The President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has appointed Alhaji Shani Alhassan Saibu as the Minister-designate for the Northern Region pending parliamentary vetting and approval.

When approved by the vetting committee of parliament, he will succeed Hon Salifu Sa-eed who held the position in the past four years of the Akufo-Addo led government.

The nominee in the past served then Candidate Akufo-Addo during the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Presidential elections in 2008 as campaign coordinator in the northern region.

He was also appointed a Regional Campaign Coordinator and National Campaign Team Member from 2008 to 2011.

The Northern Regional Minister-designate (far right) together with then Candidate Akufo-Addo (middle) in smock during a campaign trail

THE CUSTODIAN has gathered as a grassroot politician, Alhaji Shani Barkery as he is popularly known in the northern region was elected as the 2012 NPP Parliamentary Aspirant in the Mion constituency but was unsuccessful in his ambition to represent the people in Parliament.

He has been a grassroot person in the NPP since the 90s working in then Gukpegu/Sabonjida constituency and rising to become a Regional Organiser of the party in 2006.

The seasoned politician is currently the Secretary to NPP Northern Region Council of Elders and has also served as a member of the party regional campaign in the 2016 and 2020 general elections.

Some admirers and support base of the NPP have showered some praises on the Minister-designate for his patience and perseverance.  

It is two years since the implementation of the Dagbon peace road and the northern region has witness stable peace and unity since the enskinment of Ya Naa Abukari II.

The Minister would be expected to consolidate the success chalked in that regard together with the chieftaincy situation in other parts of the region.  

The President on Thursday (21 January, 2021) submitted a list of forty six (46) substantive Ministers to the Speaker of Parliament for vetting and subsequent approval.

The number included the sixteen (16) Regional Ministers-Designate for the 16 regions of Ghana.