The former District Chief Executive (DCE) for Builsa South, Daniel Kwame Gariba, has officially declared his intention to contest for the position of Regional Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Upper East Region.
Mr. Gariba said his decision is driven by a commitment to strengthen the NPP’s structures and make the party more competitive in a region long considered a stronghold of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).
“I’m going in for the Regional Secretary position of the NPP to make it stronger — to build a stronger NPP in the region,” he said. “The NPP has grown over the years, but we are still not dominant in the Upper East Region. That is what I seek to change.”
Drawing from his political experience in Builsa South, Mr. Gariba — who made the remarks on A1 Radio — highlighted how his leadership helped transform the party’s standing in the constituency.
“When I came to Builsa South, the NPP was always number three — the NDC first, the PNC second, and we came third. But through strategic organization and hard work, we changed that narrative. By 2020 and 2024, elections became unpredictable. You couldn’t easily tell who would win — that’s the competitive spirit I want to bring to the region,” he said.
According to him, his vision is to create a political environment where elections in the Upper East Region are not predetermined but contested based on performance, ideas, and hard work.
“The NDC should not continue to boast that the Upper East Region is their stronghold. Every election should be a contest based on merit,” he stressed.
Mr. Gariba further argued that the NPP’s past electoral successes in the region prove that dominance is achievable.
“We have won seats in about nine constituencies before — Builsa North, Chiana-Paga, Navrongo Central, Talensi, Nabdam, Bawku, Zebilla, and Tempane. If we could do it then, we can do it again,” he said confidently.
He emphasized that his ambition goes beyond winning the secretary position; it is about reshaping the region’s political narrative.
“We must get to a point where after elections, the NDC doesn’t sweep all the seats. Out of 15 constituencies, we should be competing neck and neck. It’s doable, and I believe we can make it happen,” he concluded.
Source: a1radioonline.com|101.1|Moses Apiah|Bolgatanga
