Tensions have escalated in the Damongo Constituency as a section of National Democratic Congress (NDC) youth have issued threats against the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for West Gonja Municipal Assembly over the potential awarding of contracts to members of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP).
The controversy unfolded on Friday when NDC youth convened two separate meetings with the MCE, Hon Yakubu Yussif Castro, first at the Damongo Community Center in the afternoon and later at the NDC Damongo Constituency party office in the evening. During these meetings, the youth allegedly threatened to attack both the West Gonja Municipal Assembly and the MCE if contracts are awarded to Alhaji Rambo or Rass Banku, who are prominent NPP members in the constituency.
The controversy stems from a decision by the Member of Parliament for Damongo Constituency, Hon Lawyer Samuel Abu Jinapor, to utilize his share of the MPs Common Fund for two development projects: constructing a 3-unit classroom block at the Damongo Technical Institute and building a CHPS Compound in a village within the West Gonja Municipality.
Following the publication of the contract tender, various contractors, including Rass Banku and Alhaji Rambo both certified contractors submitted applications. The contract awarding committee is currently in the assessment phase and has not yet made any final decisions on contractor selection.
The NDC youth made it clear that their primary concern is Alhaji Rambo, who previously defected from the NDC to join the NPP. During Friday’s meetings, the group threatened to physically assault MCE Castro and stage a demonstration calling on President John Mahama to remove him from office if their demands are not met.
Sources within the Damongo constituency NDC suggest that the situation may be more complex than it appears on the surface. Deep throat sources indicate that certain individuals within the constituency are allegedly attempting to incite grassroots members against MCE Castro, potentially seeking to create problems that would lead to his removal and replacement with their preferred candidates.
It is important to note that the MCE and the Municipal Assembly have no direct control over how MPs choose to utilize their share of the Common Fund. While the Assembly controls its own portion of the Common Fund, the MP’s share remains under the legislator’s discretion, making the threats directed at the MCE procedurally misplaced.
The situation remains fluid as the contract awarding committee continues its assessment process, with stakeholders watching closely to see how the administration will navigate these mounting political pressures.
