The Bissa Youth Association in the Bawku Municipal District of Ghana’s Upper East Region is threatening to boycott the 2024 elections, citing the government’s continued neglect in providing necessary developmental projects. Spokesperson for the association, Ali Ibrahim Issaka, made this announcement during the inaugural edition of the Bissa Sakuma (Bissa Coming Together) event in Accra on October 5, 2024.
Issaka emphasized that despite the Bissa community’s significant contribution to the country’s agricultural economy—especially in vegetable farming—the region remains underdeveloped. The youth are demanding the construction of key roads, including a route from Gentiga to Zopeliga, which would improve transportation for farm produce to the Kulungungu Market.
The group also demands the construction of a road and bridge linking Kulungungu to Bador, critical for local transport and commerce. Issaka warned that if these demands are not met, the Bissa people in settlements like Manga, Bugri, and Gareke would boycott both the 2024 and 2032 elections.
Issaka further cautioned Bissa youth against political exploitation, urging them to resist divisions that politicians have sown within their communities. He referenced past instances of political discrimination, including the treatment of figures like Hawa Yakubu and Karim Duburu, to illustrate the marginalization of Bissa people in local politics.
In addition to these demands, Issaka called on Bissa natives living outside the region to return and invest in their homeland, Bissaku. He encouraged the diaspora to use their resources to transform the region into an economic hub for the Bawku area.
The Sukuma event, which translates to “coming together” in the Bissa language, was organized to celebrate Bissa culture, unity, and peace ahead of the 2024 elections. The theme of the event, Preserving Our Culture and Building Unity to Promote Peace Towards Election 2024 – The Role of All Citizens, highlighted the importance of unity in driving both political and economic progress for the community.
The Bissa Youth Association’s ultimatum underscores the growing frustration within the community, as they demand their fair share of development and infrastructure in the region. The group hopes their call for action will not only lead to improved conditions but also inspire greater unity among the Bissa people.