“We Have an Unpardonable Duty to Transform Northern Ghana”- Mahama Ayariga Charges Northern Leaders
The Majority Leader and Leader of Government Business, Hon. Mahama Ayariga, has issued a powerful call to action, urging political, traditional, and development leaders from the five northern regions of Ghana to unite for the rapid transformation of the north.
Speaking at the maiden Northern Ghana Development Conference, held at the University for Development Studies (UDS) in Tamale on Monday, July 21, 2025, Mr. Ayariga emphasized that the time for political division and fragmented development efforts in Northern Ghana must come to an end.
The historic gathering, themed “A Conference of Northern People, Leaders, and Partners”, brought together over 57 Members of Parliament from the five northern regions, along with chiefs and overlords, ministers of state, mayors, MMDCES, civil servants, private sector players, and development partners.
A Land of Rich Potential Yet Deep Poverty
Mahama Ayariga, MP for Bawku Central, lamented that although Northern Ghana is rich in human and natural resources, it continues to be among the poorest areas in the country due to disjointed and partisan development approaches.
“We have an unpardonable duty to transform the North. This is not about party. It’s about purpose. Elections are over—the people are watching what we do with the opportunities they’ve given us,” he stressed.
He highlighted that the five regions, Upper East, Upper West, Northern, North East, and Savannah boast 57 Members of Parliament, with a majority (46) from the National Democratic Congress (NDC), 10 from the New Patriotic Party (NPP), and one independent aligned with the NDC.
Many of these MPs, Ayariga noted, are youthful, experienced, and hold or have held key roles in government, public boards, and agencies.
A Bipartisan Commitment to Northern Transformation
Ayariga announced the formal inauguration of the Northern Caucus in Parliament on June 25, 2025, by Speaker Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, himself a proud son of the North.
The objective of the caucus, according to Ayariga, is to forge a bipartisan and cross-sector commitment to regional development, regardless of which party controls government.
The caucus aims, he said is to among of others improve public services like healthcare, education, water, electricity, and infrastructure, leverage their collective experience and networks to lobby the President and central government, work with regional ministers, MMDCEs, chiefs, and the private sector to advance development.
He added that, the Caucus would also take pragmatic steps to partner with international investors and donors to drive strategic projects and well monitor the effective implementation of government programs and policies in the region.
“We must set aside partisan affiliations and unite as one northern people,” Ayariga said. “No matter which party produces the president or the parliamentary majority, we must work together for our people, ” Ayariga emphasized.
A History of Missed and Renewed Opportunities
Tracing the history of development efforts in Northern Ghana, Ayariga referenced President Kwame Nkrumah’s 7-Year Development Plan (1963), General Acheampong’s “Operation Feed Yourself,” and former President Rawlings’ efforts in electrification, decentralization, and the establishment of UDS.
He also acknowledged the Savannah Accelerated Development Authority (SADA) under President John Dramani Mahama and the One District One Factory (1D1F) initiative under President Akufo-Addo, along with Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia’s five-year Northern development blueprint.
“No single president can transform the north alone. It will take a united front—across politics, across ethnicity, across institutions to get it done,” he added.
Unique Window for Change
Ayariga emphasized the significance of the current political climate, where both President John Dramani Mahama and Speaker Bagbin are from the north, as are many ministers, deputy ministers, MMDCEs, and heads of key government institutions.
“This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity. We don’t know when next the presidency, the speakership, and majority leadership will all be in northern hands. We must not waste it.”
He also confirmed that the caucus has already begun engaging development partners, referencing a “Northern Deep Dive” held earlier this year to assess development needs and opportunities in the region.
Call for Coordinated, Measurable Action
Ayariga however called for practical, results-driven coordination among stakeholders, stating, “Let this not be another talk shop. We must define timelines, set measurable targets, and monitor our progress. We owe it to our people. We will not give up on ourselves.”
The conference, which is expected to become an annual platform for tracking progress and setting new goals, ended with a strong endorsement from traditional leaders and a pledge from MPs across party lines to return to their constituencies with a united vision for regional transformation.
Background
Northern Ghana’s Development Challenges Despite comprising nearly half of Ghana’s landmass and contributing significantly to the country’s food production, Northern Ghana continues to lag in key human development indicators of poverty, access to quality healthcare, education, and infrastructure.
Development experts cite decades of underinvestment, political neglect, and poor coordination between national and local actors.
The establishment of the Northern Caucus is seen as a strategic shift toward a more organized and collective development approach.
The Conference is attended by key political figures including the Chief of Staff, Hon Julius Debrah, Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, Minority Leader, Osahen Alexander Kwamina Afenyo-Markin, Traditional Chiefs, Regional Ministers , MMDCEs, Political parties executives, and development partners.
Source: Felix Nyaaba/expressnewsghana.com
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