The Member of Parliament elect for Walewale Constituency in the Northern Region, Dr Sagre Bambangi has urged unity among all residents of the area, irrespective of political affiliation, saying it is time to put behind their partisan differences and pursue a vigorous development agenda.

“Even though I won the seat on the ticket of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), I am MP for all my constituents and will give equal attention to all regardless of party affiliation.”

Dr Sagre made these remarks when he interacted with newsmen in Accra at the weekend after having gone through the required registration process as one of the new members of the next Parliament.

He indicated that the development challenges in the West Mamprusi area were enormous and would require unity of purpose to deal with.

“Poverty and hunger do not discriminate; they afflict everyone without regard to political, gender or ethnic background”.

Dr Sagre who is a lecturer at the University for Development Studies (UDS) mentioned education, health and agriculture as key areas he will focus on during the next four years.

“The BECE results in the constituency have been poor over the years, which is not very surprising considering the fact that there are only two public Senior High Schools and not a single post-secondary educational institution in the whole constituency”, he noted, while reiterating his determination to reverse the trend.

The MP-elect expressed thanks and appreciation to his constituents for the confidence reposed in him and gave the assurance that he would not let them down.

He indicated, however, that his effectiveness as their representative in Parliament would depend on their continued support, and pledged to keep in constant touch with the people.

Dr Sagre acknowledged Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, running mate to Nana Akufo-Addo in the December 7 elections, for all the support accorded him during the campaign period.

He also paid tribute to his predecessors whose efforts kept the Danquah-Busia-Dombo tradition in the constituency alive and who laid "the foundations for us the younger and upcoming generation to inherit".

“The late Mohammed Abdul Saaka who contested the seat for Progress Party in 1969, late Alhaji Inusah Issaka for PFP in 1979, Ben Bukari Salifu in 1992, S.S. Nayina for the Great Alliance in 1996, Amadu Abdul-Karim in 2000 and Nabilla Sulemana in 2004/2008, all deserve special mention for their hardwork in providing the foundations upon which we have also come to build today”, he said.

He urged party members and supporters in the constituency to keep calm and to refrain from any acts that may disrupt the peaceful atmosphere that currently prevailed in the area.

The Walewale Constituency is one of five in the Mamprugu area of the Northern Region, the others being Nalerigu-Gambaga, Yunyoo, Bunkpurugu, and Yagaba-Kubori.

Dr Sagre won the constituency seat in the December 7 parliamentary election with 19,328 votes. His closest contestant, Azortibah King James of the NDC polled 15,192, followed by Abdallah Abubakari of PNC who got 10,171 votes.

Bagmarigu John Simon of PPP and Soalisu Shaibu of NDP polled 251 and 86 votes respectively.