IT WAS A CLEAN SWEEP FOR NDC IN UE DESPITE FALL LEADING PARLIAMENTARIANS

Article: Benjamin Xornam Glover, Bolgatanga Just as predicted, the National Democratic Congress, made a clean sweep at the Presidential level at the just ended general election. Candidate John Dramani Mahama won in all the 15 constituencies while the other seven presidential aspirants trailed. The outcome did not come as a surprise to election watchers because since 1992, that has been the trend since 1992. The surprise or otherwise depending on where one stood was in the race for the parliamentary seats. The NPP came into the race with four seat firmly tuck under their armpits, namely Navrongo Central, Binduri, Bawku Central and Chiana-Paga constituencies, out of the then 13 Constituencies, but in the end , they lost all the four seats to the NDC. The NDC on the other hand boosted it performance by increasing the seats it controlled from eight in 2008 to 12 seats, namely Bolgatanga Central, Bolgatanga East, Builsa North, Pusiga, Garu, Tempane Binduri, Navrongo Central, Zebilla, Chiana-Paga, Bawku Central and Bongo district. The Peoples National Convention, (PNC) managed to cling unto its only seat in the Builsa South constituency. Perhaps the major upset, (although many people in the region had predicted it days before the election) was the fall of what is known on political circles “the two mugabes”- (on account of their long stay as MP) The Longest serving Parliamentarian in the Upper East region, representing the Talensi Constituency, John Akolgo Tia, was kicked off the seat, while his friend next door, Mr. Moses Asaga, who had done 16 years in parliament also lost his seat, both to the NPP candidates. Mr. Tia Akolgo has since 1992 been the representative of the people of Talensi. He was seeking his sixth term in parliament but his constituents felt otherwise. So while they would vote massively for the NDC Presidential Candidate, Mr. John Mahama, they thought both Messrs Tia Akolgu and Asaga have overstayed his welcome and needed to be booted out for fresh faces to come in.. In Talensi, President Mahama polled 17, 110 votes as opposed to Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo of the MPP had 7, 120 but at the parliamentary level, the reverse was the case, the NPP candidate, Mr. Robert Doameng Mosoore garnered 11, 380 while the former Information Minister had 9,119. In the Nabdam constituency, “the skirt and blouse” system was also evoked. In the presidential polls, NDC’s John Mahama had 7, 533 votes while NPP’s Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo had 4, 719 but in the parliamentary votes, the reverse was the case, NDC’s Moses Asaga secured 6,545 votes while NPP’s Boniface Gambilla, who had contested from 2000 got 7,097. Going into this elections, the electorates in these two constituencies have dropped signals that they did not want these MPs to stay in office any longer. Some of the electorates, through various platforms including social media launched a vigorous campaign to have these two “mugabes” booted out but those leading the campaign for the sitting MPs came to their defense. In the case of Mr. John Tia Akolgu, a group in the constituency calling itself NDC Youth in the month of February, 2012 held a press conference during which they vowed to vote for the NPP Parliamentary Candidate instead Mr JohnTia Akolgo but would vote for NDC candidate for the presidential poll. The Campaign team for Mr. Akologo , in a counter- press statement issued at a Press Conference and signed by Alhaji Seidu Musah, Manager of Mr Tia’s Campaign Team, debunked the accusation levelled against the MP. His argument was that Mr. Tia Akolgo, since his assumption of office as MP, had brought about unprecedented development projects to the constituency and that explained why he was continuously being endorsed by the constituency as MP for the area. The long and short of it is that, after the back and forth, the electorates threaten to speak with their thumps and have succeeded in decided who should represent them in parliament come January 2013. Another major surprise was the defeat for Mr. Joseph Kofi Adda. The incumbent Member of Parliament for Navrongo Central and former Minister of Energy during in the erstwhile NPP government, Joseph Kofi Adda, also lost the seat to the Upper East Regional Minister, Mark Owen Woyongo in what pundits nicknamed a re-match between the two. In 2008, Mr. Woyongo lost the contest to Mr. Adda, in that race Messrs Woyongo and Adda together with PNCs Gabriel Pwamang and CPPs, Fotunate Anuga were entangled in the race for the seat, at the close that polls Mr. Kofi Adda polled 14, 354 representing 45.23 percent of votes cast as against, Mr. Woyongo’s 13, 224 represent 41. 67 per cent., . Come December 7 and 8, 2012, the two gentlemen were in the race again. This time, the PNC had thrown their weight behind the NDC candidate and did not field a candidate. On account that the PNC candidate, Mr. Gabriel Pwamang polled 4,026 votes in the 2008 elections, it came as no surprise when after the final results was declared, Mr. Woyongo had 10, 260 while NP’s Joseph Kofi Adda 9,703 votes. The NPP has since the year 2000 had a grip on the Navrongo constituency. In the 2000 elections, the late John Setuni Achuliwor contested on the NPP’s ticket and defeated the NDCs Clement T. Bugase by 143 votes. Achuliwor polled 11,246 while Bugase had 11,103 votes. The rest was shared between five other candidates who contested in that race. Following the death of John Setuni Achuliwor in 2003, Mr. Adda a MP. He won the by-election for the Navrongo Central constituency. In the 2004 elections, Adda retained his seat after he defeated NDCs Emmanuel Andema, the current Municipal Chief Executive for the Kassena-Nankana East. In that polls, Adda polled 12, 444 votes while Mr. Andema came a distant third with 6,201. While pundits believe Mr. Adda was complacent leading to his defeat, other held the view that Mr. Woyongo on account of his hard work as Regional Minsiter which has seen the region as a whole and the Kassena-Nankana East Municipality benefit from a number of development project coupled with the support of the PNC gave him a huge advantage over his contender. Another NPP incumbent, Mr. Stephen Yakubu, MP for Binduri Constituency, lost his seat to a Senior High School Tutor, Ben Noah Azure, to the surprise of many who had tipped Stephen Yakubu as the best choice for the area. Sitting Member of Parliament for the China-Paga, Leo Kaba, lost to former Deputy Minister of Sports and the current Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Youth Employment and Entrepreneurial Development Agency (GYEEDA), Mr. Abuga Pele. In the Builsa South Constituency, incumbent MP and the only PNC parliamentary candidate in the next parliament, Mr. Alhassan Azong retained his seat likewise, Mr. Dominic Azimbe Azumah (Garu), Majority Leader Cletus Avoka (Zebilla), Albert Abongo (Bongo) and Emmanuel Opam Brown Akolbire,(Bolgatanga central). Four of the victors from the region will be making first time appearances in the house of legislature, namely, James Agalga (Builsa North), David Adakurugu(Tempane), Dominic Ayine(Bolgatanga East) and Hajia Laadi Ayamba (Pusiga). Current deputy minister of education, Mahama Ayariga is making a return to the chamber after he won the Bawku Central seat. Having won 12 out of the 15 seats in the region, NDC has once again entrenched itself as the party to beat. The other political parties although have made inroads by increasing their votes must redoubled their efforts if they are to snatch the region the grips of the NDC. -END- writer's email:benjamin.glover@graphic.com.gh

