strengthen its bond with supporters and reaffirm its commitment to national development.

Source – gbcuraonline.com

The National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketia, popularly known as Chairman General, has ended his two day visit to the Upper East Region as part of his nationwide Thank You Tour from April 27 to 28, 2026.

He was accompanied by the National Vice Chairman and other party officials from Accra and Kumasi, together with key regional figures including the Upper East Regional Minister, Donatus Atanga Akamugri, Daniel Mahama Duut, the Member of Parliament for Talensi, and executives of the party in the region.

The visit was to express appreciation to the electorate for returning the NDC to power and to provide updates on the government’s performance.

On the first day of the tour, Mr. Asiedu Nketia visited four districts, Talensi, Nabdam, Bongo, and Bolgatanga East, where he met party members and local stakeholders.

He used the opportunity to encourage members of the party to remain calm and committed, particularly in light of concerns raised by some youth regarding employment, roads, and other development issues.
As part of his engagements, the National Chairman paid a courtesy call on the Paramount Chiefs of all four districts, including the Paramount Chief of the Talensi Traditional Area, Tongraan Kugbilsong Nalebegtang. During the visit, the Chief commended government for ongoing development projects in the area and called for continued peace and unity to support development efforts.
The visit was generally calm and well organised, with party supporters turning out in modest numbers across the districts to welcome the delegation. The interactions remained focused and orderly, reflecting the purpose of the tour as one of appreciation and engagement rather than celebration.

The tour continues with further engagements across the region as part of the party’s nationwide outreach, as the leadership seeks to strengthen its connection with the grassroots and maintain confidence among its supporters.

Source : gbcuraonline.com

Thirty five (35) former Regional Executives of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Upper East Region led by Alhaji Issah Sanusi, former regional director of communication, have formally declared their unflinching support for Alhaji Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia as the party’s preferred flagbearer for the 2028 General Elections.

At a press conference held at the NPP Regional Party Office in Bolgatanga on Friday January 23 2026. The former executives announced their collective decision following what they described as careful scrutiny of all five aspirants and deep reflection on the future of the party.

1. Speaking on behalf of the group, the leadership emphasized that their endorsement is driven by the urgent need to rebuild the party, unite its base, and recapture political power from the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).

“After extensive consultation and objective assessment, we are convinced that Alhaji Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia represents the best possible choice for the NPP in 2028,” the statement read.

Why Bawumia?

The former executives outlined four main reasons for their support:

1. Leadership and Electability
They described Dr. Bawumia as a candidate with the caliber, experience, and national appeal required to lead the NPP back to victory in a highly competitive political environment.

2. Experience and Political Consistency
Having led the party into the 2024 elections and served as Vice President of the Republic of Ghana, Dr. Bawumia brings invaluable experience. The group noted that the party’s tradition of giving its leaders a second opportunity has often proven to be a winning strategy.

3. Competence and Character
According to the executives, Dr. Bawumia has consistently demonstrated competence, humility, dedication, and resourcefulness qualities essential for rebuilding the party and steering Ghana toward sustainable progress.

4. Vision for Ghana
They highlighted his inclusive and people centered vision, which focuses on human development, innovation, and sustainable socio economic transformation. His ideas, they said, resonate with the aspirations of Ghanaians across all age groups.
Call to Party Delegates

The group concluded by urging all delegates of the New Patriotic Party to rally behind Dr. Bawumia during the party’s upcoming presidential primary scheduled for January 31,2026.

“We therefore call on all delegates of the New Patriotic Party to support Alhaji Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia to lead the NPP into the 2028 General Elections and secure victory for our great party.”

Source – gbcuraonline.com

The airwaves of GBC URA Radio (89.7Mhz) in Bolgatanga buzzed with political insights on Monday, May 5th, 2025, as Reverend John Ntim Fordjour, the Ranking Member of Parliament for Defense and Interior, graced the URA Sunrise morning show. Hosted by Kimo, the weekday program focusing on developmental, community, and political issues within Ghana, dedicated a significant segment to the ongoing “Thank You Tour” of the Upper East Region by His Excellency Dr. Mahamoud Bawumia, the former flagbearer and former Vice President of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

Reverend Ntim Fordjour, accompanied by the Communications Director of the NPP for the Upper East, arrived at the studios clad in white, a visual cue that Kimo playfully noted symbolized a “happy day” associated with the tour. The interview, which aired approximately nine minutes past 9:00 am, provided a platform for Reverend Ntim to articulate the significance and impact of Dr. Bawumia’s visit to the region.

