Aggrieved Talensi Youth Question NDC Communication Officer Over Road Project Materials
Talensi, Upper East Region, Some outspoken youth in the Talensi Constituency have expressed concern over the progress of the Tongo-Sheaga-Duusi Road project, questioning an earlier communication by the NDC Constituency Communication Officer, Mr. Michael Nangena, regarding the arrival of construction materials. The youth’s concerns followed a video shared by Mr. Nangena showing a long vehicle loaded with what was described as formwork materials intended for the road project. According to the youth, the communication created the impression that the materials would soon arrive in Talensi and facilitate the commencement of construction activities. However, after about a week, some of the youth took to social media to question the whereabouts of the vehicle and the apparent lack of visible construction activity at the project site. They argued that the situation raised concerns about whether political leaders were prioritising publicity over tangible development, particularly regarding the constituency’s long-standing road challenges. “It is becoming painfully clear that our leaders are playing political games with the development of Talensi,” some of the youth stated in their social media reactions. The youth also recalled concerns they had previously raised following the sod-cutting ceremony for the Tongo-Sheaga-Duusi Road. They claimed that weeks after the ceremony, the project site appeared deserted, with little visible activity at the contractor’s camp. They maintained that residents were looking beyond ceremonial events, photographs and political statements and wanted to see sustained construction work leading to the completion of the road. The youth further cautioned political leaders against taking the constituency’s electoral support for granted, pointing to Talensi’s long-standing support for the National Democratic Congress since 1992. “If these roads are not fully tarred before 2028, consider your time in office over,” the youth warned, stressing that their concerns were centred on development rather than partisan politics. They added that residents would ultimately use their votes to assess the performance of political leaders and determine who deserves their support in future elections. However, responding to the concerns when contacted by ApexnewsGh, Mr. Michael Nangena, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Talensi Constituency Communication Officer disputed the youth’s claims, explaining that the materials in question had already arrived. According to him, the materials were not meant to be permanently stored at the contractor’s camp because they were specifically intended for the construction of culverts. He explained that transporting the materials to the camp and subsequently moving them back to the work location would serve no practical purpose. “The equipment has since arrived, but it seems people didn’t notice,” Mr. Nangena said. He added that the materials were being used for the construction of culverts and therefore did not necessarily have to be moved to or stored at the contractor’s camp. “There’s no logic in moving them to and from the camp unnecessarily,” he explained. Mr. Nangena further urged those questioning the development to verify the situation directly with the contractor, Araco, before drawing conclusions or publishing claims on social media. He accused the aggrieved youth of failing to make the necessary enquiries before taking their concerns to social media, saying their approach could lead to misinformation being circulated among residents. The differing accounts have now generated renewed debate among residents over the progress of the Tongo-Sheaga-Duusi Road project, with the youth demanding visible development while the constituency communication officer insists that work-related materials have arrived and are being deployed for construction purposes. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Nearly 30 Years of Service Drive Yaa Amponsah Frimpong’s NPP First Vice Chair Bid
In politics, some journeys are built on loud declarations and dramatic moments. Others are forged quietly, through years of commitment, sacrifice, organisation and an unwavering belief in a cause. For Mrs. Yaa Amponsah Frimpong, popularly known as Obaa Yaa, the journey has been one of the latter. The current Chairperson of the NPP-USA Branch has formally declared her intention to contest the position of National First Vice Chairperson of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the party’s forthcoming National Executive Officers Elections scheduled for October 3, 2026. Her decision, she says, is not one born out of political convenience or sudden ambition. Rather, it represents the culmination of nearly three decades of active engagement with the party and a period of deliberate preparation for greater responsibility. “I make this declaration with full understanding of the weight of the office I seek, the sacred trust it demands of its occupant, and the depth of service it requires of anyone who dares to hold it.” For Obaa Yaa, leadership is not simply about occupying an influential position. It is about offering service, stability and direction at a time when she believes the party needs to rediscover its identity, strengthen its structures and prepare