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For over three decades, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Daboya/Mankarigu Constituency has developed a pattern of changing its parliamentary candidates almost every four years. This culture of frequent turnover has denied the constituency the continuity and influence needed to accelerate development.
A review of our parliamentary history illustrates this trend:
1992: Hon. Alhassan Aleadong
1996: Hon. Mahama Adam Sanka
2008: Hon. Sammy B. Wusah
2012: Hon. Baani Abudu
2016: Hon. Shaibu Mahama Obei
2024: Hon. Shaibu Mahama Obei
Today, Daboya/Mankarigu remains one of the most deprived constituencies in Ghana. Many communities continue to struggle with inadequate infrastructure, poor road networks, limited access to electricity and telecommunications, and poor healthcare. It is difficult to expect different developmental outcomes when we continue to repeat the same political pattern every four years.
Whenever a new Member of Parliament enters Parliament, a significant part of the first term is spent learning parliamentary procedures, building relationships, and establishing the networks necessary to bring development to the people. Just when that MP begins to gain experience and influence, the constituency replaces them, forcing us to start all over again.
This cycle has denied Daboya/Mankarigu the opportunity to build senior parliamentary leadership and ensure continuity in pursuing long-term development projects. We cannot continue to start from zero every four years if we genuinely want development.
The case for retaining the current Member of Parliament, Hon. Shaibu Mahama Obei, beyond the 2028 elections is therefore based on institutional continuity, experience, and measurable results.
After his election in 2016, Hon. Obei served on Parliament’s Constitutional and Legal Affairs Committee. Although he lost the 2020 parliamentary election to hon Asei Mahama,it was the first time since 1992 ,the NDC in Daboya/ Mankarigu has repeated a candidate. His competence and legal expertise were widely recognised. He was subsequently appointed Director of Legal at the Office of the Speaker of Parliament, a position that reflected the confidence reposed in him by parliamentary leadership.
Following his re-election in 2024, his parliamentary experience earned him the position of Chairman of the Constitutional and Legal Affairs Committee, making him the first Member of Parliament from the Savannah Region to chair such a key parliamentary committee.
Under his parliamentary leadership, Ghana has made significant progress in legal education reforms, including expanding access to legal education and addressing the long-standing backlog of LLB graduates awaiting professional legal training.
Within the constituency, visible progress has also been made in healthcare, education, infrastructure, youth development, and women’s empowerment. Among the notable achievements are:
1.Facilitating the posting of the first-ever resident medical doctor to the district.
2.Renovating and refurbishing the Out-Patient Department (OPD) and a ward of the Daboya Health Centre, including the installation of air conditioners.
3.Sponsoring the construction of an ultra-modern theatre and additional wards at the Daboya Health Centre.
4.Introducing educational interventions such as stakeholders dialogue to discuss poor performance of BECE candidates, scholarships, awards for the three best BECE candidates from every Junior High School, common mock examinations, and extra classes, all of which are beginning to produce results.We have seen great improvements in this years BECE results.
5.Securing a fair share of national recruitment opportunities for constituents into the Police Service, Ghana National Fire Service, Ghana Prisons Service, Ghana Immigration Service, the Ghana Armed Forces, the Ghana Education Service, GoldBod, banks, National Security, and other institutions.
6.Facilitating ongoing rural telephony expansion and electricity extension projects across the constituency.
7.Lobbying successfully for contractors to return to site and continue work on the Daboya–Bonsunu Road, the Daboya–Mankarigu Road, and the Daboya township roads before the end of the year.
Many people within and outside the constituency acknowledge that Hon. Obei is performing creditably both in Parliament and at the constituency level.
Across Ghana, constituencies that have retained experienced Members of Parliament over several terms have generally benefited from stronger representation, greater influence, and more sustained development. Nearby constituencies such as Damongo, Yapei-Kusawgu, Tolon,Yagba-Kubore and Walewale have all benefited from continuity in parliamentary leadership.
Damongo provides an important lesson. Like Daboya/Mankarigu, it once experienced frequent changes in parliamentary representation when it was Damongo/Daboya. However, since embracing continuity from 2012 onwards, the constituency has enjoyed increased stability and sustained development. There is much we can learn from that experience.
After investing nearly a decade in building parliamentary experience, legal authority, national networks, and leadership influence, replacing Hon. Shaibu Mahama Obei in 2028 would once again reset the constituency’s progress. Retaining him would preserve the momentum already achieved and position Daboya/Mankarigu to secure even greater development in the years ahead.
The time has come for the people of Daboya/Mankarigu to break the cycle of changing Members of Parliament every four years. We have followed that path for more than thirty years, and the result is nothing to boost of. If we truly desire accelerated development, then continuity must become part of our political culture.
It is time to embrace a new direction. It is time to build on experience rather than discard it. It is time to give continuity a chance.
By Dr.Ahmed-Dawale Mohammed
