Johnson Ayine, a member of the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) Upper East Regional Communication team, has called on the media to intensify scrutiny of Members of Parliament (MPs) from the Upper East Region.
Speaking on Dreamz FM’s morning programme with James Nana Tsiquaye, Ayine emphasized that constructive criticism and public pressure are vital for ensuring elected officials fulfil their responsibilities to their constituents.
“I am happy the media in the Upper East are now turning our attention to our MPs because this is the way to go,” Ayine said. “We ought to put pressure and criticize them so they do the needful for the people of Upper East Region.”
He highlighted the lack of visible advocacy from MPs in the region, stressing that this accountability is crucial for driving development and addressing community needs.
“Upper East is the region that is lagging behind, and you’ll hardly see our MPs fighting seriously for us,” he said. Ayine referenced the National Democratic Congress’s (NDC) “Agenda 15/15,” which promised major development initiatives, questioning whether the delivery matches the support the region provided. “The people of Upper East gave them the 15/15. What they are delivering, does it tally with the endorsement given to them?”
Ayine also raised concerns about the government’s “big push” infrastructure initiative. “I keep talking about the big push. The 32 big push old projects— for Upper East, the only place we are benefiting is the Navrongo-Tumu road, which connects regions,” he said, noting that most benefits appear directed toward the Upper West Region.
“So why should we just be happy with a government that we delivered 15/15, for us to be talking of a certain perception that is tied to Upper West?” he added, urging MPs to improve representation and ensure the region receives its fair share of attention and resources.
In the 2024 elections, the NPP lost Binduri, the only Upper East seat it had won in 2020, to the NDC.