strategically for the future. A Childhood Experience That Shaped a Political Conviction Her political story began long before she became a party executive. Born Yaa Amponsah Gyamerah (Frimpong) in Obuasi, Ghana, she grew up in a community shaped by mining, industry and the everyday realities of Ghanaian society. But it was growing up during the PNDC era that left perhaps the deepest political impression on her. She witnessed neighbours and members of the wider community experience what she describes as public humiliation, kangaroo tribunals and exile, with families left behind to bear the consequences. For a young Yaa, these were not distant political stories appearing in newspapers. They involved people she knew and communities she belonged to. Those experiences helped shape a conviction that would eventually guide her political life: that politics must ultimately be about protecting people, defending justice and building a society where citizens can live with dignity. “Justice was denied them… These injustices were the driving force of my interest in politics. I was determined not to let that happen without a fight,” she recalls. Interestingly, she narrowly missed the 1992 voter registration exercise, having turned 18 shortly after the deadline. Rather than allowing that missed opportunity to discourage her, it strengthened her determination to participate in Ghana’s democratic process. In 1996, she cast her first vote for the NPP. That first vote would become the beginning of a political commitment that has now stretched across almost three decades. Nearly 30 Years of Showing Up From her early involvement to leadership at the international branch level, Obaa Yaa’s political career has been defined by progression through party structures. Her record includes serving as Chapter Secretary, Second Vice Chairperson, Acting Chairperson, and eventually Chairperson of NPP-USA, a position she has held for two terms since 2018. She has also served at the Colorado Chapter level for three terms and participated as a delegate in the party’s National Flagbearer Elections in 2014, 2024 and 2026. Beyond internal party administration, her political engagement has included leading NPP-USA ground campaigns in Ghana during four general elections and contributing more than US$1 million, according to her campaign profile, towards the party’s electoral mission. For her, these experiences provide more than credentials. They represent years of learning about party organisation, mobilisation, fundraising, campaign strategy and the responsibilities that come with leadership. Beyond Politics: Service Through Healthcare Perhaps one of the less conventional aspects of Obaa Yaa’s political journey is her interest in healthcare and community service. She is the founder of the NPP Global Medical Team, an initiative focused on providing healthcare support to communities across Ghana. The initiative, according to her profile, reflects her broader understanding of political service: that party leadership should ultimately translate into tangible benefits for communities and ordinary citizens. It is a philosophy that appears to underpin her campaign for national office. Four Pillars for a Renewed NPP At the heart of Obaa Yaa’s campaign is a four-point agenda built around Identity, Structures, Direction and Resources. Rediscovering the NPP’s Identity She wants the party to reclaim what she describes as its identity as a centre-right political organisation, firmly rooted in the traditions and philosophies associated with Danquah, Busia and Dombo. For her, rediscovering that identity is essential to giving members and supporters a clear understanding of what the NPP stands for and where it is headed. Rebuilding Party Structures Obaa Yaa believes a strong national party must begin at the grassroots. Her vision therefore places emphasis on rebuilding robust structures from the polling station to the national level, ensuring that the party’s foundation remains strong enough to support its national ambitions. Providing Clear and Data-Driven Direction In an increasingly sophisticated political environment, she argues that the NPP must evolve into a modern, 21st-century political organisation. That, she says, requires clear direction informed by data, research and evidence rather than assumptions. Building Sustainable Resources No political organisation can function effectively without resources. Obaa Yaa’s approach, however, calls for resource mobilisation that is democratic, transparent and dignified, while resisting what she describes as the corrosive culture of monetisation. Her message is clear: the party must develop sustainable mechanisms for financing its activities without compromising its values or internal democracy. A Candidate Promising Calm Rather Than Conflict Perhaps the most distinctive feature of Obaa Yaa’s declaration is the tone. She does not present herself as a candidate coming to disrupt the party or compete with its leadership. Instead, she describes herself as a potential “pillar of comfort”—someone prepared to complement the party’s leadership with steadiness, wisdom and calm purpose. “I present myself to you not as a voice of discord, but as a pillar of comfort. Not to compete with the bold vision of our party’s leader, but to complement that vision with steadiness, wisdom, and calm purpose.” That