The chief of Maasi in the Dolimo Traditional Area, Maasinaa Dr Saaka Mwinimaana II, has stepped forward in his bid to represent the Upper West Region in the Council of State.
He pledged to work with traditional leaders, political and the youth of Upper West Region to drive development in the region.
He is seeking to leverage his experience as a traditional leader and International Consultant to pull development to the region.
Speaking to Info Radio, Maasinaa Mwinimaana II outlined his vision for the region if he is given the nod to represent the region in the Council of State.
“Many communities in our region still lack access to electricity and clean drinking water. People are still fetching water from streams and dugouts for their daily needs. Some boreholes that were drilled about ten years ago have broken down, and there is no one available to repair them.
“I plan to go to the Council of State to advocate for the development of my community. My intention is not to seek personal wealth; I believe that God has already blessed me, and I am content with what I have. This is a call to serve my community and uplift my people,” he added.
The distinguished traditional leader emphasized the importance of education and expressed his commitment to improving the educational sector in the region. He noted that many young women and girls are leaving school to pursue vocational skills like weaving and tailoring.
He highlighted that with a strengthened educational sector, these young women and girls could remain in school while also learning these valuable skills.
Additionally, he addressed the challenges faced by some communities in accessing healthcare and clean water, which he plans to focus on. Furthermore, he expressed his desire to collaborate with the 11 Members of Parliament to help develop the region.
The Electoral Commission has scheduled 11th February 2025 for the Council of State elections. In all, 22 delegates will be voting in the elections. The International Consultant for Inclusive Parliaments and chief of Maasi appealed to the delegates to vote for him in the upcoming election.
Brief Profile of Maasinaa Dr Saaka Mwinimaana II
EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND
1. PhD. Literature, University of Alberta, Canada, 1994.
2. M.A. Philology, Voronezh State University, 1987.
3. B.A. Russian with French, University of Ghana, 1982.
WORK EXPERIENCE
1. Traditional Leader, Maasinaa, Dolimo Traditional Area since July 2016.
2. International Consultant for Inclusive Parliaments, Ghana, Kenya, and Togo. The Parliamentary Centre, Canada, 2024 – 2026.
3. Founder & Board Chair of The M.A. Seidu Education Fund (established 2022) to support brilliant but needy students from the Upper West Region to access secondary education.
4. Founder & Board Chair of the Mwinimaana Foundation (established 2022) to improve education, health, water, and sanitation outcomes in the Upper West Region.
5. Executive in the Government of Canada (2001 – 2019), with experience in advising ministers and senior public servants; wide experience working in the areas of government legislation, parliamentary administration, policy, planning, government communications, financial, and human resources management, and the environment and climate change.
6. Lecturer, University of Alberta, Canada, 1992 – 1997.
7. Lecturer, University of Ghana, Legon, 1982 – 1985.
ACHIEVEMENTS
1. Mobilized funding and provided financial support to 20 students in the Wa West, Wa Municipal, and Nadowli-Kaleo Districts to enter senior high schools in the 2024 academic year (worth GHC60,000).
2. Worked with the Ministry of Energy and Green Transition to illuminate 22 schools in the Dolimo Traditional Area (worth over GHC1.5 million).
3. Extended electricity to the Maasi CHPS compound (GHC3,000).
4. Obtained approval for Ghana Water Company Limited to provide potable water from the Jambusi - Wa Water Project to 17 communities in the Dolimo Traditional Area (worth over GHC10 million).
5. Sank a borehole in the Maasi CHPS compound (worth GHC30,000).
6. Extended water to the Maasi Teachers’ staff quarters (worth over GHC4,000).
7. Illuminated the exterior of the Dolimonaa's Palace (worth GHC2,000).
8. Supplied glucometers and blood pressure monitors to 13 CHPS compounds in the Dolimo Traditional Area (worth over GHC13,000).
9. Provided textbooks and other educational materials to Maasi Junior High School.
10. Supported quiz competitions for schools in the Dolimo Traditional Area.
11. Renovated Maasi CHPS compound to create space for maternity services. Construction has begun on a separate maternity clinic for Maasi.
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