Two siblings behind police cells bars for allegedly lynching a 75 year old woman

Story: Benjamin Xornam Glover, Bolgatanga TWO SIBLINGS, Felix Nwohinyen, 22 and Dok Nwohinyen, 19, both students have been remanded into police custody by a Bolgatanga Magistrate Court for allegedly lynching a 75-year-old- woman, Madam Yamgot Apomah. The two, who appeared people the court presided over by Madam Vivian Yamusah had accused the deceased of being a witch and allegedly stoned and clubbed her to death. They will reappear in court on January 3, 2012. The facts of the case was the two are residents of Zanlerigu and that in November this year, the grandmother of the suspects died and soon after that they accused the deceased as being responsible. In the same month, the mother of the suspects came down from Kumasi to attend a funeral. According to the police, the mother of the suspects and the deceased quarried over a scarf. The police said few days after the quarrel, the mother of the suspects felt sick and died. Not long after, the deceased was accused for being responsible. The police said on December 12, 2012 at about 9 am, a lady from the suspects house was sent to the market. On her way, it was alleged that the deceased called her but she refused to attend to the call. The lady allegedly returned to home and informed the family members of the deceased call. This, allegedly infuriated the suspects allegedly armed themselves with sticks and stones, marched to the house of the deceased, stoned and clubbed her to death. The Bolgatanga Municipal Crime Officer, Assistant Superintendent of Police, (ASP), Mr. Godson Letsyo, who confirmed the story, said the deceased sustained deep cuts on the head and some abrasions on the body. He said the remains had been deposited at the regional hospital mortuary pending autopsy. He said on December 13, 2012, a complaint was lodged at the police station and the suspects were arrested. He added that in their statement, the admitted stoning the old lady and clubbing her to death. -End- writer's email: benjamin.glover@graphic.com.gh

Yaale community benefits from health screening(THE MIRROR, Saturday, December 15, 2012. Page 32)

