Upper Manya Krobo NDC appeals for ministerial appointment for MP

Correspondence from the Eastern Region

The Upper Manya Krobo Constituency branch of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has appealed to President John Dramani Mahama to appoint the area’s Member of Parliament (MP), Bismack Tetteh Nyako, as a Minister of State, citing longstanding developmental challenges and the need to consolidate the party’s electoral gains in the constituency.

Addressing a press conference, the Upper Manya Krobo NDC Constituency Chairman, Alhaji Moro Yakubu, said the constituency has endured significant political and developmental setbacks over the years, despite its loyalty to the party.

“Upper Manya Krobo is a constituency that has gone through challenges. We lost the seat and won it back, but we are yet to benefit from the national cake, and things are difficult,” he stated.

He stressed that since the inception of the Fourth Republic in 1992, no individual from Upper Manya Krobo has been appointed to a significant government position, a situation he described as unfair to the people of the area.

“We are appealing to the President to remember Upper Manya Krobo by giving our MP, Bismack Tetteh Nyako, an appointment in government as a Minister of State, just as other Krobo constituencies have benefited,” he added.

Alhaji Yakubu argued that such an appointment would not only accelerate development in the largely rural constituency but also strengthen the NDC’s chances of retaining the parliamentary seat in future elections. According to him, about 95 per cent of residents are farmers and fisherfolk, and improved representation at the national level would help address critical infrastructure deficits.

He highlighted poor road networks, inadequate access to potable water, and limited development as some of the key challenges confronting the constituency. He noted that the MP has been relying heavily on his share of the Common Fund to address these issues, which remains inadequate.

“The responsibilities on the MP are huge. The place is largely rural. Almost all our roads are feeder roads, and he is doing his best with limited resources. Giving him a ministerial appointment will help address some of these challenges,” he said.

The chairman further underscored the MP’s professional credentials, describing him as a lawyer and chartered accountant capable of serving effectively in any ministerial role.

Controversy over youth-led advocacy

Meanwhile, the District Chief Executive for Upper Manya Krobo, Emmanuel Kwesi Lawer, firmly denied claims that the chairman and some executives had distanced themselves from an earlier call by the youth of the constituency for the MP’s appointment.

“This news is false and must be disregarded,” he clarified.

The DCE maintained that there remains a general expectation among constituents that the campaign promise should be fulfilled.

“We still stand by calling the attention of the President to fulfil the promise made to the people of Upper Manya Krobo,” he added.

Previous calls by NDC youth for the MP’s appointment

National Democratic Congress (NDC) youth in Upper Manya Krobo in February 2025 called for the appointment of their Member of Parliament, Bismack Tetteh Nyarko, as a Minister of State, with the call rooted in campaign assurances, local political expectations, and longstanding developmental concerns within the constituency.

They, at a press conference, appealed to President John Dramani Mahama to appoint their Member of Parliament as a Minister of State, citing a campaign promise and the need to boost development.

The youth said an assurance by NDC National Chairman Johnson Asiedu Nketiah linked a ministerial appointment to the party’s electoral victory in the constituency and argued the commitment should now be fulfilled to maintain trust.

They also pointed to poor roads, limited potable water, and inadequate infrastructure, insisting a ministerial role for the MP would help attract resources and accelerate development.

Development expectations remain high

The renewed calls for a ministerial appointment underscore growing expectations among residents for increased government attention and accelerated development in the constituency.

Local party leaders believe that elevating the MP to a ministerial role would not only improve access to national resources but also serve as a strategic move to strengthen the party’s political foothold in the area ahead of future electoral contests.