The governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) has accused the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), particularly former President John Dramani Mahama, of neglecting the Zongo communities despite the significant electoral support they have received from these areas.

According to the NPP, the NDC’s failure to deliver on promises to Zongo residents has led to a decline in support from what was once considered an NDC stronghold.

At a media interaction on Thursday, the NPP launched the Gaskiya Forum (Truth Forum), a platform led by the Bawumia For President 2024 National Zongo Campaign. The forum aims to highlight the NDC’s perceived neglect of the Zongos and present the NPP as the party genuinely committed to the development of these communities.

Alhaji Ben Abdallah Banda, Presidential Coordinator for Zongo Development and Chairman of the Bawumia For President Zongo Campaign, addressed the media, accusing the NDC of offering little tangible development for the Zongos, despite years of overwhelming electoral support.

He noted that apart from the late President Rawlings’ agreement to establish national holidays for Eid, the NDC has not contributed meaningfully to Zongo development in the Fourth Republic.

"In the Fourth Republic, only two parties, the NDC and the NPP, have had the opportunity to lead the country. From 1992, the Zongo communities consistently voted massively for the NDC, leading to the election of three NDC regimes—Rawlings, Mills, and Mahama. Despite this support, Zongos have nothing to show for it," Abdallah stated.

He emphasised that the people of Zongo have been left with unfulfilled promises from the NDC, pointing to the party's lack of deliberate policies aimed at improving the livelihoods of Zongo residents.

Unfulfilled Promises from Mahama and the NDC

The Gaskiya Forum presented what it called a record of vague and unfulfilled promises made by the NDC during Mahama’s time in office. These include promises from the 2008 and 2012 elections that they said never materialised.

Prior to the 2008 elections, the NDC promised to “upgrade existing infrastructure and facilities in the Zongos.” However, the NPP claims that this promise was never explained, and no substantial progress was made.

Instead, according to the forum, the NDC “cruelly” cancelled allowances for Arabic instructors (Makaranta teachers), which had been introduced by the NPP under President Kufuor.

In 2012, while contesting for re-election, Mahama promised to expand access to technical and vocational education and training (TVET) in the Zongos. The promise included bursaries for disadvantaged students and stipends for apprentices. Yet, according to the Gaskiya Forum, this promise, too, was left unfulfilled during his presidency.

The 2016 Election Cycle

The forum further criticised Mahama’s 2016 campaign promises, arguing that after failing to deliver on his 2012 commitments, Mahama returned with new promises that again lacked specifics.

The NDC pledged to consolidate social protection initiatives and lift the vulnerable out of poverty. However, the Gaskiya Forum questioned what actions Mahama had taken in the Zongos to build upon, asserting that no meaningful policy had been implemented.

"The people of Zongo, after years of supporting the NDC, saw through the deceit and decided enough was enough," Abdallah noted. This, he said, led to a shift in support towards the NPP in the 2016 elections, marking the beginning of a “renaissance” for the party in Zongo communities.

NPP’s commitment to Zongo Development

The Gaskiya Forum contrasted the NPP’s approach to the NDC’s, citing the NPP’s track record of delivering on its promises to the Zongos.

Abdallah highlighted the NPP’s promotion of diversity through its Christian-Muslim presidential ticket, the reintroduction of the Makaranta teachers’ allowance, and the historic creation of the Zongo Development Fund, which has financed several projects in Zongo communities.

He also pointed to the rise of Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia to lead the NPP as a testament to the NPP’s respect for diversity and its commitment to empowering Zongo communities.