Kimo warmly welcomed the Reverend, acknowledging his presence alongside the NPP Communications Director. Reverend Ntim reciprocated the greetings, expressing his pleasure at being on the show and in the Upper East Region.

The central theme of the discussion revolved around the “Thank You Tour,” an initiative by Dr. Bawumia to express gratitude to the people of the Upper East for their support. Reverend Ntim emphasized the importance of acknowledging the contributions of the constituents and highlighted the positive reception the former Vice President had received.

The focus remained firmly on the appreciation aspect of the tour. The tour conveyed a tone of gratitude and engagement with the local populace.

Later during the one-on-one session, Reverend Ntim offered some “last words for the people of Bolga,” extending his appreciation in the local dialect, “Ye Bilika, Mposia,” which translates to “Good morning, thank you very much.” He expressed his enjoyment of his experience in the region and his hope for a return visit.

Reverend Ntim also conveyed Dr. Bawumia’s gratitude to all, including those who voted, those who campaigned, and even those who did not participate in the electoral process. Looking ahead, he expressed optimism that when presented with another opportunity to vote, the people would “do him kind for the sake of restoring the fortunes of this country” and support his vision for national transformation.

The interview touched upon the importance of responsible communication, particularly for young individuals. Reverend Ntim cautioned against attacking the reputations of others, emphasizing that individuals would be held accountable under the law for defamatory actions and would not receive financial assistance to cover damages awarded against them. This segment served as a broader message on ethical conduct and the legal ramifications of irresponsible speech.

In conclusion, Reverend John Ntim Fordjour’s appearance on URA Sunrise provided a platform to highlight Dr. Mahamoud Bawumia’s “Thank You Tour” in the Upper East Region. The interaction underscored the theme of gratitude and appreciation for the support received, while also touching on the importance of responsible conduct. The broadcast offered listeners in Bolgatanga and the wider region a direct insight into the ongoing political engagements within Ghana.

GBC, Bolgatanga, URA Radio’s  legal Education program, “Our Lawyer”, has resumed its weekly broadcast  following a temporary break.

The show comes  with a rebranded and dynamic format designed to demystify complex legal concepts, issues and offers expert analysis of court rulings that impact Ghana’s democratic framework which includes the pivotal mandamus case involving the Electoral Commission(EC), the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

The return of “Our Lawyer”  hosted by Prosper Adankai coincides with a crucial judicial ruling by the High Court of Ghana, scheduled for January 4, 2025, on a mandamus application that has sparked national debate.

The case, filed by the New Democratic Congress (NDC), challenges a court order obtained by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) compelling the Electoral Commission (EC) to finalize the collation of parliamentary results in several constituencies.

The NDC argued that the order was granted without giving them the opportunity to be heard, a violation of their constitutional rights under Article 23 of the 1992 Constitution, which upholds the principles of natural justice.

Lawyer Jallaldeen Abdulai, the Regional Director of CHRAJ explained the Supreme Court decision, as per the  ruling indicates that the NDC had been denied a fair hearing and directing the High Court to allow them to join the case and present their arguments.

He added that the judicial development highlights critical issues surrounding electoral justice in Ghana and the  case underscores the judiciary’s role in ensuring procedural fairness and could establish new precedents for resolving electoral disputes in future elections. The Supreme Court’s emphasis on fairness demonstrates the importance of transparent legal processes in strengthening Ghana’s democratic credentials, he explained’’.

The key parties in this case include the NDC, which seeks to protect its rights in the electoral process; the NPP, which advocates for the expedited collation of results; the Electoral Commission, tasked with managing the electoral system; and the judiciary, which remains a critical arbiter in such disputes. The outcome of this ruling is expected to influence how electoral cases are addressed, potentially reshaping the legal landscape surrounding election management in Ghana.

The North East Regional Minister, Mr.Yidana Zakaria has called on all actors in the Yunyoo/Nasuan District of the North East Region to play their respective roles without fear or favour during the upcoming 2024 general elections.

