The Member of Parliament for Yendi, Honourable Abdul Fatawu Alhassan, has stated that the New Patriotic Party’s electoral defeat stemmed from the economic difficulties many citizens endured during the party’s eight years in government. He explained that public confidence in the party weakened significantly as households struggled with hardship and declining trust in leadership.
“Ghanaians punished NPP the way they punished them because of the situation they found themselves in. It’s going to take them a great deal of effort to get Ghanaians to forget the ordeal they went through under their eight year rule.”
Hon. Abdul Fatawu Alhassan
In his assessment, the Yendi Parliamentarian indicated that the opposition party still faces a major challenge in rebuilding credibility among voters ahead of future elections. He added that political mobilisation alone would not be enough to erase the memories of the economic pressure many Ghanaians experienced.
Honourable Alhassan further argued that recent comments by the party’s former presidential candidate, Dr. Bawumia showed an acknowledgement that public trust in the party has diminished. He observed that repeated references to trust during political engagements pointed to concerns within the party over its current standing with the electorate.
From his perspective, voters are more likely to support political leaders they believe can provide credible solutions to economic challenges. The MP therefore stressed that confidence in leadership remains a decisive factor in Ghana’s democratic process.
The Politician explained that while the party may reorganise internally and strengthen its structures, the memories associated with the economic downturn remain fresh among sections of the electorate. He remarked that rebuilding public confidence would require consistent effort and visible outcomes over time.
Meanwhile, Honourable Alhassan rejected suggestions that the governing National Democratic Congress could quickly lose public support through unmet expectations. He argued that the scale of economic challenges inherited by the current administration requires time and sustained intervention.
The Yendi MP pointed out that many Ghanaians expected an immediate turnaround following the change in government because of the strong electoral mandate given to the NDC. He nevertheless emphasised that economic recovery processes are gradual and cannot be achieved within a short period.
The Yendi MP also linked the previous administration to the worsening illegal mining situation, commonly known as galamsey. He explained that decisions allowing mining activities in forest reserves contributed to the expansion of illegal operations across several parts of the country.
Government Defends Anti Galamsey Measures And Road Monitoring Efforts
Honourable Abdul Fatawu Alhassan defended the government’s approach to the fight against illegal mining, insisting that corrective measures introduced by the current administration are beginning to produce results. He contended that reversing years of environmental destruction would require patience, enforcement, and sustained political commitment.
Speaking on the issue, the Yendi Parliamentarian explained that the repeal of laws permitting mining in forest reserves represented a major policy intervention. He added that the decision restored restrictions that previously prevented mining activities in protected areas.
In further remarks, the MP acknowledged that extensive environmental damage occurred before the repeal took effect. He however argued that the new legal direction sends a strong signal that operations within forest reserves would no longer be tolerated.
He also disclosed that arrests and prosecutions linked to illegal mining activities were ongoing across the country. Besides that, he indicated that security agencies and state institutions continue to intensify enforcement efforts in affected communities.
“This will not be a nine day wonder. The situation was dire and there has been a lot of corrective measures. And one is the way we have been able to get the youth involved in this fight. In this fight, I believe that anyone who thought it could be won within a very short period, given that there was a wide door open for over eight years for people to go in and act with impunity, must appreciate that it is still going to take us a lot of effort to correct the situation.”
Hon. Abdul Fatawu Alhassan
The MP additionally rejected claims that conditions of major water bodies had worsened under the current administration. He maintained that some rivers have shown signs of improvement through ongoing clean up exercises and government intervention.
While discussing developments in his constituency, Honourable Alhassan referred to conditions around the Oti River and stressed that authorities are monitoring environmental changes closely. He also urged critics to examine reports from Ghana Water Limited regarding water treatment and quality levels before drawing conclusions.
On infrastructure development, the MP defended recent actions by the Roads Minister following concerns over stalled projects nationwide. He described the minister’s regional tours and inspections as evidence of active supervision and accountability within the sector.
According to the Yendi Parliamentarian, contractors handling delayed projects are now facing stricter monitoring from the ministry. He stated that the government intends to ensure that timelines are respected and unfinished works are properly assessed before further delays occur.
Furthermore, Honourable Alhassan argued that early inspections by the Roads Minister should be viewed as a positive administrative approach. He explained that continuous monitoring would help identify challenges quickly and compel contractors to remain active on site.
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