Sissala East Governance: NPP Touts Inclusion as NDC Faces Backlash

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has highlighted its legacy of inclusive governance in Sissala East, contrasting it with recent appointments by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) that critics argue exclude women and persons with disabilities (PWDs).

Between 2017 and 2025, NPP-led administrations ensured 30% female representation and PWD inclusion in Municipal Assembly appointments, a policy framed as “deliberate, not tokenism” by party officials.

Under the current NDC administration, however, only one woman was named among ten recent government appointees, falling short of Ghana’s 30% Affirmative Action target, while PWDs were entirely excluded. The shift has sparked accusations of hypocrisy, with the NPP accusing the NDC of abandoning social democratic principles. “Inclusion wasn’t a campaign line for us—it was practice,” stated an NPP representative, referencing appointments in 2017, 2019, 2021 and 2023.

NDC leaders, including MP Hon. Bataglia, MCE Hon. Adamu Yakubu, and Constituency Chairman Moloko, face mounting scrutiny. Critics question whether the party’s equality rhetoric aligns with its actions. “Are women only fit for rallies, not leadership?” asked a local advocate, echoing broader frustrations. The NDC has yet to publicly address the concerns.

Ghana’s Affirmative Action framework, designed to advance gender parity and disability inclusion, remains unmet in Sissala East under the current administration. The NPP’s past adherence to these benchmarks, including reserved roles for PWDs, is now cited as a governance benchmark. Analysts note that such disparities risk eroding public trust, particularly in regions where grassroots representation is pivotal.

As pressure builds, civil groups urge the NDC to “restore balance” or risk cementing a legacy of exclusion. The debate underscores Ghana’s ongoing struggle to translate political pledges into equitable governance.