By: Ashiadey Dotse
The Sissala Union has voiced its frustration over what it sees as the continuous neglect of the Sissala people in key government positions.
In a petition to President John Mahama, the group reminded the government of the Sissala ethnic group’s contributions and expressed disappointment that they are not being recognized despite their strong support for the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
The petition highlighted that Sissala land, which includes eleven paramountcies and covers two-thirds of the Upper West Region, is a major agricultural hub in Ghana. It is well known for producing high-quality maize, as confirmed by the Ministry of Agriculture.
The Union argued that the NDC’s declining support in Sissala land is due to the party’s failure to appoint young, capable Sissala people to government positions since the start of the Fourth Republic.
They also pointed out that Sissala communities have consistently voted for the NDC in parliamentary elections, making their exclusion from government appointments unfair.
“How can our Members of Parliament continue to convince their people to support the party when we are being sidelined?” the petition questioned.
The group further expressed concern that even though President Mahama is from the region, Sissala people have not been given leadership roles in his administration.
“There is a saying that when your mother is in the kitchen at a funeral home, you never go hungry. How do we feel when our qualified sons and daughters are left out of government appointments?” the statement added.
The Sissala Union is calling on President Mahama to reconsider his appointments and include qualified Sissala individuals in leadership roles.
The petition, signed by the Union’s President, Mahmoud Bakah Aduna, urges the NDC government to correct what they see as an injustice.