Story & Pix: Benjamin Xornam Glover, Yaale Yaale community is one of the most deprived in the Talensi district is of the Upper East Region. Social amenities such as clinics, schools, water, and electricity are lacking or inadequate. The road network is poor. The major occupation of the people is small scale mining and subsistence farming and this is characterized by low yields mainly due to low soil fertility erratic rainfall pattern and small farm sizes. The community has no clinic or health post. The alternative facility is the Presbyterian Primary Health Care Centre at Namolgo, which is about eight kilometers away Yaale. There is also a health post at Datoku however the nature of the settlement pattern and poor road network has made patronage of these health facilities by the people of Yaale is rather poor, thereby causing high incidences of disease and illness. High poverty levels of the people of the area are manifested in their inability to register for the National Health Insurance Scheme that will also help them access health care. Touched by their plight, Eastwood Anaba Ministries under its social transformation wing organized a medical outreach in the community. A team of medical doctors, nurses and pharmacists screened the people for various ail-ments and administered drugs. Those with critical cases were referred to the Regional Hospital for further attention. Apart from the medical screening, the medical team also gave out gifts, including clothing for adults. shoes, baby clothing to the people. A total of 160 people made up of 86 adults and 74 children were registered onto the National Health Insurance Scheme to enable people use their cards to access health care in nearby communities. An associate member of the E.A.M, Mrs. Ruth Wallace said the programme was birthed by Rev Eastwood and Mrs. Rosemond Anaba to primarily to extend the God’s love to the community and to propagate the gospel of Christ. She explained that the medical outreach was designed to see to the economic, social, as well as the spiritual development of the deprived in the society adding that aside the medical outreach, E.A.M has also embarked on an educational support programme where children are assisted from pre-school to tertiary levels. She added that it was the objective of organization to in the future provide, funds permitting to provide social amenities such as water to deprived communities, support agriculture which is the main occupation of the people and well as enhance skill acquisition by the youth, stressing that “our aim is to ensure that more people are empowered”. Mrs. Wallace said through that they hope to storm the tide of migration to urban areas and also help the youth to put a stop social to vices. The Coordinator of the Medical Outreach programme, Dr. Hornametor Afake said the aim of the programme was to reach out to the people in the community who in one way or another did not have access health facility in the community. He said some of the conditions examined were malaria, high blood pressure, respiratory tract infections, wound dressing, ophthalmology cases and anemia in children amongst others. The Assembly man for the Garri-Gbane Electoral Area, Mr. Bismark Yumah was grateful to the medical team and Eastwood Anaba Ministries for the gesture and expressed the hope that it would be sustained. He appealed to philanthropists and corporate bodies to help build a Junior High school in the area to save the children who have completed their primary school from walking long distances to attend JHS School in neighboring communities. Mr. Yumah said the district assembly has not been able to meet all their development needs of the community to lift them out of their socio-economic status. He said it was through the self-help of the people and the support of some non-governmental organizations that saw the construction of a primary school and the provision of a borehole for the area. He appealed the Eastwood Anaba Ministries to provide the community with a clinic for the area since health care was paramount to the people. -End- Writer’s email: benjamin.glover@graphic.com.gh

NDC candidate is sole woman elected in Upper East(D/G, Tuesday, December 11, 2012 Page 11)

Story: Benjamin Xornam Glover, Bolgatanga The National Democratic Congress, (NDC), parliamentary candidate elect for Pusiga the constituency Hajia Laadi Ayii Ayamba, succeeded as the only female parliamentary candidates to emerged victorious at he just ended polls out of the six that filed to contest the Upper East Region. 63 persons including six women persons filed to contest in all 15 constituencies in the region. By the close of day, however, it was only Hajia Ayamba who carried the day polling 16,174 to defeat her closest contender, Mohammed Imoro Asoko of the NPP who garnered 7,749 votes. A teacher by profession, Hajia Ayamba, has been two times National Deputy Propaganda Secretary of the NDC, Deputy Constituency Organizer, Constituency Women Organiser, Deputy Upper East Regional Women Organiser in 1994, Regional Women Organiser, also became the Deputy National Women Organiser in 2000. The other aspirants who failed to make the mark for women’s representation in parliament were, Madam Diana Abuyiya Assuure of the NPP who secured 11,118 votes as against NDC’s Albert Abongo, who had 18,609. Former MP and Deputy Regional Minister, Madam Agnes Chigabatia of the NPP also lost her bid to recapture the her seat when she had 5,690 as against the NDC’s James Agalga who polled 10, 792 The other female aspirant who lost out was Madam Paulina Atiik Morton Bruce who contested on the ticket of NPP. She had 2,114 as against PNC’s Alhassan Azong, the sole PNC representation in the legislature who had 6,048 votes. Madam Zaliya Ibrahim who stood on the ticket of the CPP in the Bawku Central constituency faced a tough tasked and only came out with 151 as against the eventual winner, Mahama Ayariga. Madan Akugri Laadi, candidate of the of the PNC in the Tempane constituency polled 124 as against 13, 918 secured by Mr. David Adakudurugu who had 13, 918 votes. Overall, women representation in parliament from the region, have generally not being encouraging. In previous elections, females have not had it all rosy in their bid to make it to the house of legislation. It should not come as a surprise to many, mainly due to the patriarchal nature of the society. A system that does not encourage women to aim for the top, inspite of the many push offered. In the 2008, elections, six women contested seats in the Upper East Region out of which none emerged winners in that race.They were Ms Rhodalin Imoru Ayarna, (CPP, Bawku Central), Ms Evelyn Lamisi Anabila,(CPP, Bolgatanga central constituency) and Mercy A. Alima Musah, (NPP,Bolgatanga Central constituency). The rest were Madam Agnes A. Chigabatia, (NPP, Builsa North) Madam Gifty Ayavuuk, (DFP, Builsa South) and Madam Grace Akua Yinmadug, (DFP, Talensi constituency) At the 2004 general election, the number of female MP aspirants was also six out pof which only one, Madam Agnes Chigabatia Asangalisah succeeded to go to parliament. She served for a tern but lost her re-election bid in 2008. Others such has the late Madam Hawa Yakubu and Madam Fati Seidu have had the chance of representing women in the region in parliament after contesting elections during this forth republic. The late Hawa Yakubu was Member of Parliament for Bawku Central between 1993 – 1997. She was succeeded by Hajia Fati Seidu who served from 1997 to 2001. The late Hawa Yakubu made a comeback in the 2000 elections and served for a term before losing to Mr. 2001 to 2005. -End- Writer’s email: Benjamin.glover@graphic.com.gh

