This outcome is a significant shift in the region’s political structure, with the party consolidating its presence in key constituencies such as Bia East, Bia West, Juaboso, Akontombra, Bodi, Wiawso, Bibiani Anhwiaso Bekwai and Aowin.

The NDC’s success has been attributed to a combination of grassroots mobilization, strategic campaigning, and effective communication.

Regional party officials, particularly the Chairman, Michael Aidoo, and the Communication Officer, Sam Jerome, played critical roles in steering the party to victory.

Michael Aidoo, known as “Big Aidoo,” is reported to have been instrumental in organizing the party’s efforts across the region.

His engagement with local leaders and grassroots organizers helped strengthen the party’s appeal.

Meanwhile, Sam Jerome spearheaded the party’s communication strategy, ensuring that the NDC’s message resonated with voters while addressing misinformation during the campaign period.

The NDC’s focus on grassroots mobilization was central to its strategy. Local representatives and volunteers worked to address the concerns of constituents, particularly in rural areas where voter turnout was crucial.

This hands-on approach is said to have contributed significantly to the party’s overwhelming success.

The New Patriotic Party (NPP), which retained only one seat in the region, faces questions about its declining influence in what has traditionally been a competitive area.

Analysts suggest that the NDC’s ability to connect with voters on issues of development and governance played a key role in swaying the electorate.

As the NDC prepares to form the next government, the party’s leadership in the Western North Region is expected to play a significant role in shaping its development agenda.

Party supporters in the region have called for the recognition of regional executives who contributed to the victory.

The Western North results further solidify the NDC’s dominance in the 2024 elections, reflecting a broader trend of support for the party across multiple regions.

The development has sparked concerns among voters and party representatives, with National Democratic Congress (NDC) MP for Juaboso, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, vowing to resist any attempts to manipulate the election results.

Mintah Akandoh accused the Electoral Commission (EC) of presiding over what he described as the “poorest elections” in the constituency’s history.

He assured constituents that the NDC is closely monitoring the situation to prevent any foul play.

“We already have the results at the polling station level, documented on the pink sheets. They [EC] should not think they can take 10 ballot boxes, tamper with the contents, and expect us to watch silently. This will not happen under our watch,” he stated.

According to Akandoh, collation of results at the constituency level is on hold with stakeholders calling for an immediate investigation into the whereabouts of the missing ballot boxes.

Security personnel have been deployed to maintain order and protect the collation process from potential disruptions.

The program has brought renewed hope to the region, which has been grappling with challenges posed by the Cocoa Swollen Shoot Virus Disease (CSSVD) and other crop issues.

During a series of community engagements in Bibiani Anhwiaso Bekwai, Wiawso, Juaboso, Bia West, and Akontombra, traditional leaders and farmers expressed deep gratitude for COCOBOD’s intervention.

They highlighted how the initiative, which provides free seedlings, fertilizers, and technical support, has significantly improved the region’s cocoa farming prospects.

Nana Kwabena Ebi II, the chief of Sehwi Akontombra, acknowledged the transformative impact of the program. “This initiative has restored our hope. Many of us feared losing our farms forever to diseases, but today, we see a promising future for cocoa farming,” he said.

Farmers also shared their optimism about the progress made. Nana Yaw Berima, Kontihene of Sehwi Yawmatwa, noted that the assistance provided by COCOBOD has revived farms that were on the brink of collapse.

“Our farms are blooming again, and we are reaping the rewards of COCOBOD’s support. The technical guidance and materials have been a game changer,” he remarked.

The Western North Region, a key cocoa-producing area, has suffered significant losses due to CSSVD, which decimated farms and impacted cocoa yields.

However, the rehabilitation program has not only restored productivity but also boosted farmers’ confidence in adopting modern farming techniques and practices.

Joseph Boahen Aidoo expressed his satisfaction with the program’s success, reiterating COCOBOD’s commitment to strengthening the cocoa sector.

“Empowering farmers and ensuring they have the necessary resources is at the heart of our mission. Revitalizing cocoa farms in this region is part of a larger vision to secure Ghana’s cocoa industry against future challenges,” he stated.

The initiative’s success is expected to reinforce Ghana’s reputation as a leading producer of high-quality cocoa globally.

The three beneficial districts are Akontombra, Bodi, and Bia East.

