Interior Minister decries ethnic sentiments

Mr Mark Woyongo, Minister of the Interior and Member of Parliament (MP) for Navrongo Central, has appealed to National Democratic Congress (NDC) party delegates not to allow ethnic sentiments to destroy their ranks.

Addressing the party delegates during a Constituency election at Tono near Navrongo, in the Upper East Region, to get new constituency executives of the party , the MP noted that the Navrongo Central seat could be retained by the NDC if there is unity among members.

“We should not allow the issues of Kassena and Nankani to divide us if we want to maintain the seat. It is very important for us not to allow our ethnic sentiments to override the interest of the party,” he said.

The Kassenas and Nankani are the two major ethnic groups living in the Constituency. The Nankani are claiming that they have been marginalised by the Kassenas.

The MP who belongs to the Kassena ethnic group, however kicked against the claim.

Meanwhile the delegates failed to elect a Constituency Chairman as two persons who contested for the post could not get the required votes, compelling the Electoral Commission to postpone the election for two weeks.

In another development the MP noted that plans are far advanced to construct more mechanised boreholes in addition to what he had provided for the constituency.

Mr Woyongo said there are also plans to provide the people with electricity under the Rural Electrification Project.

He said the drainage system in the Constituency is being improved upon and entreated his constituents to exercise patience for the process to advance.