Filed by: Hafiz Timbile
Charles Lwanga Puozuing, Regional Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has given indication that he will be happy to serve as the Upper West Regional Minister should he be given the nod.
According to him, he is ready to serve in any position that the president would deem fit for him, including the regional minister of the Upper West. Lawyer Charles believes he has the qualification for the top post in the region and would relish the opportunity to occupy the office.
“I believe that I am qualified to any position, [be it] substantive ministerial position [to help him] lead the nation or at the regional level.” He stated.
Mr. Puozuing concluded that “If I am called upon by him (President Mahama) to serve the people of Upper West, why not? I’m ready and willing to take that mantle and serve the people of the Upper West region”.
Earlier reports from sources close to the Presidency indicated that the Regional Secretary has been earmarked to get the nod as the Upper West Regional Minister. This comes after reports suggest that he has not applied for the post.
According to sources close to this portal, Mr. Lwanga Puozuing had had his eyes on the post of Director-General of the National Lottery Authority (NLA). However, a letter dated January 15, 2025, signed by the Secretary to the President, Dr. Callistus Mahama, appointed Alhaji Mohammed Abdul-Salam, the Northern Regional Secretary of the NDC as the acting Director General of the NLA pending approval of the Authority’s Board in consultation with the Public Services Commission.
Some three names: Iddrisu Mahmud, Regional Deputy Organiser, Cuthbert Kuupiel, former Nandom DCE, and Bennin Hajei, former parliamentary aspirant for Sissala East, had earlier surfaced as the top runners for the post, which brought tensions among members of the NDC in the region.
However, there has been considerable calm following the mention of Lawyer Charles Lwanga as the man tipped to lead the region.
His potential appointment as the Regional Minister has been considered by many as one that will eliminate internal bickering, foster unity and build party cohesion in the region. They believe he is well placed to effectively serve the region while ensuring the welfare of party members.
Meanwhile, Mr. Puozuing has called for calm as residents of the Upper West region await anxiously for President Mahama to announce the name of the next Minister.
The Upper West is one of three regions yet to have nominees for the position of regional minister.
He therefore urged the residents “to be patient and hold on to the rumours” about who becomes the next regional minister, indicating that the President would make the announcement latest by tomorrow.
“It will definitely come. We know His Excellency promised to announce in 14 days. Tomorrow is 21st and that is the fourteenth day after swearing in. So, even if it doesn’t happen today, we believe it will happen tomorrow” the regional secretary stated.
Mr. Puozuing made these known during an interaction with the media on the sideline of the MMDCE vetting at the Residency in Wa.
The vetting of MMDCE nominees started today, January 20, 2025, with the Sissala East and the Sissala West constituencies taking their turn. Nine aspirants came for Sissala East while 16 are vying for the post of Sissala West DCE.
In all, about 166 members of the NDC across the eleven districts in the region have filed nominations to serve as metropolitan, municipal and district chief executives in their respective assemblies.
The vetting will end on Thursday, January 24, 2025, with the Vetting Committee, led by the Upper West Regional chairman, expected to submit three names from each district to the Office of the President for consideration and appointment.
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