Addressing the gathering during the inaugural ceremony at Sehwi Bodi, His Lordship Justice Kwame Amoako indicated that, the courthouse stands as a testament to the nation’s vision of legal administration that is not just distant and detached, but one that is firmly rooted in the communities it serves.

He added that, the residents will no longer travel a long distance to access justice, instead, justice will now be within reach, right at their doorsteps.

His Lordship implored the staff at the court to approach their duties with humility and an unwavering commitment to due process.

On his part, the District Chief Executive for Bia East, Nicholas Yayin Niber, urged the residents in the area to be mindful of activities that would promote litigation as the presence of the court is not a license for litigation.

He further assured the judicial service the commitment of the Assembly to support the service for effective delivery in the district.

Finally, the MP for Sehwi Akontombra, Alex Djornuboah Tetteh appealed to the casual and staff of the court to to maintain the facility to last longer for the district.

Despite gaining admission to secondary schools, over 137,000 students in the Western North Region are yet to report to school.

This alarming statistic was shared by the CHASS, who noted that the situation is cause for concern.

According to CHASS, one of the main reasons why many students are yet to report to school is due to financial difficulties faced by their parents, many of whom are cocoa farmers.

President of CHASS in the Western North Region, Nana Amo Amankwah expressed concern about the large number of students who are yet to report to school.

“As we speak, in a number of the schools, those who have reported are just a little above half of the number placed, and that is our concern.

“The Western Regional Director of Education gave an update that about 137,000 students have not taken up their admissions yet. According to them, they are facing financial challenges.”

Nana Amo Amankwah acknowledged that some students may face challenges in meeting the requirements listed in the prospectus.

However, he urged the students to report to school regardless of this challenge.

“A good number of the schools have mattresses, so we just want them to come. They should not think about the items on the prospectus as long as they can get a towel and sponge; they should come. They don’t have to get everything on the prospectus before they come.”

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In an interview on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen programme Tuesday, Mr Obeng indicated that, development in the area has been impressive and progressive.

The region is one of the six new regions created in 2019 due to the difficulty of the people of Sefwi getting essential government developmental projects or services from the former regional capital, Sekondi-Takoradi.

President Akufo-Addo in September 2021 said he is very interested in making sure that the newly created region is developed.

However, Sehwi Bodi Member of Parliament (MP) Sampson Ahi lamented in December 2022 that the Akufo-Addo administration has neglected the area.

He said the NPP government has paid lip service to the development of the area, adding their roads are in a bad state.

But according to the Regional Minister, he is on a mission to improve the quality of lives of residents in line with the vision of President Akufo-Addo, adding that, a lot has been achieved since he assumed office on March 16, 2023.

Mr Obeng touted he has been able to spearhead developmental projects in the areas of education, health, security, roads, among others.

He stated that about 450 kilometres of road construction were started, with some completed and several at various stages of completion.

“We have constructed the Enchi-Didieso road, and reconnected communities that were previously isolated. This has not only improved transportation but has also stimulated economic activities, driving growth and development since the creation of the new region,” he said.

In the area of health, Mr. Obeng stated significant investments have been made to improve access to and quality of medical care, noting the region will soon have a dialysis centre.

For education, the Minister highlighted his One Student, One Desktop initiative, which was rolled out in June 2021 to improve the quality of academic activities.

He further, among other things, shed light on the construction of a military barracks and police command to improve and heighten security in the region.

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The deceased, identified as Angelina Gemedi, was reportedly carried away by the rains at Bibiani in the Bibiani Anhwiaso Bekwai Municipality. 

The four-day continuous rainfall also flooded many communities in both Municipalities, and in the process affected 994 houses. 

The Western North Regional Director of the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO), Samuel Adu Agyei, disclosed this in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) and said communities such as Asemkrom, Ngekain, Jema, Boinso, Omanpe, Aboi-Nsuoakyi and Sewum in the Aowin Municipality were hit by the floods. 

He said Bibiani and Bekwai in the Bibiani Anhwiaso Bekwai Municipality also recorded similar floods. 

“Many buildings collapsed as a result of the heavy rains, personal belongings such as mattresses, beds, food items, television sets, fans, fridges among others were destroyed but there were no injuries or casualties,” he added. 

 According to him, the Aowin Municipal NADMO conducted a situational assessment in the affected areas which revealed that many of the buildings destroyed were made of bricks and mud. 

The assessment further indicated that the victims were traumatized as their buildings have been destroyed and they had to perch with relatives while others have temporarily been housed in churches and schools, Mr Adu Agyei noted.