Mahama Ayariga commends people of Bawku(D/G, Friday, December 14, 2012. Page 18)

The Parliamentary candidate elect for the Bawku Central constituency in the Upper East Region, Mr Mahama Ayariga has commended the people of Bawku for the peaceful manner they went about the electioneering and the subsequent maintenance of law and order during the elections of December 7 and 8, 2012. He has also expressed appreciation to the security agencies for the role they played in maintaining the relatively peace prevailing in the area. Speaking to the Daily Graphic at Bawku, the Deputy Minister for Education who polled 24,071 as against his closest contender, Alhassan Haruna of the NPP, who garnered 19,082 votes, said for the area to go through such intense campaign period without recording any major incidence before and during the election was an indication that the people were ready to embrace peace, which was paramount for development. Bawku have had to over the past couple of years endure ethnic conflict. On several occasions, government, based on the advice of the Regional Security Council, has had to impose curfews at various periods in the town. Since May, 2010, males in the town have been prohibited from riding motorcycles, a major means of transport for the people. Only women and security personnel in uniform are permitted to ride. Even then, women riders are not permitted to pick male pillion riders. This measure is meant to curb situations where person with the use of motorcycles commit killings and violence and escape with ease on their motorcycles even before security personnel get to the crime scene. However, Mr Ayariga said he was optimistic that the peaceful manner in which the electioneering was held as well as the voting process carried out in which no major incidence was recorded was indicative Bawku was gradually on the road to recovery. He commended the electorate of the area for coming out in their numbers to vote and the patience they exercised even in the face of difficulties associated with the verification device which nearly disenfranchised many people, stressing that showed the commitment to entrench democracy. Mr Ayariga is making a re-entry into parliament. He was first elected MP in the 2004 general election after he defeated the then MP, the late Madam Hawa Yakubu. He however failed in his bid to get re-elected in the 2008 election when he lost the seat to Mr Adamu Dramani. Story by Benjamin Xornam Glover Writer’s email:benjamin.glover@graphic.com.gh

'Let's be modest in celebration'(D/G, Monday, December 17, 2012. Page 18)

A member of the Council of Elders of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Upper East, Mr Noble Alagskomah Asekeya, has urged supporters of the party to be modest in celebrating the party’s victory in the just ended elections. Speaking to the Daily Graphic at Bolgatanga, Mr Asekeya who is also a senior cadre thanked the NDC supporters and the executives for the hard work and discipline exhibited during the campaign and also admonished followers of the party to exercise moderation in celebrating the victory in order not to incur the displeasure of anyone, especially the vanquished. He also congratulated the President elect, Mr John Dramani Mahama, on his election to the high office of president, stressing that the prudent management, judicious and equitable use of state resources as well as good governance played a key role in the renewal of his mandate. “Your transparent, accountable, humble and honest posture, coupled with your splendid performance at the recent IEA political debate, made you stand very tall among your contemporaries for the high office of the land.” He also lauded President Mahama for the massive investment in key sectors of the economy like education, health, agriculture, energy and roads, among others, within the first term of the NDC administration, emphasising that such progress was very historic and worthy of commendation. “Your commitment and zest in the socio-economic, political as well as cultural issues and your leadership style will bring lasting peace and stability to Ghana, which is a prerequisite for accelerated and sustainable development and poverty eradication,” he added To the other political parties who contested the elections and lost, Mr Asekeya reminded them that the common bond that Ghanaians shared should be maintained at all times, adding that Ghana is far bigger than a political party or an individual and therefore nothing untoward should be done to disturb the prevailing peace; if not posterity, will never forgive them. He commended the security agencies, media, civil society organisations and traditional authorities for the respective roles they played before, during and after the general election.

