UE/R: SOCO PROJECT FACILITATORS URGED TO WORK HARD FOR THE SUCCESS OF THE PROJECT – DCE NABDAM
By – Sadat Dabo
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) Upper East Regional Communication Officer-elect, Casper S. Kampoli, has launched a strong rebuttal against the Chief of Kotintaabig, Naab Bileehsong Lanwont Namoog, following the traditional ruler’s public criticism of the NDC government over what he considers inadequate development in the Upper East Region
In a detailed response to a widely circulated video in which the Chief called on the governing NDC to reciprocate the region’s overwhelming political support with meaningful development, Mr Kampoli acknowledged that the region deserves more investment but rejected several assertions made by the traditional ruler
He described the Chief’s demand for accelerated development as legitimate and justified, stressing that the Upper East Region, like every other part of Ghana, deserves its fair share of national development
However, he disagreed with the suggestion that the NDC takes the region for granted because of its traditional status as a political stronghold
‘Upper East Voters Are Not Naïve’ — Kampoli Defends NDC’s 15 MPs
One of the strongest points in Mr Kampoli’s response was his defence of the electorate in the Upper East Region, following the Chief’s suggestion that voters repeatedly re-elect non-performing NDC Members of Parliament because of their loyalty to the party
According to him, the argument does not reflect the political history or voting decisions of the people.
He maintained that voters in the region make informed political choices and that the NDC has consistently demonstrated why it remains their preferred political alternative
Mr Kampoli pointed to constituencies including Bolgatanga Central, Navrongo Central, Bawku Central, Builsa South, Tempane, Chiana-Paga, Binduri and Nabdam, which have previously elected non-NDC parliamentarians before returning to the NDC
He argued that the NDC’s current control of all 15 parliamentary seats in the region should be viewed as a reflection of the party’s political appeal and electoral performance
“Any suggestion that voters of the Upper East Region are naïve or simplistic must be rejected,” he stressed
Rejects Calls to Sacrifice NDC MPs
The NDC Regional Communication Officer-elect also pushed back against the Chief’s suggestion that some sitting NDC MPs may need to be sacrificed electorally to accelerate development in the region
Mr Kampoli insisted that all 15 NDC MPs are working to secure development opportunities for their respective constituencies and argued that voting for the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) does not automatically guarantee development
He further noted that residents have previously experienced NPP representation and have chosen to give the NDC another opportunity to represent them
His response effectively places the performance of the NDC’s 15 MPs at the centre of an emerging debate over political accountability and development in the region
He further argued that developments in human capital, education, healthcare infrastructure, youth empowerment and women’s empowerment demonstrate that the region has not been abandoned.
NPP Cannot Escape Blame for Upper East’s Development Challenges
On the Chief’s assertion that the NPP should not be blamed for the region’s developmental challenges because the Upper East has traditionally supported the NDC, Mr Kampoli described the argument as fundamentally flawed.
He maintained that every government has a national responsibility to provide development, irrespective of the political choices of individual regions
To support his argument, he cited the construction of the Kejetia Market in the Ashanti Region under an NDC administration and the implementation of the Free Senior High School policy in the Upper East Region under an NPP government
According to him, these examples demonstrate that governments must serve all citizens, regardless of their political affiliations
He therefore insisted that the NPP cannot escape accountability for the developmental challenges confronting the Upper East Region simply because the area has largely voted for the NDC
Kampoli Lists NDC’s Developmental Achievements in Upper East
In defending the NDC’s record, Mr Kampoli highlighted what he described as several significant development interventions undertaken by successive NDC administrations, including the erstwhile PNDC government
He credited the NDC with expanding rural electrification across communities in the region and developing major road networks connecting the Upper East to the North East, Northern and Savannah regions, as well as southern Ghana
He also cited the establishment of the University of Technology and Applied Sciences (UTAS), which began as a campus of the University for Development Studies, as one of the party’s major contributions to higher education in the region
He further argued that developments in human capital, education, healthcare infrastructure, youth empowerment and women’s empowerment demonstrate that the region has not been abandoned
All 15 MMDAs Benefiting from Mahama’s Flagship Programmes
Turning to the current NDC administration, Mr Kampoli highlighted several government initiatives which he said are already benefiting communities across the Upper East Region
He disclosed that all 15 Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) in the region are included in the government’s Free Primary Healthcare pilot programme covering 150 districts nationwide
He also indicated that all 15 districts are benefiting from the government’s Model 24-Hour Economy Market initiative
Among other interventions, he mentioned:
Adwumawura Programme: Providing opportunities for young entrepreneurs
One Million Coders Programme: Expanding digital skills and technological opportunities for young people
National Apprenticeship Programme: Supporting vocational and technical skills development
No Fee Stress Policy: Providing financial relief and educational opportunities
Ghana Women and Youth Employment and Social Cohesion Programme Loan Scheme: Supporting access to financing and economic opportunities
TVET and Digital Skills Training: Equipping young people with practical and employable skills
He argued that these interventions, alongside other government programmes, are expected to create employment opportunities, strengthen livelihoods and improve economic prospects for residents
‘NDC Will Not Disappoint the People’
Despite defending the government’s record, Mr Kampoli acknowledged that more needs to be done to address the region’s developmental needs
He maintained that NDC parliamentarians are actively lobbying for additional projects and interventions for their constituents
He further expressed confidence that the Mahama-led administration would deliver more development to the region, insisting that the party recognises the confidence reposed in it by the electorate
“The NDC is poised to do more and will definitely do it. NDC respects the confidence reposed in them and shall not disappoint them,” he stated
Source – gbcuraonline.com