He said: “The assessment team discovered that the most pressing items needed for the victims were; about 500 packets of roofing sheets, 3,400 bags of cement, 2000 bags of rice, 300 boxes cooking oil,1,800 pieces of student mattress, four bales of second-hand clothing and 1,050 pieces of blankets.” 

Mr Agyei said the Aowin Municipality NADMO, and the Regional office have meanwhile, presented relief items to the affected victims and appealed to individuals, institutions, and philanthropists to support them financially or with materials. 

He added that the Municipal Chief Executive of Bibiani Anhwiaso Bekwai, Mr Paul Andoh, together with the works department in collaboration the NADMO officials in Bibiani have desilted drainage systems, and streams at Bekwai, Asawinso “A “and Bibiani to enhance the free flow of water when it rains. 

He stressed that although the assembly had initiated several measures to ensure that lives are protected during the rainy season, those residing in flood prone areas should relocate to avoid similar disasters from reoccurring. 

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It was announced that the premium registration process includes the option for updates, such as changes to names and birth dates, for applicants who wish to make modifications to their existing cards.

Speaking to the Regional Director of NIA, Kwame Ogyadum Donkor, he explained that previously, applicants from the Western North Region had to travel to Kumasi and Takoradi and endure queues lasting up to three days to register for the premium Ghana card.

Recognizing the inconvenience this posed, applicants submitted numerous petitions to the NIA head office, resulting in the approval to begin premium services at the regional head office in Sefwi Wiawso, Western North regional capital.

He indicated that the premium registration service is available to individuals with a registration fee of GHS 280. Additionally, those requiring a replacement for a lost or missing card can obtain a new one for a fee of GHS 110.

Some of the applicants who spoke to the media after going through the process of requiring replacement and update of their Ghana cards expressed excitement as their burden had been shed off.

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The Minister has appointed Yawson Amoah, the District Chief Executive for Sehwi Akontombra as the new dean of the nine MDCEs in the region.

In a statement released by the Secretary to the Regional Minister, the Minister thanked the former dean who is the Municipal Chief Executive for Aowin, Samuel Adu Gyamfi for his period of service. Samuel Adu Gyamfi had been the dean of the MDCEs since the creation of the Western North in 2017 and he’s also the oldest among the MDCEs in the region. He has served for two terms as MCE for the Aowin municipality.

Mr Obeng congratulated the new dean, Mr Amoah, and wished him great success in his new office.

Mr Amoah is also serving his 2nd term as the District Chief Executive for the Alontombra. Worth noting that he was the first person to be appointed as District Chief Executive in President Akufo-Addo’s second term in office.

The president announced his appointment when he visited the Western North Region in September 2021.

Yawson Amoah is one of the most successful MDCEs in the region. Through his successful efforts, his Member of Parliament, Alex Tetteh was ranked the best MP in the Western North Region and 26th nationwide in the latest MPs ranking.

In the Western North Region, over 600 farmers both peasant and commercial were awarded. Some of the items presented were tricycles, motorbikes, knapsack spraying machines, poultry feeds, cutlasses, flat-screen TV, certificates and others.

However, the overall regional best farmer was awarded a brand new Kia Hunter pickup.

Receiving the overall best regional farmer award, Nana Yaw Berima Donkor, the Kontihene of Sehwi Yawmatwa in the Bia West District told his success story.

He also advised the youth to venture into farming and stop solely depending on the government for jobs.

Meanwhile, the Environmental and Community Resource Manager of the Asante/Chirano Corporation, Oppong Kyekyeku, presenting the car to Nana Berima Donkor said this is the company’s way to reward the hardworking farmers and also encouraged the youth to go into farming.

Local reports suggest that the suspects, numbering about four, attempted to bolt with large cash they had robbed from passengers in six commercial cars.

The robbers engaged the police in a shootout resulting in the instant death of the two.

Regional Commander, DCOP Otchere Boapea who confirmed the incident to Adom News said the police patrol teams moved to the scene upon a tipoff.

He said a shootout ensued, leading to the death of the two suspected robbers with the two others on the run sustaining severe injuries.

DCOP Otchere Boapea said his outfit retrieved 42 AK47 ammunition, 1 AK47 gun, three magazines and an undisclosed amount of money.

Meanwhile, the deceased have been deposited at Sefwi Wiawso Government Hospital morgue while the police is on a manhunt for the two suspects.