.... The “Ata Miisim” Demonstration On March 13th 2012.

Let me put it on record. I am not part of the organizers of the “Ata Miisim” demonstration which is slated to take off in Tamale on the 13th of March. But as a parliamentary candidate who is aspiring to represent my people in parliament, I share in the concerns of the Young Patriots who are organizing this welcome demonstration.
I must disclose that, I shall take active part in the demonstration next week “Insha Allah”. Let me add that, I am going to encourage my constituents to come out massively on that day to support the Young Patriots.
For the people of Tamale, I must say such a demonstration is long over due for several reasons which I will unveil here for which reason I entreat all to come out and support irrespective of one’s political affiliation.
Firstly the promise to give the people of the North the Savanna Accelerated Development Authority (SADA) to help alleviate our poverty and accelerate the development of the North for the benefit of the people has failed as well.
The promised seed money to SADA has failed to arrive as well as the jobs that were to come with its introduction; which would have benefited the people of Tamale as well.
A promise to introduce one term premium for the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) which would have been of huge benefit to the people of the North including Tamale people has collapsed.
I have toured Tamale a lot especially Tamale North and I can say on any platform that, the level of deprivation in the last three years in the area is so deplorable; poor roads, massive unemployment, lack of good drinking water, collapsed in farming and businesses, absence of electricity and also lack of basic amenities such as public toilets in some communities among other basic problems.
With all these troubles confronting the people of Tamale and Tamale North, it is only usual for the people to come out and support the “Ata Miisim” demonstration next Tuesday.
It is justifiable to demonstrate especially so when millions of the tax payer’s money is being paid to fraudulent persons in the name of Judgement debts when the monies paid to such people could have been used to construct hospitals and train more doctors to man our hospitals to save lives.
In all jurisdictions the human rights of the people are seem to be natural. If we currently have five of our brothers in prison custody in Tamale for over two years without bail or proper trials, it is only natural for lovers of human rights to come out and hit the streets irrespective of which political party they belong to restored human rights and dignity.
The “Ata Miisim” demonstration is not an opportunity to cause chaos as is being speculated by detractors of the demonstration. It is an excellent opportunity to drum home to the government and the world that, while over 51GHC Million Ghana cedis was paid to one man under fraudulent and criminal fashion, some people at Yilo-naayili, Damankunyili, Gbanyamli, Gbalahi, Gariziegu, Ward K and Chogu among other communities in Tamale are wallowing in abject deprivation and suffering.

Let’s fight this together. Join the “Ata Miisim” demonstration next Tuesday the 13th of March 2012 for better Tamale and the North as a whole.

By Akilu Sayibu, Tamale-North

Email: Akilu.sayibu@live.uwe.ac.uk