By Ben Ali Seaman, former Bibiani-Anhwiaso-Bekwai Constituency Organizer of the NPP
With my experience in politics as the former Bibiani-Anhwiaso-Bekwai Constituency Organizer of the NPP and currently the Coordinator for the Movement for Justice and Equal Rights I have decided to speak on some key issues concerning the appointments of officers for the second term of the Nana Addo-led government.
Bibiani Anhwiaso Bekwai is the critical electoral constituency for the NPP in the Western North enclave. Since the days of President Kufour, the NPP had received lots of votes. One would have thought that, in appointing ministers and all top officials of the state, consideration would have been given to the region and have appointees from the place.
Ideally, the Western North should have been honored with a ministerial appointment long before any considerations to other regions. This is great injustice to the people and our constituency. This disincentive makes it unworthy to continue to work for the party.
Again, it’s pathetic, that those who have suffered for the party are the least to make any benefit of their sweat. Surprisingly, a new crop of people are the ones enjoying and benefiting. Our party has no recognition for the sacrifices of its people. No one is stupid, and soon we shall advice ourselves.
Recalling past events to support my claims, during the first term of former President Kufuor’s era, the Western North Region had no Member of Parliament but he appointed Hon. Dr. Afriyie as a minister. In Kufour’s second term, the Western North Region had Hon. Christopher Addae as its MP and again President Kufuor appointed him as a deputy minister.
When President Akufo Addo took office in 2017, we had Hon. Aboagye Gyedu as pur MP and he was appointed deputy minister of hearth and later apppinted as the Western North Regional Minister.
But I am disappointed by the selection processes of appointees in this second term as the Western North Region has not seen any significant appointments. I honestly do not see the current Western North Regional Minister as a grassroot member and hence his appointment is not and will not be beneficial to the grassroots who work day in and day out for the party.
We the grassroots in the Western North Region will not sit idle for the party to go to opposition so we will go into agreement with any future flagbearer in the 2024 election and get the person sign a document to select a fair number of his appointees from the Western North Region after winning the elections.
Thank you all.
Ben Ali Seaman,
Former Bibiani-Anhwiaso-Bekwai Constituency Organizer of the NPP
