BONABOTO Cries Over Minister�s Dismissal

The leadership of a civil society organisation formed with membership from Bolgatanga, Nabdam, Bongo and Tongo (BONABOTO) in the Upper East Region, has complained of continuous marginalisation and discrimination by successive governments against people from these districts in political appointments. The Regional Chairperson of BONABOTO, Madam Augustina Ayivore, in a statement to the media, said from 2001 to date none of the people from the BONABOTO districts who were appointed ministers of state stayed in office for more than two years. Boniface Gambilla from the Nabdam District, who was appointed a regional minister under the New Patriotic Party (NPP) regime, stayed in office for two years. Dr. Ephraim Avea Nsoh from the Bongo District was appointed by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) as a regional minister for a total period of 15 months in office. The organisation wants all political parties and the John Mahama-led NDC government to take note of the unfair treatment to its people, especially since the constituencies in the BONABOTO districts have been instrumental in the victory of successive governments, particularly the NDC. Although the statement made reference to successive governments, the decision to cry out was obviously triggered by the dismissal of Dr. Avea Nsoh, who has enjoyed so much support and sympathy from various groups since the news broke out.