Mr.Yidana Zakaria made these remarks in a ceremony on Tuesday, 3rd December 2024 when He commissioned an ultra-modern Warehouse at Gbingbani in the Yunyoo/Nasuan District of the North East Region, under the Gulf of Guinea Northern Regions Social Cohesion (SOCO) Project

Mr.Yidana Zakaria emphasized the importance of peace in the District as the nation prepare for the upcoming elections and urged political parties, candidates, and supporters to conduct their activities with respect for the law and one another, avoiding actions that could incite violence or disturb the peace.

The Yunyoo/Nasuan District Chief Executive, Mr. Konlan Bittan On his part said “the inauguration of the Grain Storage Warehouse is one of the numerous projects being carried out in the district by the government and Projects such as expansion and rehabilitation of social infrastructure, access to Roads, Markets, Water, energy and youth Empowerment among others are on going in the District.

The inauguration of the new facility is to support economic, agricultural and industrial activities in the District

The ceremony was graced by Chiefs, Security service, SOCO representative, School children and Many More.

Source – gbcuraonline.com

The North East Regional minister Mr. Yidana Zakaria has said that the impact of the region’s share of the big SOCO project package has been great on the beneficiary communities across the length and breath of the young region.

Mr. Yidana who made these known in a recent media engagement at Nalerigu, the regional capital indicated that under the project substantial investments were made in key sectors of the local economy which directly impacted the well-being of the people in the year 2023.

According to the regional minister 9 schools were put up to ensure more children have access to quality education, 8 health facilities were also built enhancing healthcare services for the people, 9 rural market structures constructed providing opportunities for local traders and boosting economic growth in these communities, 2 rural roads were also constructed to facilitate better connectivity and access within the region.

In the area of water and sanitation he said 18 WASH facilities were put up for an improved hygiene and access to clean water in underserved communities in addition to the 4 youth development centres implemented offering valuable opportunities for young people to engage in meaningful activities and skills development.

These efforts he intimated have culminated in the 51 projects dotted around the North East Region.

In 2024 he said 89 subprojects were earmarked for implementation in the region as indicated below; 23 school infrastructure, 5 CHPS Compounds, 18 social infrastructure, 39 WASH facilities, a fire service bungalow as well as 3 equipment and other supplies.

Additionally, the minister said about 400 Common Interest Groups were expected to benefit from the Local Economic Development, LED Grant Model which would eventually benefit over 8,000 people of the region. Some of the notable activities of the youth engagement component he said would include youth parliaments and debates, intercultural dance displays, inter-cluster football competitions, youth sensitization and many interested youth program.

Mr.Yidana announced that award letters were being issued out and contractors were being taken to the various project sites for site possessions.

In a concluding remark, he said the SOCO project received unwavering support from the President and Vice President who doubled as the presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party, NPP. As a resulit of the success stories of the project so far the government was considering request for additional financing to expand in order to benefit the remaining 16 non-beneficiary districts in the six implementing regions of Ghana.

Source – gbcuraonline.com

Political Parties Dialogue dubbed ‘ Democracy 360 for sustaining inclusive civic engagement to track party manifestoes beyond elections’ has been organized for the the three Parliamentary Candidates for Bolgatanga Central Constituency in the Upper East Region, sponsored by Star Ghana Foundation with funding from Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office, and implemented by RISE-GHANA in partnership with National Commission For Civic Education NCCE, and in attendance were also CSOs, the Upper East Regional Chief Imam , traditional authorities, People With Disabilities PWDs, Market women ,cando drivers, students from Senior High Schools and the political parties’ executives, supporters and the general public. In his welcome address, the Bolgatanga Municipal Director of NCCE, Mr Omar Jafar Al-Sadiq, said the Commission was highly elated for the Parliamentary Candidates Dialogue, coming to live in Bolgatanga Central, owing to effective collaboration received from RISE -Ghana, which is a civil society organization operating in Bolgatanga Municipality and also grateful to all the stakeholders who turned out massively to give their support to the engagement with the PCs in Constituency. According to him, as part of their citizens engagements for peaceful general assembly process towards 2024 general elections, and beyond, the commission seeks to use the opportunity to admonish political party activists to conduct their campaigns with decrom for peace, before, during and after the election 2024. He stated that Parliamentary Candidates Dialogue program of the commission started since 2004, which is convened after launching of a research titled ‘Matters of Concern(MoC), to the Ghanaian voters , to enhance issue -based political campaigns and voter education and for this year the findings reported that ,18.3% of the voters wants improved Education, Employment 15.7%, Health 12.5%, Roads and Infrastructure 10.0% follow by Economy 7.2% and Agriculture 6.9% . Therefore the purpose of the the Dialogue includes; providing a platform for the candidates to share their vision for the Constituency, soliciting their commitment to non-violence and issue -based campaign and to ensure tolerance and peace, before, during and after the 2024 general elections in the Country.

