Yazori Chief Threatens Election Boycott Amidst Development Crisis

The Chief of Yazori in the North Gonja District of the Savannah Region has threatened an election boycott. Yazori Ekumpo stated his community will not vote in future elections. This is due to years of neglect and a lack of basic services. The chief spoke in an interview with JoyNews on May 2, 2026. He emphasized Yazori's loyalty in past elections. Yet, the community still lacks roads, electricity, and healthcare. Reliable phone networks are also missing. "What else do we as people in this community need to do to get what is due to us as citizens of Ghana," the chief asked. He feels the government has left Yazori out.

This situation leads to frustration and disillusionment. Residents feel disconnected from national development. The chief recounted tragic incidents. These deaths highlight the severity of the problem. Pregnant women have died due to delays in medical care. A young man recently lost his pregnant wife. She died on the way to Murugu for delivery. The bad roads made the journey difficult. Ambulances cannot easily reach the community. This forces residents to use unsafe transport. Such deaths are avoidable, the chief stressed.

The Yazori situation mirrors broader challenges in Ghana's regional development. Many rural areas face similar infrastructure deficits. This impacts economic opportunities and quality of life. Promises made by politicians often go unfulfilled. For Yazori, this means continued struggles for basic needs. The lack of infrastructure also hinders job creation. Young graduates face rising unemployment. Limited connectivity restricts access to information and jobs. This unequal development contributes to national economic disparities.

Abdul Kadir Alhassan, the Assembly Member for Kpulumbo Electoral Area, supports the chief's views. He described the situation as dire and life-threatening. Poor roads, no electricity, and weak mobile signals are major barriers. Emergency response is severely compromised. Attracting teachers is also difficult. Many refuse postings due to isolation and hardship. Bakari Bonjua, a resident, echoed these frustrations. He noted broken promises from politicians. Dramani Sofia, another resident, shared a painful story. A pregnant woman died because she could not reach a health facility in time. Nurse Jacob Ansah highlighted the impact on healthcare. Service delivery suffers greatly from the lack of electricity. "We don’t work during the night irrespective of the cases before us because there are no lights," he stated. Weak solar systems are insufficient for essential medical supplies.

The District Chief Executive for North Gonja, Abdulai Nashiru, acknowledged awareness of the challenges. He disagreed with claims of neglect. He mentioned past electricity extensions towards the area. Road construction efforts had linked surrounding communities. However, some sections have deteriorated. The Highway Authority is assessing the damaged roads. Rehabilitation plans are underway. The MP's representative and local authorities are working with GIFEC. They aim to improve electricity and connectivity soon. These efforts come after years of consistent pleas from Yazori.