By Ishmael Junourgh 
Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Sissala East Constituency, Namoroo Razak, says his tenure has been defined by grassroots mobilisation, party unity and personal commitment to the welfare of constituents.
Mr. Razak, who has served the party at various levels, from branch chairman to constituency organiser and eventually constituency chairman, says his greatest achievement has been helping the NDC reclaim the Sissala East parliamentary seat from the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
According to him, the victory demonstrated the strength of the party’s grassroots organisation and the determination of its executives and supporters to return the NDC to power in the constituency.
“When I became chairman, I was able to take the seat from them. At that time, we had 96 polling stations and we won in 93 polling stations,” he said.
He added that the party’s current priority is to consolidate the gains made and maintain the confidence of voters ahead of future elections.
Rebuilding a Divided Party
Mr. Razak said he assumed the constituency chairmanship at a time when the NDC was experiencing internal divisions, making party unity one of his immediate priorities.
“When I became the chairman, the constituency was split and there was a fight among us. So, when I became chairman, I made sure that I brought everybody together,” he explained.
He said the ability of the constituency’s leadership to work together has contributed significantly to the NDC’s electoral performance and created a more cohesive political structure.
He cited the relationship between the Member of Parliament, the Municipal Chief Executive and the constituency party leadership as an example of the unity achieved under his chairmanship.
According to him, the party previously had internal groupings, but the leadership eventually chose cooperation over factionalism in the interest of the constituency.
“I was happy that after we won the election, I walked to the MP and told him that because of our Party A and Party B, and you won as the MP, give the MCE to Party B for us to have unity,” he said.
He believes the resulting cooperation between the MP, MCE and constituency chairman is unprecedented in the recent political history of Sissala East.
‘I Don’t Put Pressure on Party Leaders’
Mr. Razak also presented himself as a party official who has deliberately avoided placing personal demands on the NDC leadership.
He said although he has not personally benefited from projects or other opportunities through the party, he has remained committed to its development.
“As chairman, as I am standing like this, I am still struggling. I have not taken a project from the party. I got nothing in the party, but still the hope is there,” he said.
For him, political leadership should be based on patience, sacrifice and commitment rather than personal gain.
He said he regularly counsels branch executives and party supporters to remain patient because the party is still consolidating its position in government.
“If you are working with the party, you shouldn’t be greedy or always try to put pressure on the leaders,” he said.
He believes such an approach has helped him maintain his relationship with party supporters at the grassroots.
A Chairman Who Says He Responds to Emergencies
Beyond party politics, Mr. Razak said his relationship with constituents has been strengthened by his willingness to assist them during emergencies.
He pointed particularly to his use of the party’s vehicle to transport sick people to health facilities and convey deceased persons to their communities.
According to him, he has personally driven the vehicle on numerous occasions, including at night, to respond to emergencies.
“When somebody dies, they call me in the midnight, around 12:00, and I make sure that I am there,” he said.
He claimed that since the party vehicle was entrusted to him, he had used it to transport more than 50 deceased persons.
For him, such acts of service, rather than financial inducements, explain the support he continues to receive from communities.
“It is not that I am giving them money. It is just because when they have a problem and approach me, even if it is my last penny, I have to use it to help them,” he said.
Farmer and Party Chairman
Mr. Razak also described himself as a farmer who understands the economic challenges facing residents of the constituency.
He disclosed that he cultivates more than 300 acres of maize but said a lack of access to machinery had affected his farming operations.
He said about 200 acres of his cultivated land had been lost after he was unable to secure the necessary machinery for the application of farm inputs.
The situation, he suggested, illustrates some of the broader agricultural challenges facing farmers in the constituency.
‘Big Push’ Roads Changing Sissala East
On infrastructure, the NDC chairman welcomed the government’s Big Push road projects, saying the improved road network has significantly reduced travel time between Sissala East and other parts of the Upper West and Upper East regions.
He said the journey from Tumu to Wa, which previously took about three hours, can now be completed in approximately one hour and 40 minutes.
He also cited improved travel between Tumu and Bolgatanga as another benefit of the road interventions.
“The Big Push has raised the name of the area and made everybody happy,” he said.
Mr. Razak commended contractors working on the roads but appealed for further improvements, particularly the completion of the Sebele-Wa stretch.
He said improved roads were critical to economic activity, mobility and development in the constituency.
‘I Will Pick the Form’
With the next internal party contest approaching, Mr. Razak has made his intention clear: he plans to seek another term as constituency chairman.
“I will pick a form, and by the grace of God, I am going to win,” he declared.
He believes his record of service, party mobilisation and efforts to promote unity gives him a strong case for another term.
He said his approach to leadership is rooted in service rather than personal enrichment and that constituents are capable of judging his record for themselves.
“My people know me. I don’t sleep,” he said.
Lessons from the Late Malik
Mr. Razak also reflected on the leadership qualities of the late Mr. Malik, whom he described as one of his political mentors.
He praised the late politician for his humility, willingness to listen and ability to correct party members privately while supporting them publicly.
According to him, the late Malik demonstrated that effective political leadership was not about seeking luxury or personal advantage but about supporting people and ensuring that they received what they deserved.
“He was a leader who did not want money or anything to hurt people. Whatever he had, he gave it out to people,” Mr. Razak said.
He said those values continue to influence his own approach to party leadership.
Loyalty, Sacrifice and Political Relationships
Mr. Razak further linked his political philosophy to his longstanding support for the leadership of Speaker of Parliament Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, saying he believes politicians must remember those who have supported them in difficult moments.
He recalled his decision to support Mr. Bagbin at a time when doing so attracted criticism from some political actors.
For Mr. Razak, political loyalty is not simply about holding positions but about recognising and reciprocating support.
“If someone does good for you and you turn your back on the person, karma will catch you,” he said.
He also stressed the importance of resolving disagreements within the party rather than taking internal disputes into the public domain.
“You don’t go out to wash dirty linen outside,” he said.
A Call for Unity
As he prepares to seek another term, Mr. Razak’s message to NDC supporters in Sissala East is centred on unity, patience and continued grassroots mobilisation.
He acknowledged that the constituency continues to face significant challenges but said the party must remain focused on strengthening its structures and delivering for the people.
He expressed confidence that the NDC has a strong future in Sissala East if its leaders and supporters continue to work together. For Chairman Namoroo Razak, the next political contest is therefore not merely about retaining a position. It is, he argues, about preserving the unity and grassroots structures that he believes helped return the NDC to power in Sissala East — and positioning the constituency for greater political and developmental gains.
TAHIRU IDDISAH OMEGA