Bimobas Left Out In Appointment Since Independence - Robert Nunifant.

The population of Bunkpurugu/Yunyo district, according to the 2010 Population and Housing Census, is 122,591representing 4.9 percent of the Northern region’s total population of 2,479,461. Males constitute 49.1 percent and females represent 50.9 percent. The District has a youthful population with about 47 percent of the population below 15 years. The population pyramid for the district is broad base and tapers off with a small number (7.1) of elderly persons (persons aged 60 years and older). The district has a sex ratio of 96.6 with more than three quarters (85.9%) of the population living in rural areas. The total age dependency ratio (population less than 15 years and above 64 years over the working age population, i.e. 15-64 years) for the district is 111.

The District has two constituencies, Bunkpurugu constituency and Yunyoo Constituency, The Yunyoo Constituency is represented in Parliament by Hon Joseph B. Naabu, NDC MP, and whiles the Bunkpurugu Constituency is represented by Hon Solomon N. Boar, NPP MP. The District consist of three major ethnic groups, namely Bimobas, Konkombas and Mamprusi, Bimobas are the largest in popolation, followed by Konkombas and Mamprusis respectively. There is high communal spirit among the people especially the small communities. The factors that account for this are the size of the communities, high functional literacy and education by Community- Based Organizations and local Non- Governmental Organizations. The District has 54,975 and above voting population, and Bimobas has a voting capacity of 40,000.

The Bimobas, after hearing the announcement of the President reshuffle, has begun throwing questions and seeking immediate answers from office of the President. They want to know if Bimobas are under curse of any appointment in government. The call now is not about being an NDC loyalist, but a call for Bimoba representation in government. We have waited patiently since independence, never wanted to pour out on the streets as many ethnic groups have done to register their displeasure or get the attention of government, but it seems that non-democratic way of protesting is what is visional in the society than the passionate appeals we have made severally for our inclusion in governance. So which is best way complain now, is it the noise way or the silent way, someone should help us, because we are law abided citizens we don’t want to go like others.

NDC party loyalist and non party resident across the Bunkpurugu constituency numbering over 200 today moved to the NDC Constituency chairman’s house protesting strongly on the failure of the NDC administration to consider any Bimoba man or woman for any position. The group which named itself concern citizens of the Bimoba land wants to know from the Chairman, what he and the DCE are doing regarding the appointment ongoing and the construction of the Binde-Bunkpurugu road.

The group reveled that, a petition is on the type line to be sent to the office of the president notifying him of their concerns. One of them whom I managed to get his attention declined his identity but said, “There are a number of issues that are of concern, but the most prioritized we need immediate answers include the road from Binde –Bunkpurugu, and the Appointment of Bimobas in governance”. It was captured in plain language of the President speech during his 2012 campaign that, the road will not be in same condition before the next election , we have also noticed with keen crosschecking that, Bimobas , since independence have never been put into any Ministerial appointment of any government , what exactly is the test, such that, Bimobas cannot pass it. We remain committed to the President vision on changing lives and transforming Ghana and wish to assure him of our support to complete his eight (8) years in office. He added.

We regret to remind our father that, at Nakpanduri Chief Palace, Bimbagu Chief Palace, Binde Chief Palace, Bunkpurugu Chief Palace, and Bunkpurugu lorry park where the biggest rally was held, he promised that, he would ensure the road from Binde-Bunkpurugu is tarred before the next election. This is an election year, therefore we appeal as a matter of urgency that, work on the Binde –Bunkpurugu road should witness a start. We don’t want to ask for so many things at the same time, but sincerely the road and the appointment of a Bimoba Man or Woman in your administration is now.

We are grateful for the construction of the Community SHS in Namong, the Bunkpurugu Town Water System, the infrastructure projects at both Bunkpurugu and Nakpanduri SHS, the Eastern corridor and the yet to begin Water system in Binde and etc in the District. He pointed out.

Mr. Robert Nunifant , NDC Chairman of kpemali branch a community close to Nakpanduri said , “the Neglect of Bimobas in Political appointments by governments since Ghana’s independence /PNDC, is a legitimate cry? , Bimobas as history indicates are amongst the ethnic group in the Northern region who have highly learned intellectuals. 60-80% of its entire population has school going education. Bimobas undoubtedly are amongst the fifth largest tribe one can think of in the region, to that extent, I see the call for Bimobas inclusion in government as legitimate and reasonable.”

The fourth republic has seen the sons and daughters of fellow northern brothers and sisters of the other major tribes like Dagombas, Gonjas, Konkombas and Mamprusis serving in various positions since independence to date with the exception of Bimobas. Of course, the constitution of Ghana mandates every President to consider both regional and ethnic balance in his/her appointments of Ministers of State etc.

With this mandate, what then has prevented past and present government to bring on board Bimobas in appointment of any kind? We are really under any curse of appointment as many want me to believe, the answer cannot be yes. Robert.

I have followed with keen interest, the lamentation of fellow Bimobas on social media. These lamentations followed the announcement of Ministerial reshuffle by the President with Bimobas conspicuously missing in the list, what could be the reason , as many Sons and Daughters of this land thought that , the current administration will bring Bimobas on board based on the massive votes the ruling government benefited In the 2012 general elections. Mr. Robert noted

Whom we should blame, Mr. Robert Nunifant asked?. According to him; neither governments nor other tribes should be blamed for it. I am forced to describe our situation as painfully incurable self infestation of polymorphic virus. We as Bimobas must have ourselves blamed for our predicaments. I will give you just one or two examples, what support did we give or do to the following people when they were appointed, Hon Hajia Maliga Bawah as DCE, Hon Philip N Laari as DCE, Hon Abulai Duut as PWD Secretary, and finally in less than a year ago Hon Timothy S. Laari current DCE, all this personalities faced a lot of reporting and letter writing against their appointments. We are same people who staged protestations against these individuals, the likes of Hon Nurokina Ceasar when he was going to be appointed DCE, the likes of Hon Fuzzy Kombat ,when he was recommended for Deputy Regional Minister Northern Region , the Likes of Hon. J.Y Labik when as was tipped for RM Northern region , the likes of Hon Anthony Gingong when his name came up for DRM Northern Region , the likes of Mr. Yandam Gbia-Laar when he was tipped for Ambassador , the likes of Dr Bension Konlan when his name popped up for Deputy Minister for Health , the likes of Dr Campion Benson when his name was rumored for Ambassadorial post etc.

All of these names are just a few of the many potential people from the Bimoba land who can perform same duties as others do in the various Ministries and governments offices. The regrettable thing is that, should any of these individuals be named for any post, we will rise with letters and all forms of protest against them. We have people who feel if it is not them, then it mustn’t be anyone else. This is self centeredness, sightless and greed. Take it or not ,should the President appoint one of our own today as Minister , we will be the first to start writing petitions as to why the appointment should be over turned. Robert revealed.

Unfortunately for us, the stakeholders of the Bimoba land who could have helped matters go well are regrettably the champions of divisiveness. Can we have our entire chief’s sit one table to dine? Do they have a common voice? What has become of BIYA and BISU? Everything about Bimobas that seek to put us together is destroyed largely due to cyanic discrimination. He added.

The Likes of DAYA, GOYA, KOYA, MAYA, have been rewarded today because they are united and have a strong voice, vengeance, show of intellectualism.

The NDC branch chairman Hon Robert Nunifant, expressed that, divisiveness, petitions and unanimous letter writing must cease with immediate effect, else we can only hope to be called proud sons and daughters of Bimobas. Peace and Unity must prevail henceforth if we really want to catch the eye of any government.