Filed by: Ibrahim Muniru
The Wa West District has recorded a dramatic reduction in multidimensional poverty in four years, falling from 61.9% in 2021 to 24.0% in 2025, the latest report by the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) has revealed. According to the GSS, the 37.9 percentage point drop over four years is the largest improvement recorded nationally during the period.
This improvement has won the Member of Parliament (MP) for the area, Supt. (rtd) Peter Lanchene Toobu, some praises as he is lauded for distinguished leadership in his first term in parliament.
At a press conference, the Wa West Constituency Executive Committee of the NDC attributed the turnaround to the leadership of the MP. The NDC Constituency Chairman, Mathew Vaare said “Hon. Toobu took over the Constituency at a time [Wa West] was amongst the poorest districts in Ghana.” However, due to the stellar leadership from the MP, the story today is changing, and the people have every reason to be proud, he stated.
Targeted Interventions Drive Change
Mr. Vaare outlined several initiatives implemented during Toobu’s first term from 2021 to 2025, which he said are in line with the MP’s vision: “To better the everyday lives of my constituents through the introduction of customised innovation in consultation with relevant stakeholders”. These include:
– Support for hundreds of students to pay school fees across the constituency.
– Financial support for small businesses, including programmes targeting Women in Business.
– The launch of the Future-Today Project, a youth-based programme.
– The Water is Wealth dry season farming initiative, launched in early 2026, which distributed pumping machines from NAIMOS to youth groups for dry season gardening.
– Broad registration of LEAP beneficiaries to ensure the most vulnerable were captured.
– Promotion of communal labour for community projects instead of relying on single contractors.
– Drilling of boreholes in multiple communities to provide potable water and reduce waterborne diseases.
– Donation of two motorbikes to the police to improve patrols and reduce crime.
– Provision of waterproof life jackets to the district NADMO office to support safe cross-border trade between Ghana and Burkina Faso on the Black Volta.
– Direct assistance to farmers.
The NDC Executive Committee said the interventions collectively had a significant impact on reducing poverty and improving living conditions in the district.
Collaborative Effort and Future Plans
The party acknowledged the role of faith-based organizations, including the Catholic Church, Church of Pentecost, other Christian denominations, Islamic groups, and NGOs, alongside traditional leaders, women groups, and youth associations.
“Leadership is influence. Hon. Peter Lanchene Toobu has proven beyond all reasonable doubt that purposeful and committed leadership transforms lives and communities,” they said.
Looking ahead, the committee said Wa West will align with President Mahama’s “Reset Agenda” to make further gains in health, security, energy, water, agriculture, communication, digital technology, and education over the next four years.
“We have found the right direction. Let’s stay on course. Let’s stay united and channel our energies to fighting poverty, deprivation and under-development,” the statement concluded.
