Article By: Abdul-Hakim Zakaria || Sanatu Zambang Editorial
The New Patriotic Party, NPP has been noted for its role in nurturing young ones in politics. Napaga Tia Sulemana is one of the many outstanding youths in the party whose rise cemented the NPP’s longstanding support for exceptional buds. During the first tenure of the Akufo-Addo’s government, she was appointed a Presidential Staffer which caught the eyes of many as a woman with a future in Ghanaian politics.
Other young politicians such as the Deputy Minister of Communication, Hon. Mariam Iddrisu, immediate pass MCE for Sagnerigu, etc. are unforgettable names on the lips of Ghanaians in terms of youth in Ghanaian politics. Napaga Tia Sulemana was not only retained as a government appointee in President Akufo-Addo’s second term but was promoted. During the president’s tour to the Ashanti Region, the Asantehene, Otumfuor Osei Tutu, advised him to go to the field rather than totally relying on appointees to bring him information.
This, the Asantehene said won’t bring him the truth, but what his appointees want him to hear. As part of the Presidential delegation that went on the tour, Napaga took this golden advice seriously and went on to change her WhatsApp DP to that advice which was captioned with the photo of Otumfuor.
From November 8, 2021spanning to early December Napaga took on a tour across her working niche in the country to familiarize herself with projects under the Infrastructure for Poverty Eradication Program (IPEP). The National Coordinator of the Special Development Initiatives had her first tour to the North-East Region where she inspected the Poverty Eradication Program (IPEP) projects in Nalerigu, Gambaga and Lainginsi. She was assisted by other officials including the Regional Minister, Professor Yidana Zakaria.
Proceeding to the Upper East Region, Napaga stopped at the Bawku and Binduri constituencies. The project inspection and stakeholders engagement included a Water System, 10-Seater Water Closet facility, District Assembly Complex and Small Earth Dams. She could not halt there but headed again for Bongo, Pusiga and Garu.
Accompanied by the CEO of the Northern Development Authority (NDA) and other officials, Ms Tia Sulemana called on the newly appointed Executive Director of Bongo and hammered on active collaboration between the District Assembly and the NDA. She also visited chiefs and other key stakeholders.
Other inspections took place again at Pusiga coupled with visitations. At Garu, similar engagements took place to assess the progress of projects and strengthen collaborations. At her stop in the Upper West Region, she was accompanied by officials of the NDA to pay a courtesy call on the Regional Minister, Dr Hafiz Bin Salih. They proceeded to Nadowli-Kaleo Constituency to inspect a small earth dam, water system in Kaleo and Naro respectively.
They also extended a visit to the District Chief Executive of Daffiama-Bussie-Issa District, Hon. Nadi Imoro Sanda thanked the government for the numerous IPEP projects his District has benefitted from. Hon. Nadi Imoro further pleaded for uncompleted projects to be completed for use and he further requested more projects. He then joined the team to inspect some IPEP projects in the Constituency such as the small earth dam in Wogu, a water closet facility at the Issa Health Center and an ongoing water system in Ullo.
The Coordinator also made a stop at Wa Zongo in the Wa Central constituency to inspect an ongoing Water-closet facility. Napaga and her team also paid a courtesy call on The Paramount Chief of the Lambussie Traditional Area, Kuoro Issaka Zengeh Kazie Tenjie II, who expressed his joy for the projects being undertaken in his district but also lamented on the bad state of some projects. The Coordinator assured him that the Special Development Initiatives Secretariat (SDIs) and NDA will collaborate with the District Assemblies to complete and utilize the projects.
The team proceeded to inspect the Kohuo small earth dam, an ongoing prefabricated warehouse and a 10-seater water closet facility in Lambussie Constituency. In Nandom, they paid a courtesy call on the Member of Parliament for the Constituency, Hon. Ambrose Dery, the Minister of Interior. He commended SDIs and NDA for the good work done so far and encouraged that more needs to be done to complete and utilize all IPEP projects.
The team also visited the small earth dam in Tom Community, a 10-seater water closet facility and water system in Nandom township. They also proceeded to Lawra Constituency, where they inspected a water system facility in Birifo Community and a health clinic in Birifoh Baapare Community, one of the success stories of IPEP.
They also made a stop in the Savannah Region where she was accompanied on your with CEO of the Northern Development Authority, Abdul-Rahman Sumaila, Director Lands, Infrastructure, Environment and Natural Resources, Dr Emmanuel Abee
