Some concern youth of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Upper West Region kicked against any attempt by H.E Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to reappoint Dr. Hafiz Bin Salih as Upper West Regional Minister in his second term.
Addressing a press conference on Wednesday January 13, 2021 at the Wa Central Constituency office of the NPP, the youth in their presser read by Osman Abdulai Lebron Secretary to the group, accused the Minister of neglecting and plotting against the will of the NPP in the Upper West Region in the just ended 2020 general election. The youth say the ‘evil plans’ of the Minister against the interest of the Party has led to the loss of the party in the just ended election.
“The former Regional Minister Dr. Hafiz Bin Salih who was forced on the region because of personal and selfish interest of some few people cost the party dearly. His poor human relationship, abused of power, vindictiveness, amassing of wealth and self-centredness contributed to such a loss in the region. We have realised that since his appointment, he has been working against and undermining the regional chairman and his constituency executives. The working relationship between the Regional Minister and the party officials was unhealthy and since he was the choice of some few un-influencial groups, we were compelled to accommodate him, though we all knew he was not working in the interest of the party. There is a saying that you can force a donkey to the river side but you can’t force it to drink” Lebron stated.
Osman Abdulai further indicated that, the appointment of Regional Ministers has always be done with the consultations of the regional chairmen but the narrative changes in the case of the Upper West Region hence their plea for the President to consider the views of the people of the region and the Regional Chairman before appointing a different person instead of retaining Hafiz Bin Salih as their sources are indicating.
“Your Excellency, persons who connect well with the grassroots and who can contribute to the party’s fortunes in the region are those we expect the president in consultations with the party leadership to appoint to serve the government and to work for the growth of the party. We understand that other regional chairmen are consulted before such appointments are made. The question is, why is it that when it comes to the Upper West Region the narrative is different? We urged you to use independent sources to inform you about the feeling and concerns of the party members in the region rather than relying on people who wield some seeming influence in their constituencies.”
The youth clad with red bans on their heads and hands held placards with inscriptions “Minister must go” “No more Hafiz Bin Salih”, “Kamara must go” “MCE must go”, “Minister didn’t win his own polling station”.
The group did not also spare the current Municipal Chief Executive now acting Hon. Alhaj Issahaku Tahir Moomin whose name has been popped up as being part of those lobbying for the Upper West Regional Ministerial slot, the group alleged that the MCE connived with the Regional Minister in campaigning against the NPP Wa Central constituency parliamentary candidate Hajjia Humu Awudu in the just ended 2020 elections.
Wa Central constituency Chairman, Ali Kamara was also mentioned as part of those the group wants the party hierarchy to axe from the party leadership slot he is currently occupying. The group says Chairman Ali Kamara betrayed the party as it was believed by them that he played a role in getting the party defeated at the constituency in the December polls.
