Rise Above Partisan Divisions And Focus On Constructive Development – Dr . Esmond Agurgo Balfour
By Gayheart Anahor
The Upper East Regional Chairman for the Bolgatanga/Nabdam/Bongo/Tongo (BONABOTO) Group, Dr. Esmond Agurgo Balfour, has called for the need for a transformative shift in the public mindset regarding politics. Dr. Agurgo Balfour addressed the issue during a recent engagement with the media, where he and other guests explored the profound impact of inadequate infrastructure on education in the Bolgatanga Municipality.
The conversation was prompted by a detailed news feature by Moses Abaa Apiah, a reporter from A1 Radio, shedding light on the challenges faced by the local education system due to poor infrastructure. Dr. Balfour’s remarks during the discussion went beyond the immediate concerns of education, touching upon the broader implications of a highly politicized society.
Dr. Balfour called for a change in mindset, emphasizing on the dangers of excessive politicization, noting that it can cloud individuals’ judgment, diverting attention from the genuine issues at hand.
“We must have a change in mindset as a people and a region. When you become too politicized, you fail to see the reality of the sense being delivered and get worried about the criticizing against my party and about that party.”
Dr. Agurugo Balfour urged citizens to rise above partisan divisions and focus on the actual challenges facing communities.
“If we don’t change our mindset to appreciate reality and work together to fix it, in fact, if we have to deal with our politicians, let’s deal with them,” he reiterated. “They are supposed to lead us to make progress. They shouldn’t be our bane of problems. Let’s hold them accountable be it in favor or not .”
The Regional Chairman’s perspective encourages a re-think of the role of politics in society, pointing up the need for constructive engagement rather than divisive partisanship.
A Retired educationist, Robert Ajene also appealed to the people of the Upper East Region to prioritize conversations that enhance the educational issues and allow institutional governance structures to function effectively.
Mr. Ajene expressed concern over the prevalence of political discourse that, in his view, retards the development of the educational sector in the region. He reiterated the need for a collective effort to address the challenges faced by schools and educational institutions.
“Let’s frown down on politics relating to the development of schools or in education. It’s a hardcore decision that will help us develop. Otherwise, we will take two steps ahead and one step behind and we remain where we are,” Mr. Ajene said during the conversation.
The retired educationist directed a specific call to Parliamentarians in the BONABOTO enclave, urging them to take a proactive stance in supporting the education sector. He voiced his displeasure with the current level of commitment from elected officials in the region.
“Our parliamentarians in the north, and I will beat it down to the parliamentarians in the BONABOTO area. They are not doing enough for the development of education in their areas. They can challenge me to that. And I think we are getting frustrated, not very satisfied”.
Mr. Ajene’s comments highlight a growing frustration within the community regarding the perceived neglect of educational development by political representatives. The call to action is a plea for a more concerted effort to overcome the challenges faced by schools, particularly in the Bolgatanga Municipality
