10 Reasons Tamale Central Constituency Needs To Switch To NPP

1. Since the inception of the fourth Republic, Tamale Central which metamorphosed from Choggu-Tishegu in 2004 and covered areas of contemporary Tamale North and Sagnerigu constituencies have never voted for the NPP, the closest was in 2000 when Dr. Adam Mohammed Amin (Anta) lost by a 349 vote margin. Tamale Central needs to give NPP the chance this year.

2. They say to whom much is given, much is expected, the constituency, the heartbeat of Northern Ghana has not received much from the NDC. All major developments from infrastructure to human capital development has come from the NPP in power. A bigger reason NPP should be given the opportunity.

3. The constituency is heavily populated with women and youth, which makes it bustling all the time. An active MP who understands their needs will help not just make laws but actively lobby to improve the enormous human capital in the constituency. So far, only the NPP has proven to understand this with the launch of the TamalePreneurship Fund (TPF) by Dr. Barhama Anyass (The NPP Candidate) through his Repairer Foundation. To support the youth and women.

4. As urban as the constituency is, it needs a more exposed and well dispositioned MP, who can swim through the deep differences in needs, values and understanding of the people. Dr Barhama Anyass has lived in the United Kingdom and has over the years been exposed to different cultures and as a lecturer, engaged with young people all over the world and still does as the President’s man implementing the flagship youth initiative Nation Builders Corps (NABCO).

His opponent on the other hand could not manage a constituency that is minute than the Tamale Central he intends to lead. His days at the defunct National Youth Employment Authority was marred with corruption and incompetence the result of which is former boss Abuga Pele serving jail term.

5. Still on diversity, the four constituencies in modern-day Tamale metropolis and Sagnerigu district are highly interconnected and it takes a person of concern to even understand the boundaries between these Assemblies. An MP with a calm-disposition and no past/present grudges with others can always interact (without interfering) with colleagues to help address needs of constituents. Others in the race are known for their hot temper and past grudges with other MPs which is still lingering and this situation could further stagnate development in the constituency.

6. Dr Barhama Anyass has exposure which gives him a better understanding of situations in other climes and in the law-making process. It is to no amazement that the promise of one electoral area, one early childhood center to address the needs of working-class which is the biggest population in the highly urbanized constituency.

7. Education and employment remain the biggest challenges in the Tamale Central constituency and anyone who lives, studies, and understands the trend in Tamale central will agree with me that the promise of NEET (Not in Education Employment or Training) Tracker and the Local Directory for Training schemes will go a long way to ensure we address these challenges head-on. Dr Barhama has a plan, unlike his opponent who just wants to return to the hallowed chamber to achieve his desperate ambition to lead and lord over people.

8. In this day and age, opportunities are scarce and as we say in local terms ‘who you know and who knows you matters’. The pool of resources as we all can agree is limited but an MP with the leadership of service will always find opportunities for their people.

Dr Barhama has over the years with his experience in public service proven how much better he can serve Tamale Central. Popularly nicknamed in Tamale as ‘Di Kumya’ all over the constituency because of his impeccable management of the novel Nation Builders Corps (NABCO). We ask our friend on the other side what can he be remembered for after 8 years serving in government?! Tapes of his verbal battle with the current minority leader?! Or his emotional/verbal diarrhea we see in the media?! Anyway never mind there’s nothing.

9. An MP of a cosmopolitan constituency like Tamale Central must possess calm, clarity, temerity, tenacity, and emotional intelligence to deal with the varying needs of constituents. Our friend has been running in circles from constituency to another seeking to enter or return to parliament since 2004. When offered the chance he was booted out in Nanton by a novice, Alhaji Hardi Tuferu. If you couldn’t do it in Nanton with a population of less than thirty thousand, how sure are we you can in Tamale Central a cosmopolitan constituency with people with more advanced needs and differences?! That can be answered on the ballot on December 7.

10. Elections have consequences, the decision we’ll make on December 7 has far-reaching effects. We risk losing the heart and soul of Tamale Central if we put our votes on auto-pilot. Let’s read the room and align with the New Patriotic Party for the first time.

It is not an issue of trying a candidate but testing a man and his party. All over the constituency today are government projects and in every household are beneficiaries and f government’s social intervention programs. Let’s vote Dr. Barhama Anyars and the NPP, number ONE on the ballot, and experience improvement for ourselves and generations to come.

Abdul-Hak is in Tamale and can be reached via deerok4@gmail.com