The executive director of RISE-GHANA, the implementing agency, Alhajj Awal Ahmed Kariamah, cited the Afrobarometer’s report that says only 13% of the electorates thinks and feels that their views are heard and acted upon by their elected representatives (MPS) and about 35% of the local officers (Assembly persons) listen to them and represent their views in the assemblies which he described as quite serious because, we have a very strong local governance system in Ghana which allows the citizens to make inputs during planning and budgeting, even in parliament. He underscored the importance of the social contract between the electorates and the political parties in their manifestoes and asked that, any political party that used compelling reasons to win their votes to always honor their promises and also urged the electorates to demand accountability from them, not to vote and go back to sleep till another cycle of voting year, when they will come around again for their votes. According to him, that is the more reason why they brought the Democracy 360 dialogue, to ensure that, the voices of first time voters, underrepresented groups, PWDS, the minority group etc voices, views and concerns will be part to shape the policies and manifestoes of the political parties, adding that whoever that will be voted for, as president or MP, should know that they are president or MP for all, and that is why RISE-GHANA in partnership with NCCE ,Star Ghana foundation and Foreign Commonwealth Development Office, are collaborating in this critical time with the political parties to see, how they can increase visibility of citizens in Ghana’s Democratic processes, and accountability of the elected leaders.
The Bolgatanga Municipal Police Commander, DSP Edward Yaw Asante, reminder the participants that, election times are periods of expressing their choices and should never be a reason for divisions, because peace is a foundation of any prosperous nation and they should promote tolerance and respect for each other and opinions as they are part of the society. He assured Ghanaians that, the police is ready to ensure that, their rights are protected, but will need their support too, and urged them to follow the rules and remain calm and respect the process for peaceful election. He advised that after the election wether their preferred candidate wins or lose, to remember their unity as people is more important than an individual or political outcome, adding that elections will come and go and they must live together beyond elections.
The Parliamentary Candidates keenly vying for Bolgatanga Constituency seat, who took part in the political dialogue were Hon. Isaac Adongo, the incumbent, of National Democratic Congress, NDC, Hon. Elvis Atia Awonekai Figo of the New Patriotic Party, NPP and Hon. Peter Akunlebe for People National Convention,PNC shared their parties’ policies in education, poverty alleviation, health improvement, infrastructure development, Agriculture amongst others very well to the gathering,followed by questions and answers sessions from the CSOs, students and the audience ,and all the PCs who were very grateful for the opportunity,answered them eloquently to the admirations of their supporters amidst with cheers and praises after which, all of them pledged their unflinching commitment to peaceful election and assured them to account for their stewardship when voted to power to represent them.
The Upper East Regional director of NCCE, Mr Ayaala Abdulai admonished all of them especially the students who are up to 18 years to go and vote without violence for peace before, during and after the 7th December general elections and expressed his gratitude to all the stakeholders for the successful dialogue.

Source – gbcuraonline.com

Parliamentary candidates for the Bolgatanga Central constituency participated in a lively debate at the GNAT Hall in Bolgatanga, hosted by the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) in collaboration with Rise Ghana. This event, themed “Democracy 360: sustaining Inclusive Civic Engagement to track party manifestos beyond elections” gave constituents a unique opportunity to hear directly from the candidates as they outlined their plans for the region ahead of the upcoming 2024 elections.

The debate featured incumbent MP Isaac Adongo of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), who highlighted his development projects and expressed optimism in retaining his seat. His primary challenger, New Patriotic Party (NPP) candidate Elvis Atia Figo Awonekai, contested Adongo’s performance and emphasized his own track record and ideas as reasons to vote for change. The People’s National Convention (PNC) candidate, Peter Akulibe, presented himself as the most seasoned politician among the three and invoked the legacy of former President Dr. Hilla Liman in his campaign.