EC did not record minors voting in UE(D/G, Tuesday, December 18, 2012)

The Electoral Commission in the Upper East Region has stated that it did not record any incidence of minors voting in the just ended presidential and parliamentary elections. In an interview in Bolgatanga, the Deputy Upper East Regional Director of the EC, Mr Azu Bosco Anyigire, said following the stern warning issued and the determination to hand over any minor that would turn up at the polling station to vote to the security agencies, the polling area became a no-go area for underage voters. It would be recalled that days before the polls took place, the EC in a press conference displayed photographs of some minors registered as voters and warned that any minor who made an attempt to queue and vote on voting day risked being arrested. According to Mr Anyigire, that warning perhaps scared minors from showing up to partake in the exercise. In a related development, the Daily Graphic observed that apart from the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) that had polling agents in all the polling stations in the region, the other parties that contested in the elections were under represented at the various polling stations. The Political Parties Law requires that parties meet some basic requirements among which are be national in character, have offices opened in at least two-thirds of all districts in the country, have officers elected at the national, regional and constituency levels through which they can have branch, ward and polling station executives who can perform the rolls such as polling agents for their respective parties. In the Bawku Central Constituency, representatives of the NDC, CPP, PPP and PNC were present and endorsed collated result while that of the NPP failed to sign the constituency results summary sheet. At the Zebilla Constituency collation centre, apart from representatives of the NPP and the NDC, the other political parties were absent. Also present was the agent of the Mallam Isa Yusif who contested the parliamentary seat as an independent candidate. In the Tempane Constituency, it was only the NDC and NPP that were represented at the collation centre. In Navrongo, the NDC, NPP, PNC were represented at the collation centre. However, not even the PPP parliamentary candidate, Mr Avanakwa Crispin, had an agent to endorse the collated results. At the Pusiga Constituency collation centre, apart from the NDC, NPP and PPP, none of the other contesting political parties had agents to endorse the results declarations forms. At the Talensi Collation centre, only the NDC, NPP and PNC agents signed the declaration form while in the Nabdam Constituency, only agents of NDC and NPP were on hand to authenticate the results. At Garu, the NDC, NPP and the CPP had agents at the collation centres to endorse the final results declared after collation while in the Chiana-Paga Constituency; it was only the NDC, NPP and PNC agents who were present to authenticate results declared at the collation centre. Builsa South collation centre had agents of the NDC, NPP and PNC signing the constituency results summary sheet while at the Builsa North, Bongo collation centres, only agents of the NDC, NPP, PNC were present to sign the declaration forms. In the Bolgatanga East and Bolgatanga Central constituencies, only agents of the NDC and NPP were on hand to endorse the declared results. At the Binduri Constituency polling centre, only the NDC, NPP and PPP had polling agents who signed the declared results. According to the EC’s guide to candidates and their agents, polling agents play a number of roles to ensure the credibility of the polls. Among these are the fact that they are to closely observe the counting of the votes, making sure that each ballot is counted in favour of the candidate for whom it is cast. They are also to ensure that ballot paper which does not bear the official ballot validation of the polling station is not counted and even ask for a recount if they genuinely think that the votes have not been counted correctly. According to the EC’s handbook, they as a commission attach great importance to the work of polling agents, because they act as watchdogs of the election process, therefore if political parties and parliamentary candidates ensure that their agents do their work well, they will be contributing to enhancing the credibility of the election by helping to detect fraud, impersonation, multiple voting, tampering of ballot boxes and checking misconduct. Overall, the EC holds the view that polling agents enhance the acceptability of the overall elections results by certifying the results of the various polling stations. Writer’s email: benjamin.glover@graphic.com.gh

Will Upper East Vote Skirt and Blouse in elections 2012?

