Oti: Ntruboman youth cry over NDC gov't's neglect

The youth of Ntruboman in the Nkwanta South Municipality are frustrated. They feel neglected by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) governments. At a press conference on April 4, they expressed their concerns while dressed in red to protest. They accused the NDC of sidelining them despite their loyalty to the party.

The group congratulated President John Dramani Mahama and MP Geoffrey Kini on their victories in 2024. They also acknowledged Mr. Joseph Antwi's appointment as Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Nkwanta South. However, they were disappointed that a qualified Ntrubo candidate was overlooked again.

Since 1992, no member of the Ntrubo ethnic group has been appointed as MCE or to significant political office under an NDC government. In contrast, members from other local groups have received appointments. The Akyodes have held the MCE position four times and have had roles under previous governments.

Despite overwhelming support for the NDC, the Ntrubos feel unrecognized. They presented voting statistics showing that their area delivered 81.34% of votes to the NDC in 2024. This is compared to 16.07% from Akyode areas and 74.86% from Adele communities.

The youth criticized last-minute political moves that removed strong Ntrubo candidates from nominations. They alleged interference by powerful party figures at the national level. “We feel neglected and mistreated by the NDC,” said Mr. Frank Yeboah, a lead convener.

They warned that growing disillusionment could hurt party support in future elections if not addressed promptly. The group issued four demands to the NDC leadership:

1. Immediate appointment of Ntrubo citizens to key government positions.
2. Construction of critical roads linking Brewaniase, Pusupu, Akyem Ntrubo, Bontibor, and Salifukrom.
3. Creation of an independent Ntrubo District for better development.
4. Establishment of a teacher training or nursing college in Ntruboman.

They appealed to President Mahama and other leaders for swift action on these issues to restore goodwill with the party in their community.

“We are not against the newly nominated MCE,” they clarified. “We seek fairness and recognition for our contributions.”