PPP determined to win Tamale Central seat
The Progressive People’s Party (PPP) parliamentary candidate for the Tamale Central constituency, Ms Mariama Adam, is determined to make history by annexing the seat for her party.
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Apart from the fact that she is the only female in the contest, she is also contending with eight other candidates, including two popular political stalwarts, Mr Inusah Fuseini of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and Mr Musah Superior of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
In spite of this, Ms Adam is optimistic of her chances because in her estimation the youth and women have really appreciated the PPP’s campaign message and were willing to give it a try.
In an interview with graphic.com.gh, she said the youth and women were at the heart of her campaign because they constituted a significant chunk of the electorate.
“I have been meeting them in smaller groups and this has enabled me to share with them the party’s manifesto pledges and the things I intend to do if I am elected,” she stated.
She stressed that being the only female did not scare her, but was rather a source of strength to her due to the increasing awareness of the potential of women in leadership position.
“Almost everywhere I go, the clarion call is for the people to try a woman this time around and see what women can do,” she said.
“Our party offers hope for the youth and not deceit. We are focused on teaching them how to fish to make them useful to themselves now and in the future,” Ms Adam contended.
She said unlike other parties that were givingg monies to voters, the PPP was bringing on the table jobs because that was what the youth needed to become self-sufficient.
Ms Adam said in addition to empowering women and the youth, she would focus her attention to addressing the poor sanitation situation inTamale Central.
“If elected, one of my priorities would be to ensure that the evacuation of garbage from the various dumpsites is regular and effective,” she said.
She also revealed her intention to champion the malaria spraying exercise in her constituency as one of the interventions to reduce malaria infection.
Ms Adam, who is relatively new in politics, said she has the founder and flag-bearer of the PPP, Dr Papa Kwesi Nduom, to thank for literally dragging her into politics.
“So many politicians came to me in the past and I said no, but Dr Ndoum succeeded in arousing my interest in politics, especially due to his interest in youth and women’s mobilisation,” she noted.
Ms Adam has worked with the Northern Regional Library for 18 years. She has also had short stints with a number of non-governmental organisations, including OXFAM, Women Assistants and Business Association (WABA) and Right to Play.
“Years of working with the library and these NGOs have contributed to my interest in youth-focused activities,” she said.
Story by Nurudeen Salifu