By: Hafiz Timbile
The Rt. Hon Speaker of Ghana’s Parliament, Alban S.K. Bagbin, has stated that his decision to join public service through politics was moved by a desire to ensure the lives of Ghanaians are improved. This, he has been doing since becoming a Member of Parliament (MP) in 1993.
According to the longest serving MP, he accepted “the call for public service as a political leader for only one reason: to assist in bettering the lives of my people.”
“So throughout my political career, I have looked for ways and means of bringing development to the Nadowli-Kaleo District, the Upper West Region, the North, and Ghana as a whole,” he stated.
Citing the recently unveiled SheaPark Industrial Resource Hub, Mr. Bagbin said it is one such “attempt at enhancing the economic lives of our people.”
He dispelled misconceptions that his entrance into politics was for personal gains, indicating he had a successful law career before the decision to join politics.
“I was a prosperous legal practitioner in Accra. I was the only person from the North at that time practising in Accra, and I was in court every day,” he stated, adding that “detractors can never stop us from doing what we believe is good for our people.”
The Speaker made these comments during the Sod-cutting ceremony for the construction of an assembly hall for the Wa Naa Palace.
Conference Hall
The ultra-modern roomier sitting hall, which he described as “a transgenerational act”, is the first of four phases intended to give a major face-lift to the seat of the Wala Kingdom since 1920.
“The idea behind the project is to have a befitting meeting conference hall for the Wa Naa and other traditional authorities to enable them to conveniently host visitors and also have their own meetings,” he explained.
He assured the chiefs and people that the intended face-lift will not deface the original architecture of the Palace. “Bearing in mind the historical and socio-cultural significance of this Palace, the current construction will not demolish or vary the original Sudanese architecture,” he stated.
Alban Bagbin expressed hope that the facility will be completed ahead of time before the 2026 Dumba festival, stating that the contractor will begin work immediately.
He, however, urged the people to stay united and avoid disputes that could stall the progress of the project. He said “conflict is the worst enemy of development, the scarecrow that drives away investors,” thus, urged all to see the project as one that would further cement unity in the area.
Wa as Gateway to Upper West Region
According to the former Nadowli-Kaleo lawmaker, the location of Wa as the capital and gateway to the Upper West Region makes it incumbent for the city to be uplifted in order to attract investors.
He, thus, pledged to “assist in turning Wa into an attractive and welcoming city which can host important visitors.”
He described as reckless comments that seek to equate the North to zongos in the south. He cautioned residents to desist from acts that can mar the beauty of the city and drive investors away.
For Mr. Bagbin, residents must work collectively to ensure growth and development in the region. He concluded by asking God to “unite us as one people with a shared heritage and destiny.”