The event drew large crowds and vocal support from the NPP and NDC, creating an energetic atmosphere as each candidate made their case. The NCCE aimed to create an inclusive environment, allowing constituents such as first-time voters, market women, and people with disabilities to engage with the candidates through a question-and-answer session. Attendees raised issues including job accessibility and financial barriers in education.

Upper East Regional NCCE Director Abdulai Ayala encouraged citizens to avoid violence and respect election regulations. In a post-debate interview with GBC, URA radio, Rise Ghana Director, Mr. Awal Kariyama expressed gratitude to the candidates for their participation and highlighted the debate’s diversity and broad community representation. He commended media outlets like A1 Radio for live-streaming the event and thanked GBC and TV3 for coverage.

Addressing concerns about potential election-related violence, Kariyama dismissed recent tensions between NPP and NDC supporters as ordinary political disagreements and urged voters to conduct themselves peacefully. He stated, “Ghana will be the winner in this election,” reminding voters to cast their ballots and return home peacefully.

The debate concluded with a positive gesture of unity as candidates from opposing parties embraced, signaling their commitment to a peaceful election process.

The North East Regional Minister Mr. Yidana Zakaria bemoaned expressions by opposition political elements that the Gulf of Guinea Northern Regions Social Cohesion, SOCO Project was not a Non-Governmental Organisation but a Government of Ghana project in partnership with the World Bank calling on the media and the general public to disregard statements being made that SOCO project communities were selected based on political affiliations. Hon. Yidana made these known during a media engagement on the Phase 1 completed SOCO projects of the North East Region in Nalerigu the regional capital.

He indicated that the project was being implemented in three components such as Infrastructure, Local Economic Development and Youth led adding that it captured 48 out of 64 Districts of the North as beneficiaries involving 1,700 communities.

Describing it as a game changer for the five regions of the north, Hon. Yidana said the five year World Bank funded project was being implemented in phases by the Government through the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development.. He also stated that the project saw the execution of 530 infrastructural subprojects across the operational area of SOCO with an estimated investment of GHC 184,777,.742.07 funded from Ghana’s USD150 million package from the USD450 million initial released for the SOCO Project.

Mr. Yidana intimated that the project was designed to address the complex challenges faced by the northern regions of the Gulf of Guinea countries such as Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire, Togo and Benin adding these regions have long been grappling with vulnerabilities as food insecurity, climate change, conflict and violence which led to high levels of fragility. He said that the aforementioned challenges made some members of the youth and communities susceptible to extremist ideologies which further exacerbated regional instability saying it was in the light of these that the SOCO project sought to support the most affected areas in Ghana’s Upper East, Upper West, Northern, North East, Savannah and Oti Regions. The minister who gave the breakdown of the 530 projects as 33 roads and culverts, 59 classroom blocks with teacher accommodations, 73 rural markets, 66 health facilities as well as 210 water systems added that the tangible impact of the project has been the over 6,200 jobs involving 3,800 unskilled labour opportunities, 2,000 skilled labour positions and 426 community facilitator roles.

Mr. Yidana further indicated that through the engagement on infrastructure sites, 3, 748 individuals had earned GHC 5,379,914 during the first year of project implementation. He added that 24,652 women with productive assets such as tools, materials and equipment received support from the project for enhance greater economic independence.

The project according to him strengthened social cohesion, peace and unity as well as efforts to prevent violent extremism especially during sensitive political periods which led to the establishment of 8 new sports facilities serving over 8,000, a platform for youth engagement and community interaction. Project organised 20 sporting events and 15 cultural festival which brought together communities fostering unity and mutual understanding.

The minister therefore called on all stakeholders including traditional rulers, opinion leaders and community members to support moves towards ensuring the sustainance of peace so as to enhance the impact of these projects on the beneficiary communities. The absence of peace according to him meant the withdrawal of World Bank support thereby spelling doom for the project communities.

Responding to some questions from the media, Mr. Alhassan Osman, a CDD/CB specialist of SOCO explained that the criteria for selecting project communities included; poverty and inclusivity, exposer to climate change risks, security risk and proximity to border among other factors.

Source – gbcuraonline.com