Article: Benjamin Xornam Glover An estimated 566, 859 eligible voters are expected to turn up and vote in 1,141 polling stations across the Upper East Region on Friday, December 7, 2012 as the nation goes to the polls. So far 63 candidates including 6 women have filed nominations to contest in the 15 constituencies available in the region. As usual both the NDC and the main opposition party, NPP have filed to contest in all the constituencies. The 15 constituencies are, Bolgatanga Central, Bolgatanga East, Bawku Central, Binduri, Bongo, Builsa North ,Builsa South, Chiana/Paga, Garu, Nabdam, Navrongo Central, Pusiga Talensi, Tempane, and Zebilla. Smaller parties such as the PNC AND PPP have 11 and 10 candidates each while good old CPP made a showing in seven constituencies with new entrant, the National Democratic Party, (NDP), filing candidates in three constituencies. There are two candidates filed as independent candidates. Ahead of the D-day, the question on the lips of many is if the NDC will maintain its dominance in the region or the electorates should expect a political tsunami by any of the other parties in the race. Fact is, since 1992, the region has been associated with the NDC with the party recording land slide victories at both Presidential and Parliamentary levels. From 1992 to 2008, the NDC has always gone past the 50 per cent mark at the presidential elections. From all indications, the trend is not likely to change although the NPP is hoping to make gains in this election. The trend since 1992 has been that a the NDC has been securing over50 per cent of votes cast at the presidential level and indications are that it is not changing in this elections. The rear challenge will however be if the NDC can dominate in the parliamentary level. This is because information picked from the campaign activities has it that the electorates desire a change of faces. At the presidential level, in the 1992 polls,the NDC secured 54.0 per cent, NPP had 10. 5 percent , PNC 32.5 per cent, NIP 1.4 per cent and PHP 1.7 per cent. in 1996, NDC polled 69.0 per cent, the NPP had 17.4 per cent. The PNC is that elections secured 13. 7 per cent. In the 2000 elections, the two leading parties, NDC and NPP secured 57.17 per cent and 42. 83 per cent respectively. In 2004, the results were as follows, NDC, 53.9 per cent, NPP 31.6 per cent , PNC 12.6 per cent and CPP 1.7 per cent. From the trend the smaller parties have not fared well at the presidential level but some like the PNC have made good showing at the parliamentary resulting in them winning some seats in the past,like the Bolgatanga central, and Builsa South constituency. While the NDC is hopeful to repeat that trend and even enhance their performance at the presidential level for the 2012 elections they are cautiously optimistic following threats by some electorates to vote against some of the parliamentary candidates for unsatisfactory performance. Murmurs picked from the campaign rounds have it that the electorate intend to adopt the “skirt and blouse” voting system. That is, vote for NDC’s John Mahama and a vote against some of the NDC candidates. The reason given by these voters are that some of the MPs have overstayed their welcome and as such must make way for new faces. As to whether these silent cries represent the views of the majority of voters will only be known after the official results are declared by the E.C. In terms of parliamentary elections, the NDC in 1996 swept all 12 seats. The next election year of 2000 saw the party losing in three constituencies, namely Bawku Central, Garu-Tempane and Navrongo Central. In the 2004 elections after the number of seats was increased to 13, the NDC won nine seats while the NPP won two seats(Navrongo Central and Builsa North) with the PNC settling for the other two seats(Zebilla and Bolgatanga Central). In 2008 elections, the NDC won eight seats, the NPP won four (Navrongo Central, Binduri, Bawku Central and Chiana Paga) and PNC 1(Builsa South) . While the NDC believes it undoubtedly remains the strongest party in the Upper East, the NPP believes it has made a lot of inroads and considering the fact that many of the electorate have expressed the desire to have new faces represent the region in parliament the opposition party is so confident of causing a political tsunami. As stated earlier, there are 15 constituencies in the Upper East Region and starting from the Bolgatanga Central constituency, the battle is between is clearly between the incumbent, Mr. Emmanuel Opam-Brown Akolbire and the NPP’s Dr. Gyesika A. Agambilla. Others in the race are PPP’s Robert Anamolga and the NDPs’ Saeed Jafar Mohammed, the youngest among the lot. The NDC won the seat in 1992 and 1996. In 2000 and 2004, PNC toppled the NDC but lost it again to the NDC in 2008. Now that it has been split into two Bolgatanga Central and Bolgatanga East, the question is can the NPP annexed the seat for the first time? The race for the Navrongo Central Constituency will witness a three-man race with the aspirants being, the current Regional Minister, Mr. Mark Woyongo for the NDC, Mr. Joseph Kofi Adda on the ticket of the NPP and Mr. Crispin Avanakwa Awupuri, a 40 year old teacher who is contesting on the ticket of the PPP. In the last parliamentary elections, Messrs Woyongo and Adda together with PNCs Gabriel Pwamang and CPPs, Fotunate Anuga were entangled in the race for the seat. At the end of that contest, Mr. Kofi Adda polled 14, 354 representing 45.23 percent of votes cast as against, Mr. Woyongo’s 13, 224 represent 41. 67 per cent. The two gentlemen are in the race again and what makes it interesting is that the PNC which is not presenting a candidate for this year’s race is reported to have thrown its weight behind Mr. Mark Woyongo. In 2008, the PNC candidate, Mr. Gabriel Pwamang polled 4,026 votes. Assuming all these votes goes to add to that of what Mr. Woyongo obtained in 2008, it will add up to 18, 380. With this one can safely call it for Mr. Woyongo, who doubles as the current Regional Minister. But politics like a game of football is not east to predict. The NPP since the year 2000 have had a grip on the Navrongo constituency. In the 2000 elections, the late John Setuni Achuliwor contested on the NPP’s ticket and defeated the NDCs Clement T. Bugase by 143 votes. Achuliwor polled 11,246 while Bugase had 11,103 votes. The rest was shared between five other candidates who contested in that race. Following the death of John Setuni Achuliwor in 2003, Mr. Adda a MP. He won the by-election for the Navrongo Central constituency. In the 2004 elections, Adda retained his seat after he defeated NDCs Emmanuel Andema, the current Municipal Chief Executive for the Kassena-Nankana East. In that polls, Adda polled 12, 444 votes while Mr. Andema came a distant third with 6,201. Mr. Adda comes into this year’s race with a lot of experience likewise his contender who has also in the past