Majority Leader in Parliament, Mahama Ayariga, has pledged to champion the long-standing call for the separation of Chiana from the Paga constituency, describing the demand as legitimate and long overdue.
According to him, the size, population growth, and unique development needs of the area make the creation of a separate constituency not only necessary but crucial for effective representation.
Speaking to constituents during the 10th anniversary of the enskinment of the Sirigu Naba, Azukodaana, at the maiden Azuko Festival held in Sirigu in the Kassena Nankana West District of the Upper East Region, Ayariga assured traditional leaders and residents that he would use his position in Parliament to push for the necessary legal and administrative processes required to create a new constituency.
He explained that constituency creation is a constitutional matter that involves the Electoral Commission and Parliament, noting that broad consultations and adherence to legal requirements would be key to the process. He urged residents to remain united and continue engaging relevant authorities peacefully.
Ayariga further emphasized that the creation of a new constituency would bring governance closer to the people, improve access to development projects, and enhance political participation at the grassroots level.
The Chiana–Paga constituency is situated in the Kassena/Nankana District of the Upper East Region and, as of 2024, has a total registered voter population of 54,916, based on figures from the Electoral Commission. By comparison, excluding land size, Sekyere Afram Plains in the Ashanti Region is the constituency with the lowest number of registered voters, standing at 22,814.
Mahama Ayariga has described the demand for the separation of the Chiana–Paga constituency as legitimate and long overdue.
He acknowledged that the call for Chiana to be carved out as a separate constituency had persisted for nearly 12 years, spanning several election cycles marked by unfulfilled promises.
“Each time elections come, disputes arise, and we try to resolve them by promising that in the next election, a new constituency will be created. Unfortunately, term after term, we have not been able to live up to that promise,” he said.
Ayariga assured the gathering of his full support for their demand.
“I sympathise with you, I agree with you, I support you, and I will join you to fight for that cause,” he stated.
The Majority Leader also paid glowing tribute to the Paramount Chief of Sirigu, Naba Atogumdeya Roland Akwara III, describing his reign as one defined by peacebuilding, unity, and sustained efforts toward community development. He noted that testimonies from earlier speakers and residents were a clear reflection of the chief’s commitment to uniting his people and improving livelihoods in the area.
Ayariga further reiterated the government’s strong commitment to rural development, particularly through agriculture, which he described as the backbone of rural economies.
He outlined ongoing initiatives in crop production, livestock development, and large-scale commercial farming, explaining that these interventions were aimed at creating jobs, stimulating economic growth, and reducing Ghana’s dependence on food imports.
According to him, the expansion of commercial agriculture would not only increase productivity but also help ease pressure on the local currency.
Renewed calls
The event was dominated by renewed calls for the creation of a new constituency, as both the Paramount Chief of Sirigu and the Member of Parliament for Chiana–Paga, Nikyema Billa Alamzy, reiterated concerns about the vast size of the constituency.
“Our constituency is too large to effectively serve the people,” the chief stated.
Alamzy echoed the concern, saying, “We need a separate constituency to ensure proper representation and to address our needs more efficiently.”
He explained that the geographical size and population of Chiana–Paga made it challenging for a single Member of Parliament to adequately respond to development needs across all the communities within the constituency.
