Three women have picked up nomination forms to contest in the National Democratic Congress (NDC) primaries for the Tamale Central constituency, following the death of the area’s Member of Parliament.

They will face competition from ten male aspirants who have also filed to contest.

The female aspirants are Mariama Naamaa Salifu, Muliaka Sualisu, and Hajia Shamima Yakubu.

Mariama, a diplomat currently serving at the Ghanaian Embassy in Niamey, Niger, is considered a strong contender. She has a background in diaspora advocacy, women’s empowerment, and policy implementation. Her campaign focuses on job creation, entrepreneurship, and vocational training for the youth. She has also pledged to promote women’s empowerment through improved access to education, healthcare, and financial inclusion.

On education, Mariama has promised to strengthen schools, provide scholarships, and expand ICT access, while committing to championing community development projects such as roads, sanitation, and energy. She further intends to leverage international networks to support local development initiatives through diaspora engagement.

Hajia Shamima Yakubu currently serves as the NDC’s Regional Treasurer, while little is known about the third female aspirant, Muliaka Sualisu, as those who picked up her forms declined to provide details.

The male aspirants include Abdul Hanan Gundadoo, former Mayor of Tamale; Abdul Rauf Halid, National Vice Chairman of the NDC; Dr Seidu Mohammed, lecturer at the University for Development Studies; Dr Rahman A. Rashid; Dr Aliu Abdul Hamid, civil engineer; Prof Razak Abubakari, senior lecturer at Tamale Technical University; Alhaji Alhassan Nbalba, former NDC UK Chapter Chairman; Prof Alidu Seidu, senior lecturer at the University of Ghana; and Alhassan Osman Gomda, an entrepreneur.

The NDC opened nominations on August 22, 2025, and will close them on August 24. Submission of completed forms is scheduled for August 28, followed by vetting, balloting, and appeals on August 31. The by-election is set for September 6, 2025.