The visit of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) 2024 flagbearer, Dr. Mahamud Bawumia, to the Upper West Region on Monday 22nd July 2024 was met with a disappointing turnout of residents and party members, sparking concerns about the party's fortunes in the region ahead of the December 2024 general elections.
According to Info Radio sources, the low attendance is partly due to poor media publicity surrounding the visit, which was attributed to a lack of coordination between the Bawumia campaign team and the NPP Upper West Regional Executives and the NPP Upper West Regional Communications Director, Mr. Ahmed Sadat. Sadat had reportedly been excluded from the planning process, leading to a sense of disconnection between the campaign team and local party officials.
"It's unacceptable that our flagbearer's visit could not even garner significant interest from our own party members in the region," said a disillusioned NPP member in the Wa Central constituency who attended the event on condition of anonymity. "The lack of communication and coordination has caused a lot of frustration among us. We feel like we're not being heard or valued."
DMB Wa Tendamba JHS Campaign Rally
The poor attendance was evident during Dr. Bawumia's campaign rally in Wa, where a crowd mostly made up of children and SHS student was present, despite efforts by local party officials to mobilize supporters. The situation was similar in other towns like Wichiau, and Nandon visited by the NPP flagbearer during his Upper West Regional campaign tour .
DMB Nandom Park Campaign Rally
The NPP's woes in the Upper West Region are a cause for concern ahead of the upcoming elections. The party has been increasing in votes in region over the past elections , but recent discontent among party members and residents could threaten its electoral fortunes.
"This is a wake-up call for the party," said another NPP member. "We need to get our act together and start listening to our people. Disregarding our own officials and ignoring their input will only lead to further decline in support."
Dr. Bawumia's campaign team has faced criticism for its handling of regional visits, with some accusing them of prioritizing photo opportunities over genuine engagement with party members and voters.
A cross-section of party members who spoke to Info Radio revealed that they have been feeling neglected by the party and government appointees in the region, despite working hard for the party's victory in 2020 and its aspirations for 2024. They lamented that despite their efforts, they have not seen any significant improvements in their lives, with little opportunities available for party members.
"It's been tough for us as party members in this region. We have been loyal to the party, but we feel like our sacrifices have not been recognized. We work hard to ensure the party wins elections, but we are not given any rewards or opportunities. It's like we are just pawns in the game," said a disgruntled party member from Wa Central Constituency.
Another member from the Wa West Constituency echoed similar sentiments, saying, "We have been waiting for long for things to change, but nothing has happened. We have been told that the party is going to support us but all we see is poverty and hardship. It's frustrating."
The dissatisfaction among NPP members in the Upper West Region is widespread, and if not addressed promptly by the party executives, it could result in a poor performance by the party in the upcoming parliamentary and presidential elections.
Many residents who spoke to Info Radio expressed disappointment and frustration at the low turnout at Dr. Bawumia's rally, saying it was a reflection of their feelings towards the party.
"We were expecting more people to turn up for Dr. Bawumia's rally, but it was just a handful of people. It shows that people are not excited about the party's activities anymore," said a resident from the Wa Central Constituency.
Another resident from the Wa West Constituency added, "We want to see changes in our lives. We want to see development in our region. If we don't see that happening, we will not bother to attend rallies or vote for the party."
The situation has raised concerns among NPP Upper West regional leaders about the impact it could have on the party's chances in the upcoming elections. If left unchecked, it could lead to a decline in support for the party in the region.
The Upper West Region is one of the poorest regions in Ghana, with high levels of unemployment, poverty, and illiteracy rates. The region has been neglected in terms of development projects and investments, which has led to widespread frustration among residents.
The NPP government has promised to develop the region through various projects such as road construction, education, and healthcare initiatives. However, many residents say that these promises have yet to be fulfilled.
The situation has raised concerns about the sustainability of NPP's dominance in the region. If not addressed promptly, it could lead to a decline in support for the party among its loyal members and a loss of votes in the next elections.
The growing discontent among NPP members in the Upper West Region is a cause for concern for the party leadership. The situation requires immediate attention and address if the party wants to maintain and increase votes among first time voters in the region and win the 2024 elections. The NPP leadership must listen to the concerns of its members and work towards addressing their needs and wants if it wants to retain its support base in the Upper West Region.
The NPP flagbearer is scheduled to visit the Wa East , Nadowli - Kaleo and Daffiama-Busie -Issa districts on Wednesday 24th July 2024 with his campaign.
Whiles in the region, it is expected that, Dr. Mahamud Bawumia will use the time to listen to the concerns of members and executives of the New Partrioic Party in the Upper West Region and find a solution to their discontentment . Else, the furtunes of the NPP in the Upper West Region will hang in a balance.
Comments