Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Vice-Presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party, has given full assurance to the people of the Northern Region that when given the mandate, the NPP would deliver on its promise to make education free up to the Senior High School level. Dr. Bawumia was speaking to the people of Saamni in the Nalerigu-Gambaga constituency on Wednesday when he kicked off his 9-day tour of Mamprugu. Addressing the people in an impeccable Mampruli, Dr. Bawumia said “we have promised to make education free to the Senior High School level and that is exactly what we would do. We won’t promise you and come and give excuses. Under Nana Akufo-Addo, Secondary school would be free and this would help all of us to give our children the quality education they need to make their lives better”. The NPP running mate noted that the NPP as the party, which introduced the capitation grant at the basic level, knows very well what it would take to make secondary education free. He said that the Free SHS pledge was not only a priority for Nana Akufo-Addo but that it was also critical for the future of the nation and especially the large sections of the society which are impoverished. According to him, “education is the only credible way of transforming livelihoods and creating a decent life.” Dr. Bawumia’s nine-day tour will see him touring the three constituencies which constitute the Mamprugu traditional area of the Northern Region. These are Nalerigu-Gambaga, Walewale and Yagaba-Kubore. The first day of the tour saw Dr. Bawumia addressing the Chiefs and elders as well as youth and women groups at various community durbars in the towns and villages toured. The chiefs and elders of the communities toured pledged their support to the NPP and Dr. Bawumia and spoke of how their livelihoods had deteriorated in the last three years. The durbars also witnessed many self-confessed sympathizers of the NDC (and now defectors) openly declaring their support for Dr. Bawumia. Most of them spoke of how years of support for the NDC had brought little improvements in their lives. “We have been under the shade of the umbrella since 1992. Now we realize that the umbrella is completely torn, and incapable of offering any solace from the scorching sun. We have therefore decided to leave and to join the elephant family. At least we know the elephant is big enough to provide nutrition for everybody”, a former NDC youth leader in Langbensi said to loud applause from the audience. Dr. Bawumia was accompanied on the tour by a number of eminent NPP personalities from the Mamprugu area. The first day of the tour saw Dr. Bawumia and his team visiting communities such as Gagish, Saamni, Langbensi town, Wundua, Dagbiriboari, Tamboku, Nawaku, Bokko, Gbangu, Bongbini, Nyingari and La’tarigu. Dr. Bawumia before commencing the tour sought the blessings of the Overlord of Mamprugu Na Bohagu Mahami Abdulai Sheriga at the Na Sheriga Palace in Nalerigu. Na Bohagu Mahami Abdulai Sheriga gave his full blessings to Dr. Bawumia and his team and advised Dr. Bawumia to inform his people of the developmental plans of the NPP for the Mamprugu people when elected.