Northern Volta NDC supporters angry over skewed appointment

A wave of discontent is sweeping through the northern part of the Volta Region as some indigenes and National Democratic Congress (NDC) supporters express dissatisfaction about the selection of appointees from the Region by President by John Dramani Mahama.
Most of the appointments coming to the region are said to be concentrated in the south, with just a few considerations being given to the other areas especially the northern part of the region.

Notable northern Volta appointments
Currently, the only notable figures from the northern part of the region holding significant positions in government are Prosper Douglas Bani, the National Security Advisor, and Kwame Governs Agbodza, the Minister for Roads and Highways.
Beyond these two, they said all other ministerial and high-ranking appointments from the Volta Region originate from the southern part.
The disillusioned NDC members, who spoke to this paper on condition of anonymity, lamented that even among the numerous Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) and Managing Directors (MDs) of state enterprises and agencies, only one person hails from the northern part of the region, further deepening their sense of marginalization.
They maintain that failing to address the current imbalance could alienate a crucial section of the NDC’s support base and potentially threaten party unity in future elections.
The issue of fairness in political appointments remains a critical talking point as expectations mount for President Mahama’s administration to rectify what many see as a historical and ongoing injustice.
Ho Central Constituency NDC office burnt
Two weeks ago, disgruntled party members upset that President Mahama had not appointed anyone from the Ho Central constituency to a ministerial position set fire to the party office.

Unequal representation
The Volta Region consists of 18 districts, evenly split between the north and south.
However, those from the northern districts argue that their people, who have long sacrificed for the NDC’s electoral victories, deserve proportional representation in governance.
They insist that their area is home to many highly qualified and competent individuals who are capable of serving in high-level government positions.

9 districts with 684,472 population
With a population of 684,472 spread across nine districts, this constitutes a significant portion of the region’s 1.6 million residents, according to the 2021 National Population and Housing Census.

Population per district
A breakdown of the population of northern districts is Ho West District- 82,886, Agortime-Ziope-39,553, Hohoe Municipal District-114,472, Kpando Municipal District- 58,552, North Dayi District- 39,268, South Dayi District- 57,526, Ho Municipal Assembly- 180,420, Adaklu District-38,649 and Afadzato South District- 73,146.
The concerned NDC supporters are now calling on President Mahama to address this disparity and ensure that appointments reflect the diverse makeup of the region.
They argue that the rapid population growth in the area necessitates greater infrastructural development and stronger political representation to advocate for their needs.
Historical and political context
The northern part of the Volta Region has a unique historical background.
Unlike the south, which was historically part of the Gold Coast colony, much of the north was originally under German rule before being placed under British administration after World War I.
This distinction, they argue, has contributed to a long history of political and economic neglect, which continues to manifest in the current government’s appointment policies.
With the Volta Region population expected to reach a population of 1.8 million by 2025 and 2.1 million by 2030, residents stress the need for inclusive governance that prioritizes balanced regional development.
By ELVIS DARKO, Accra