Why does President Kufuor shun Upper West?

The President of the Republic of Ghana, His Excellency John Agyekum Kufuor's assumption of office on 7th January 2001 was a great joy to many Ghanaians.

Indeed the N.P.P slogan "positive change" had won the hearts of many Ghanaians who readily gave President Kufuor the mandate to rule Ghana.

The smooth transition of government from the N.D.C to the N.P.P did not only show the maturity of our young and growing democracy but also the love Ghanaians have for our country.

However, the attention of his Excellency John Agyekum Kufuor has turned away from the youngest and the most deprived region in the country. Visitors have always commented how welcoming and friendly people of the Upper West Region are, but why President Kufuor no longer want to be part of our hospitality is a big question waiting for his answer?

Interestingly, the last time the people of Upper West saw His Excellency in the Upper West Region was in 2004. After that the President never set foot in the Upper West Region again?

In 2004, the good people of Ghana gave His Excellency another 4-year mandate to rule the people of Ghana. In his appreciation, President John Agyekum Kofuor went round the regions to "say big thank you" to the people for renewing his mandate. Unfortunately, it was only the Upper West Region that he did not visit for reasons personally known to him. However the N.P.P votes keep increasing from election to election in the Upper West Region.

Further more, the region has benefited from some developmental projects under President Kufuor's government such as the tarring of the Bole/Bamboi road and the creation of five additional district capitals which are welcome news to the people of the region.

On the other hand, the region hosted four important national events at different times which were to attract the presence of His Excellency President Kufuor, but he was missing.

The events celebrated were;

National Best Teachers Award.

National Festival of Art and Culture (NAFAC),

National Farmers Day, and

National Tuberculosis Day.

Coming down to the regional level, there were other equally important occasions that the president stayed out. They include:

The funeral and burial of Hon. B.K. Adamah, one of the founding and leading members of the N.P.P.

The burial of the paramount chief of Lawra traditional area, Naa Abae Faa Kaabo, and,

the celebration of Upper West region's silver jubilee which ended recently.

The people of the Upper West feel discriminated against and this could possibly affect the performance in the up-coming general elections if President Kufuor doesn't visit the region before elections.

Long live the Upper West Region
Long live Ghana.

Credit: Abdulai Sufyan, WA [[email protected])