Concerns over the slow pace of development in the Madina Constituency have intensified, with some NDC constituency executive members arguing that the area is not receiving the level of leadership and infrastructure befitting one of Accra’s major cosmopolitan communities.

Prof. Abu Yaya, Chairman of the NDC Madina Moral 1A Police Station branch and a constituency executive member, says the current state of the constituency does not reflect its importance or growing population.

“The current level of development and leadership being offered and witnessed presently in the Constituency does not correlate to the status befitting and deserving of a Constituency such as Madina,” he said.

He cited poor road infrastructure as one of the major concerns confronting residents, arguing that several roads in the constituency have deteriorated without the needed attention.

“If you look at the road infrastructure in Madina, there are a lot of dilapidated roads that need repair. But what is being done on it? Nothing. Nothing,” Prof. Abu Yaya said.

According to him, the concerns go beyond roads, with residents also raising issues about access to jobs and engagement with their Member of Parliament.

“Everybody is complaining. Some of them complain they don’t have job, they call the MP, nothing. They don’t hear from him,” he said.

Prof. Abu Yaya believes Members of Parliament have a responsibility to lobby for development and opportunities for their constituents, even where they do not have direct control over such opportunities.

Asked whether he believes the MP has not done enough lobbying for the constituency, Prof. Abu Yaya was blunt.

“Leadership has failed. Madina’s growing population makes the need for stronger leadership and expanded infrastructure increasingly urgent,” he said.

He also argues that effective representation is not only about providing financial support, but also maintaining communication and offering encouragement to constituents.

“One thing about leadership is not about you giving people money. Even words of encouragement is also something. But a case whereby you call your MP, and the person is not responding to your call, what does it tell you? Is that person ready to govern people?” he said.

Against this backdrop, Prof. Abu Yaya says he is backing former NDC National Youth Organiser Sidi Abubakar to contest the party’s parliamentary primaries and seek to represent the constituency in the 2028 elections.

“For me, the best person to offer the needed development and leadership of the Constituency at a time such as this is no other person than Hon. Sidi Abu-Bakr. He has got the can-do spirit, is results-oriented, and his work at the Ghana Airport Company Limited in shaping the transformation that is being witnessed speaks of his substance and capability,” he said.

The Madina Constituency corresponds to the La Nkwantanang-Madina Municipality, which recorded a population of 244,676 in the 2021 Population and Housing Census.

The emerging contest is likely to place the pace of development, quality of representation and accountability at the centre of the political debate in Madina as parties and potential candidates position themselves ahead of 2028.