The National Democratic Congress (NDC) communication officer for Bongo District in the Upper East Region of Ghana, Mr Asekere Edward Abesiwine has described the demise of the former District Chief Executive (DCE), Hon. Akasake, as having shocked all residents in Bongo in the Bongo District,young and old alikeafter news broke on 22 February 2026.
Speaking to Word FM local news hour on (Bunkeka Yire Tuulum Yela), the NDC spokesperson for the Bongo constituency reflected on how he and the former DCE became friends “like family.” He narrated how their political journeys began from their time as assembly men through to constituency positions.
Asekere Edward Abesiwine explained that after the NDC won power and it was time for people to apply for the DCE positions, he and his friend, the late DCE (Hon. Joseph Abaa Akasake*), met at Comme Ci Comme sa Hotel in Bolgatanga Municipality to deliberate on how they could “marshall tactics” together so that both of them would not miss the District Chief Executive position.After several analyses, they reached a resolution that both of them would file for the DCE position so that if one person lost, the other would still get the opportunity.
He added that many people were surprised about why two close friends would be lobbying for the same position, but they understood what they were aiming for.“It was all sorrow and joy because we just buried the former DCE’s mother then few weeks during the mourning period his nomination came, ‘so the mother did not see him as District Chief Executive,fast forward from the mourning and other challenges, when the time for confirmation came, he said the late DCE received overwhelming support from assembly members.“I don’t know whether because God knew that his life span would be too short Former DCE was quick developmental oriented person,” he said.
He noted that within only a few months in office not up to one year the late DCE executed many educational, health, and other needed infrastructural projects in the Bongo District.
These include school block construction in Apuwongo CHIPS compound in Dua, and the renovations of the Assembly blocks A & B because of his continuous drive for development and respect for authorities, he convened a high-level meeting of stakeholders in academics, local government, trade, traditional authorities, and all well-meaning persons from Bongo to deliberate on how they can quickly turn the development of Bongo around.Most of the dignitaries in attendance appreciated the idea and described it as novel.
There were insightful discussions on how the development of Bongo could be systematically and strategically executed opening doors for exploration and more development opportunities.
According to him, the late DCE’s death shook them to the bone marrow.” He said he still remembers the moment they informed the Paramount Chief of Bongo about the interment.“You could feel his shock. Paramount chief said, ‘How did we just loss a productive son like that’?”
He continued that the matter is that they cannot question God. He stated that because Hon. Joseph Abaa Akasake was the first DCE to die in office, even before reaching one year in office, it has instilled fear in many constituents who want to take up leadership roles.
Almost everyday people calls me. They want to avail or contest for A or Z position but they are afraid because of the way Hon. Joseph Abaa Akasake just passed away. Indeed there’s phobia and speculations but you can’t establish whether his death is from man or God.
All we have to say is that, may God bless his soul.”The former DCE, Hon. Joseph Abaa Akasake, left behind a wife and five children. He was described as a good friend and brother.
Source:mywordfmonline.com/Akoose Daniel