three-and-half years have done so much for the region as a whole and the Kassena-Nankana East DistrictThe race for the Bolgatanga East Constituency is between PNC’s David Apasera, NDC’s Lawyer Dominic Ayine, former charismatic MCE for Bolgatanga Municipal Assembly, Rockson Bukari who is contesting on the slot of the NPP and PPP Baba Starling. Two times MP, David Apesara comes into this race with a wealth of experience. In 2000 and 2004 he won the then Bolgatanga Central constituency handsomely and wields the ability to annexed the newlty created constituency. NDC’s Lawyer Dominic Ayine is well known for his contribution to the party at the national level but at the local level, he has a lot of convincing to do if he is to secure the seat for his part. Charismatic Rockson Bukari as MCE for Bolgatanga during the Kufour administration worked hard and as to whether this will earn him the votes to become the first MP for the newly created seat will be known after December 7. NDC’s Albert Abongo is synonymous with the Bongo constituency and it is likely he will retain the seat considering the strength and power of his close contender, Madam Diana Abuyiya Asuure of the NPP Internal wrangling in the aftermath of the elections of Madam Asuure to the extent that a section of party faithful held a press conference calling for her removal a few months back means the differences have not been resolved and that gives the NDC near walkover. Also in the race for Bongo are Mr. Jacob Nsoh of the PNC, Peter Ayamga Akugre of the CPP and an independent candidate Mr. Clement Ayorigo. One interesting constituency to watch in the Upper East Region is Bawku Central. Five people are vying for that seat. They are Deputy Education Minister, Mr. Mahama Ayagira, NDC, Former Deputy Managing Director of Metro TV, Alhassan Ayariga, NPP, Businessman Iddrisu Mubarak, PPP, Farmer Joseph Awini Aguuga, PNC, and Teacher, Madam Zaliya Ibrahim the only female candidate in the constituency on the ticket of CPP. The prediction is that NPP’s Alhassan Haruna will retain the seat for the part particularly when he enjoys good support from his kinsmen, the Bissa community though figures from that block is relatively not much. Both leading parties, NDC and NPP have made inroads into each other territory and courting massive support from the electorate. Again the recent court ruling that squashed the claim against the NPP candidate that he is not a Ghanaian appears to have enhanced his popularity and bolstered his chances. In the Binduri Constituency, the race for the seat in between Ben Noah Azure, NDC, Stephen M.D. Yakubu, the incumbent NPP MP, William Ayinga Abanga, PPP and Cyprian Azure Ayendago, PNC. In the year 2000, the NDC polled 12, 174. In 2004 they dropped to 9,797 and in 2008 the NDC lost when they polled 8,357 as against NPP’s 9,103. Having toppled the NDC from that seat, the incumbent, Mr. Stephen Yakubu is determined to retain his seat. For the Pusiga Constituency, the race is between Madam Laadi Ayii Ayamba, NDC, Imoro Sarko, NPP, and William Abako Abosa, PPP. Irrespective of the race coming from the other contenders, the vibrancy of the campaign as waged by Madam Laadi Ayii Ayamba put her in the lead . Five people are vying for the Chiana/Paga seat. Mr. Abuga Pele, Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Youth Employment and Entrepreneurial Development Agency (GYEEDA) is seeking to unseat NPP’s Leo Kabah Alowe. Also in the race are Mr. Muniru Aloah Adoa of the PPP, Journalist Francis Niagra Santuah on the ticket of PNC and Desmond Ayirevire for the CPP. Mr. Pele won the seat in 2000 and 2004. In 2000, he won by securing 15, 391 votes while in 2004 he polled 11,824. In 2008, as a result of the emergence of an independent candidate from the NDC stock, Mr. Pele lost the seat when he secured 7, 380 votes as against NPP’s Leo Kabah Alowe who had 8, 323 votes. The race many people are watching keenly is that between, NDC John Tia Akolgu and Robert Nachinab Doaneng of the NPP in the Talensi constituency. Also in the race are Ramson Yinbil Babihitzaaya of the CPP, Dr. Micheal Wombeogo, PNC and Dominic Mogre, PPP.The incumbent, Mr. Tia Akolgu a former Minister for Information has occupied the seat since 1992 and there is a sense among a section of the electorate that he has overstayed his welcome and as such must give way to others, a position those on the NDC side vehemently disagree. Indeed buoyed by this call, the NPP candidate has predicted that there will be a political tsunami and by the close of day, he will be crowned as the new MP for Talensi. In 2000, John Tia Akolgu polled 9,655 as against NPP’s Hajia M.A. Abagna-Kaldi who had 7, 607 votes. In 2004, John Tia won but slumped to 8, 346 votes while the NPP’s Hajia M.A. Abagna-Kaldi secured 5,354. Incidentally, Robert Nachinab Doaneng contested in that elections as an independent candidate and secured 4, 582 votes. In 2008, John Tia pushed up to 9, 548 while the NPP with Sebastian Tibil Bisnab of the NPP gaining 7, 469 votes. PNC, Dr. Micheal Wombeogo who is making a secondly attempt after his failed mission in 2008 is hoping to improved his performance. Incumbent MP for Garu constituency, Mr. Dominic Azimbe Azumah of the NDC will be contested by former Regional Minister, Alhassan Samari, NPP, Dominic Ligadya Dinko, CPP and Seidu James Achel of the NDP. In the 2008 polls, Mr. Dominic Azimbe Azumah of the NDC polled 16, 318 votes to defeat former Upper East Regional Minister, Alhassan Samari who had 15, 650 votes. With the constituency now split it will be interesting to see which of them emerge winner in the race. In the newly created Tempane, four contestants are in race for the sole ticket to represent the people in parliament. They are immediate past DCE for Garu-Tempane, David Adakurugu, NDC, Mr. Joseph Akudibillah, NPP, Samson Kangben Laar, PPP and Madam Akugri Laadi for the PNC. In the Nabdam constituency, another veteran parliamentarian, Mr. Moses Asaga of the NDC will be contested once again by former Upper East Regional Minister, Mr. Boniface Gambila of the NPP. Others in the race are Gabilemm Ditamina, PPP, David Kurug, PNC and William Atampugre, CPP. Majority Leader in Parliament and NDC MP for the Zebilla Constituency, Mr. Cletus Apul Avoka is likely to have a walk in the park against his contenders Mr. Frank Fuseini Adongo, NPP, Atang Naba, NDP, and an independent candidate, Mallam Ali Yusuf Isa. In the Builsa South constituency, four persons filed to contest the seat. They are Roger Abolimbisa Akantagriwen for the NDC, Paulina Morton-Bruce for the NPP, Alhassan Azong, the incumbent MP, for the PNC and Mr. Daniel Kunde who is contesting on the ticket of the CPP. Three persons are in the race for the Builsa North Constituency. They are NDC’s James Agalga, Mrs. Agnes Asangalisah Chigabatia, former Deputy Minister and former MP on the ticket of the NPP, and Mr. Francis Agilinko, a 36 year old teacher for the PNC. -End-

