The Paramount Chief of the Sirigu Traditional Area in the Kassena Nankana West District of the Upper East Region of Ghana, Naba Atogumdeya Roland Akwara III, known as the Azukodaana, has appealed to the government to grant his people from Sirigu, Mirigu, Kandiga, Manyoro, Natugnia, and Yua their freedom.
He stated, “It is time for you to give us freedom.”Speaking at the 2025 Azuko Festival, which also celebrated the 10th anniversary of the Azukodaana’s leadership, he emphasized their ongoing struggle for a common ground to develop their part of the district.
He pointed out that his people have been loyal supporters of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) since 1992 and urged the party to recognize this loyalty. “Otherwise, we will no longer be the old voters that the NDC used to know; we will now vote based on whoever is faithful to us. If you are married and your wife is not faithful to you, then the next decision is to divorce. Don’t take our faithfulness for granted,” Azukodaana asserted.
He further called on the government to split the Chiana Paga constituency, arguing that this division would enable the eastern part of the district to develop its communities effectively.
He highlighted the issue of communities being split, with half in the Kassena Nankana Municipality and the other half in the Kassena Nankana West District, which complicates access to development. For example, Kandiga and Mirigu are divided in such a way that residents must cross two districts to reach their own.“It’s time for the eastern part of the district Sirigu, Mirigu, Kandiga, Mayoro, Natugnia, and Yua—to be given our freedom,” he reiterated.
At the Azuko Festival, with the theme “A Decade of Leadership, Unity, and Development,” the Member of Parliament for Bawku Central and Majority Leader of the Ghana Parliament, Mr. Mahama Ayariga, acknowledged that the issue of splitting the Chiana Paga constituency has been a long-standing concern. He revealed that the call for the constituency’s division has been discussed for the past 12 years, especially during election cycles.“Each time we approach elections, the disputes about this constituency arise.
Promises are made to create a new constituency, yet these commitments are often not fulfilled,” he noted. Ayariga expressed empathy and support for the Azukodaana and the community’s struggle, stating, “I cannot make a definite promise, but I want to assure you that I sympathize with you, agree with you, and will join you to fight for that cause.”
Source:mywordfmonline.com/Gaspard Adongo Ayuureneeya.