The governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) in May 2022, elected regional executives to steer the party’s affairs for the next four years and to ensure that ‘Breaking the 8’ mantra becomes feasible at the 2024 general elections.

As a result of their outstanding performance at the 2020 polls, fourteen (14) of the Regional Chairmen were retained while the Bono East and the Western North regions had new Chairmen.

Judging them by their performance for the year 2022 under review, the findings of a survey conducted by a political watchdog known as Gina Media Consult Limited has rated the NPP Savannah Regional Chairman, Iddrisu Sulemana, affectionately known as Professor Kalamonia as the greatest, with a percentage of 82.6.

The benchmark used for the ratings included outcome of the 2020 general elections, relationship between government appointees, constituency executives, respect for party foot soldiers, the media, respect for Chiefs and the Clergy. 

Regional variations

A total of 500 persons were randomly interviewed in each of the 16 regions. Based on the aforementioned benchmark, the North East Regional Chairman, Nurudeen Fuseini scored 49 percent, in the Western North Region, the new Regional Chairman, Benjamin Armah had 52. 9 percent, Central Regional Chairman, Robert Kutin Jnr scored 64 percent and Upper West Regional Chairman, Sanbaye B. Kangberee scored 51.9 percent.

Eastern Regional Chairman, Jeff Konadu Addo scored 66.8 percent, Upper East Regional Chairman, Anthony Namoo was pegged at 38 percent, the new Bono East Regional Chairman, Ibrahim Baba Bukari scored 41 percent, Northern Regional Chairman, Mohammed Adam Bantima Samba scored 50 percent, Greater Accra Regional Chairman, Divine Otoo Agorhom scored 52.9 percent and the outspoken Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi Boasiako alias Chairman Wuntumi scored 58.4 percent.

Ahafo Regional Chairman, Kwabena Owusu Sekyere  scored 42 percent, Bono Regional  Chairman, Kwame Baffoe, alias Abronye DC  scored 58.6 percent, Oti Regional Chairman, Evans Yaw Dapaah scored 36 percent, Western Regional Chairman, Francis Ndede Siah scored 51 percent and the  Volta Regional  Chairman, Makafui Woanyah scored 38 percent. 

Overall Best

Savannah Regional Chairman, Alhaji Iddrisu Sulemana popularly known as Professor Kalamonia emerged as the ultimate and overall, best performing Regional Chairman for the year 2022, with 82.6 percent.

Outcome of the 2020 general elections

The survey uncovered that with scarce resources in the buildup to the 2020 general elections, Chairman Iddrisu Sulemana’s team worked tirelessly and won three out of the seven constituencies in the home region of the then National Democratic Congress (NDC) Presidential candidate, John Dramani Mahama.

The three constituencies are Damongo, with Hon. Samuel Abdulai Jinapor as the first time Member of Parliament, Salaga North constituency, represented by Hon. Alhassan Abdullah Iddi (first timer) and Hon. Mahama Asei Seini for Daboya/Mankarigu constituency (first timer).

The NPP appreciated over 80,000 Presidential votes and that unprecedented record saved the governing party from sliding into opposition. Savannah was the only region that increased its Parliamentary seats from one (1) in 2016 to three (3) in 2020.

Relationship between government appointees and constituency executives

According to the findings, Alhaji Sulemana Iddrisu, when he assumed office in 2019 as the first ever NPP Savannah Regional Chairman forged a strong relationship with government appointees, constituency executives, party foot soldiers, traditional leaders, the Clergy, and the media. This situation whipped up enthusiasm for party work at the grassroots which translated into the 2020 victory.

Respect for party foot soldiers

The Regional Chairman values and respects NPP foot soldiers in the region and creates opportunities for their voices to be heard. The survey pointed out.

Youth employment

The findings credited Alhaji Sulemana Iddrisu for lobbying for well-paid jobs for majority of the youth in all sectors of the economy.

The Chairman in many ways provided sewing machines, hair dryers and tools boxes to individuals and members of the Artisans Association in the Savannah Region, including fashion designers, hairdressers, and motor fitters.”

Respect for Chiefs

The survey discovered that the NPP Savannah Regional Chairman has commandeered respect from traditional leaders in the region, which was the NDC’s electoral world bank in the then Northern Region.

Tribal diversity

Recognizing tribal diversity is an important step in winning elections, Alhaji Iddrisu Sulemana appreciates the contribution of all tribes in the region to the NPP’s achievements and has stepped up efforts in improving tolerance, peace, and unity.

  Profile

Alhaji Iddrisu Sulemana alias Professor Kalamonia is a true-blue member of the Danquah- Busia-Dombo political tradition.

He is a native of Daboya, capital of North Gonja District. He started his political career as far back as his secondary school days.

As a gender activist, he has a very good working relationship with the Clergy, Chiefs, youth, and opinion leaders.

He is a successful businessman, a philanthropist and a reputable politician who has impacted greatly on the lives of many in Gonjaland and beyond.

Similarities

In a corroborative survey conducted by the Coalition for Electoral Reforms, Africa in 2019, it was revealed that the NPP Savannah Regional Chairman had absolute control over the region and was on top of the game.

Alhaji Sulemana Iddrisu Alias Professor Kalamonia scored 58 percent in terms of his relationship with constituency executives, foot soldiers, and influence in the region.

Conclusion

The survey concluded that the NPP lost majority Parliamentary seats in the 2020 general elections due to acrimony between some regional Chairmen and government appointees, some Regional Chairmen took unilateral decisions during the Parliamentary primaries and their failure to unite aggrieved party members. 

The survey concluded that the NPP needs to put in extra efforts to consolidate its electoral gains in the Savannah Region, especially if John Dramani Mahama is retained as the NDC Presidential candidate for the 2024 Presidential election.