Social advocate calls for peaceful election

Story:Benjamin Xornam Glover, Bolgatanga A cadre and an advocate for social justice, Mr. Noble Alagskoma Asakeya has called on Ghanaians to at al times choose peace over violence. In an interview with the Daily Graphic at Bolgatanaga few days to the presidential and parliamentary elections, the former assembly member said Ghana is far bigger than any political party or an individual and therefore nothing untoward should be done to disturb the prevailing peace before, during and after the elections if not, posterity will never forgive Ghanaians. "WHat happened in Rwanda in 1994 is still fresh in our minds. I therefore, desire to caution all our political office seekers, social commentators, private TV and radio stations, Serial callers, social commentators to know that the interest of Ghana supersedes any other interest. Mr Asakeya lauded the PResident and flag bearer of the NAtional. Democratic Congress(NDC) Mr. John D. Mahama for declaring that this year's elections should be issue-based and not who can insult most or uncivil in dealing with his political opponent. 'Ghana has come very far in terms of its democratic dispensation. We should therefore, strive to sustain it so that the better Ghana agenda could be pursued to improve the lot of Ghanaians particular the downtrodden and to also serve as an inspiration to the rest of the world but more importantly, Africa' He said the desire to retain or recapture political power should never be a 'do and die affair' adding that losing an election should not be interpreted to mean the end of one's life or political career. He reintegrated the need for all to make this year's elections as peaceful as ever to protect the massive investments made in the key sectors of the economy over the years like education, health, agriculture, energy and roads amongst others. As a cadre Mr. Asekeya expressed the wish that the candidate for the NDC is maintained as the president emphasing that his commitment and zest in the socio-economic , political as well as cultural issues coupled with his leadership style will bring lasting peace and stability to Ghana which is a pre-requisite for accelerated development and poverty eradication. -end- Writer's email: benjamin.glover@graphic.come.gh

EC distributes ballots papers for Friday’s general election

Story & Pix: Benjamin Xornam Glover, Bolgatanga The Upper East Regional Office of the Electoral Commission has expressed its readiness for the general elections on Friday. According to the Regional Director of the Commission, Mr. Bruce Ayisi, electoral materials are being dispatched to polling stations across the region.Speaking to the Daily Graphic at premises of the Regional Police Headquarter in Bolgatanga were ballot papers are being distributed to all municipal and District Officer for onward safe keeping at the district level, Mr. Ayisi assured the public of maximum security at every polling station.Representatives of the NDC, NPP and PNC were present at the police headquarters to check the seal numbers before the bags containing ballots papers were moved out from the police strong room for onwards transportation to the districts amidst police escort.The Upper East Regional has a total of 15 constituencies with 1,141 polling stations. The breakdown is as follows: Builsa South 52, Builsa North, 71, Kassena-Nankana East 97, Kassena Nankana West 117, Bolgatanga Central and Bolgatanga East have a total of 140, Bongo gas 94, The others are Talensi 74, Nabdam; 41, Bawku West 106, Bawku Central 185, Pusiga 64, Garu and Tempane constituency have a combined number of 100 polling stations.Out of the total number of polling stations, the EC and the Regional Security Task force have identified 438 of them as flashpoint and officials have assured enough men will be deployed to maintain security during the polls. -End- writer's email: benjamin.glover@graphic.com.gh