The hometown of President John Dramani Mahama is in flames over the failure of the president to nominate the Member of Parliament (MP) for the area for appointment as a Minister of State.
Irate supporters of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) in Bole yesterday demonstrated against Mr Mahama for apparently not fulfilling his promise to nominate Alhaji Yusif Sulemana, MP for Bole-Bamboi, for ministerial appointment.
The aggrieved youth destroyed properties in the area, burnt car tyres in front of the house of Mr Mahama’s father, and threatened to burn the NDC office in the area unless the promise to the MP is fulfilled.
The failure of President Mahama to fulfil his promises to supporters of the NDC is sparking the unrest in his hometown, a few days after eight NDC thugs were shot dead and several others injured in Obuasi.
Mr. Mahama recently concluded the nomination of 26 ministers for the newly constituted ministries, and some ministers of state at the presidency following the reduction in the number of government ministries from 29 to 23.
Missing from the list was the name of the MP for the Bole-Bamboi Constituency, infuriating the NDC youth in the constituency.
The youth argued that President Mahama did not appoint anyone from Bole, including their late MP, Joseph Akati Saaka into his first government and is about to repeat his actions, despite assuring them of a ministerial position during the campaign.
They claimed they have been used and dumped once by the President and will not sit idly by for it to happen again.
Meanwhile, some residents in the constituency have described the situation as embarrassing.
Mr. Mahama Haruna, General Manager of Bole-based Nkilgi FM, stated that “any action by NDC youth in Bole will only embarrass President John Dramani Mahama in the eyes of Ghanaians,” noting that everyone in the area had expected the MP to be made a minister.
MP calls for calm
Meanwhile, the Bole-Bamboi MP, Yusif Sulemana, has called for calm among the youth and residents of the constituency, urging them to desist from any form of unrest on his behalf.
In a statement issued yesterday, the MP reaffirmed his steadfast loyalty to President Mahama, expressing unwavering confidence in the former President’s leadership and judgment.
He encouraged his constituents to rally behind Mahama’s “reset agenda” and to prioritise unity and development.
“I kindly appeal to the youth and people of Bole-Bamboi to remain calm and refrain from any form of agitation in my name.
“As a loyal and devoted brother of H.E. John Dramani Mahama and a firm believer in his wisdom and experience, I wholeheartedly support his decisions,” Mr. Sulemana emphasised.
He gave assurance to his constituents that their concerns would not be ignored and reiterated his commitment to serving their interests, regardless of his position.
Mr. Sulemana further cautioned against any actions that could tarnish the constituency’s reputation, imploring all to adhere to the rule of law.
“Please, do not take the law into your own hands or engage in actions that could bring embarrassment to us all,” he added, urging collective support for Mahama’s vision for the nation.
