Report by: Ibrahim Muniru
The National Coordinator of SOYAYA, a pro-National Democratic Congress (NDC) women-led group, Sherifa Saaka, has asked Muslims of the Upper West Region not to vote for the 2024 Presidential Candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia because he is a Muslim.
According to her, the vice president, though a Muslim, cares less about Muslims, hence, does not deserve their votes.
Madam Sherifa touted the love John Dramani Mahama, the NDC 2024 Presidential Candidate, has for Muslims despite not being one. She urged the Muslim population to rather vote for the former president and the NDC, statng that Mahama cares for Muslims.
Justifying her claim, the Soyaya Coordinator noted that, ”Under John Mahama, hajj was GHC17,000, but under Nana Addo and Dr. Bawumia, hajj is GHC75,000”.
Sherifa Saaka made this call while addressing participants at a ceremony in Wa, the Upper West Regional Capital, where the Soyaya (Love) initiative was officially launched for the region.
The event which took place on Saturday, November 2, 2024, at the forecourt of the Wa Jubilee Park, brought together thousands of women in the region.
Madam Sherifa indicated that, women empowerment is a priority to the NDC, stating that the next NDC government under John Mahama will cater to the needs of women across the country.
“John Mahama has promised to establish Women Development Bank to support women of the country when he comes back as presisdnt of Ghana”, she remarked.
This bank, she said, will give interest-free loans to women who are into small-scale businesses. Also, there will not be the need to present collateral as prerequisite for the loan, she added.
She underscored the significance of the bank in helping to reduce the struggles women go through to access financial support to run their businesses.
Making reference to the past, Sherifa claimed that the Upper West Region will be better off under John Mahama.
She recalled that, it was under John Mahama that the Upper West Regional hospital was constructed and the Wa Airport upgraded to enable commercial flights into the region.
She, therefore, urged the people of the region to have faith with the NDC and Mr. Mahama, as he presents the surest bet for Ghana’s economic revival.
