The appointment of the Mr Abdallah Abubakari as the northern regional minister has taken many residents, especially, supporters of the ruling NDC in the Walewale constituency of the West Mamprusi district by surprise.
For some, he deserved it because his ability to win the keenly contested primaries that saw him emerge as a winner demands some consolation. But for others, Mr Abdallah Abubakari has been given a very difficult task, judging where he is coming from. Before joining the NDC, he was the 2012 parliamentary candidate for the People’s National Convention (PNC) in the Walewale constituency.
He is coming to a region that has so many security issues and his ability to keep the region in peace but not in pieces will be an indelible mark and a legacy he will forever be remembered for.
During the picking of nominations and filing of the forms, some party members in the constituency raised some concerns about his qualification to contest the NDC election, arguing that he joined the party barely nine months at the time.
The Minister- designate is reported to have officially joined the NDC on 30th January 2015 at Walewale. However, their concerns were not taken by the regional executives of the NDC and by extension, the vetting committee, who went ahead and vetted him through Skype in Malawi.
However, the development practitioner managed to overcome all protestations against his candidature and won the election. Mr. Abubakari, until his appointment worked briefly with ActionAid-Ghana as a Regional Programs Manager before moving to ActionAid-Malawi.
Sources at his home town, Walewale say there are mixed reactions about his appointment as some were expecting persons whom they deemed, suffered for the party for a very long time and therefore should have been rewarded.
Key security issues awaiting Mr Abdallah Abubakari are:
1. Performance of funeral of the late Ya-Na Yakubu Abdulai Andani II and Ya-Na Mahamadu Abdulai IV in Yendi
2. Bimbilla chieftaincy dispute
3. Bunkpurugu protracted ethnic conflict
4. Disregard for road safety regulations by motorists in Tamale
5. Activities of Internet fraud boys popularly called Sakawa in Tamale
These and many more are some top security issues bedeviling the deprived region.
He may have it easy in addressing development issues in the region because of his background and his experience with the international nongovernmental organization.
1. Falling standard of Education
2. Water problems
3. Bad road network in the rural district and some urban centers in the region
4. Poor sanitation and health problems in the region, among others.
We wish Mr Abdallah Abubakari the best of luck and may the Almighty Allah give him the wisdom, understanding and patience to lead the people of the Northern region.
