News
Yapei United FC expresses disappointment over GFA’s sudden reassignment from Zone 1A to Zone 1B
Details
Published:August 18, 2026
Published at: 07:23Am
By Saibu Terry
Yapei United Football Club has opened discussions with the Ghana Football Association (GFA) over the Association’s decision to move the club from Zone 1A to Zone 1B ahead of the 2026/27 football season
In a statement issued on August 17, 2026, management expressed disappointment over what it described as a sudden and unilateral decision, coming just a day before the release of fixtures for the new season.
Management said the club’s original placement in Zone 1A was announced weeks earlier, and the late change has created uncertainty for the club, its players, technical team, sponsors and supporters.
According to Yapei United, the initial division of Zone 1 was primarily influenced by security considerations rather than geographical location. The club therefore questioned the rationale for using geographical considerations to justify the latest adjustment.
The club also raised concerns about the financial implications of the decision, particularly because its sponsorship arrangements were secured based on its expected participation and visibility in Zone 1A.
Yapei United further clarified that the Northern Regional Football Association (NRFA) played no role in the decision and should not be blamed for the reassignment.
Management described the NRFA as a supportive partner and maintained that league zoning remains the sole responsibility of the GFA.
Despite its concerns, the club said it is engaging the GFA to find an amicable solution and is exploring alternative arrangements to minimise the potential impact of the decision on its operations and sponsorship commitments.
Yapei United has also appealed to the GFA to consider merging Zone 1A and Zone 1B, arguing that the frequent relegation of clubs promoted from the two zones in the same season raises questions about the effectiveness of the current structure and its developmental objectives.
The club has urged its supporters to remain calm and patient while discussions with the GFA continue.
Management assured supporters that further updates would be communicated once meaningful progress is made in the ongoing engagement with the football authorities.
News
Chairman Samba wins Chairmanship race to lead NPP in the Northern Region again
by Inusah Dondaliya
16th August 2026
Mohammed Bantima Samba has been retained as Northern Regional Chairman of the NPP following a landslide victory in the Chairmanship Contest of the Regional Delegates Conference, shrugging off competition from 3 other contenders.
Chairman Samba polled 215 votes to emerge the winner, while Alhaj Inusah ‘Dagomba Boy’ trailed him with 122 votes. Alhaj Fuseini Musah gained 44 votes to place third in the contest. In comparison, Salifu Abdul Rahaman Mumin COP(Jack Sparrow) got a paltry 5 votes, signalling a total rejection of his candidacy by the delegates of the NPP.
In the Secretary position, a Lecturer and Patron of the NPP at the Tamale Campus of UDS, Dr. Abdul Karim Abdul Rahaman Kpalaa received an overwhelming endorsement with 315 votes, against 63 votes garnered by his opponent, Dr. Fuseini Zakaria Kpana.
The Regional Youth Organizer position, which was fiercely contested among five contestants, pulled a surprise after Ibrahim Abdul Aziz(Azey) won the contest at the expense of 2 popular faces within the party, including Veteran Media Personality, Mohammed Abukari Naporoo(DJ Parara), and a known Party Activist, Ilee Waale, who hitherto of the delegates conference were front-runners given commentaries on social media platforms.
Notable Incumbent Regional Executives such as Alhaj Iddrisu ‘Sunday’ and Yussif Toyibu ‘Agenda’ lost out on the First Vice Chairman and Treasurer positions, respectively, to Ayamba Yelmangli and Baba Gushegu. While Toyibu ‘Agenda’ lost by a single vote, ‘Alhaj Sunday’ lost his position by 53 votes.
Hajia Sureiya Abdul Manan also won the bid to become the Northern Regional Women Organizer Position after polling 153 votes to beat off competition from 4 others.
From the contest, three candidates stood unopposed. They include Northern Regional Organizer, Alhaj Rashid Salifu COP, 2nd Vice Chairman, Alhaj Mohammed Abdul Rahaman, and Communications Director, Yussif Danjummah.
Below are the results
Chairman
Samba 215
Fuseini Musah 44
Dagomba boy 122
Jack 5
1st Vice Chairman
Iddrisu Sunday – 117
Ayamba Yelimagli – 270
Secretary
Dr. Fuseini Bawah Zakaria – 63
Dr. Abdul Rahman Karim Kpala – 324
DEPUTY SECRETARY
Ahmed King Faisal -151
Kaleem M. Ibrahim – 60
Bediako Jeremiah – 176
Nasara Organizer
Mohammed Ibrahim – 128
Saakibu H. Mohammed – 39
Yussif Mozel Alhassan Salman -26
Dipantiche M. Lukman -42
Afisheto Muazu -104
Thabit Ibn Issah -48
WOMEN ORGANIZER
Suraiya Manan – 153
Alice Dawuni – 31
Rashida Abdulai – 105
Zenabu Sulemana – 30
Salamatu Abdul Rauf – 8
Treasurer
Mohammed Yussif Toyibu – 174
Damba Abdul Rauf – 37
Husseini Abubakari Saddiq- 175
Youth Organiser
Illiasu Ibrahim – 26
Mohammed Naporo Abubakari – 137
Mohammed Nazeru Alhassan – 22
Abdul Mutalib Kwayaja Yaatun – 32
Ibrahim Abdul Aziz – 170
News
NPP Northern Region urged to prioritize unity, competence ahead of 2028
Details
Published:August 16, 2026
Published at: 05: 46Am
By Saibu Terry
The Special Aide to former Minister for Finance and Member of Parliament for Karaga, Mohammed Amin Adam, Alhaji Abdul Alhaliim Tikuma, has called on the newly elected Northern Regional Executives of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to prioritize unity, competence and teamwork as they begin their mandate.
In a statement shared on his Facebook page, Alhaji Tikuma congratulated the newly elected executives and described their election as a victory for the entire NPP family across the region’s 18 constituencies.
He also urged unsuccessful aspirants to continue supporting the party by making their expertise, ideas, networks and experience available to the new leadership.
According to him, the new executives must work to serve the interests of the party rather than operate along factional or personal lines.
He referenced Article 7(1) of the NPP Constitution, which requires members to defend and promote the ideals of the party and work towards its unity.
Alhaji Tikuma cautioned against a situation where the Regional Secretariat becomes divided into rival camps, stressing the need for a structured, team-based approach in which every executive understands their responsibilities and works to strengthen the party at the grassroots.
He further urged the new leadership to tap into the experience of former Regional Executives, Members of Parliament, the Council of Elders and Council of Patrons, as well as professionals from academia, business and civil society.
Competence must guide appointments
A major part of the statement focused on the appointment of deputy regional officers and other officials.
Alhaji Tikuma called on the Regional Executive Committee to prioritize competence, character and commitment over friendship and personal relationships when making appointments.
He particularly advocated for a qualified Regional Research Officer capable of analysing voter trends, interpreting data and developing constituency-specific strategies for all 18 constituencies.
He suggested that the party could consider qualified academics from institutions such as Tamale Technical University and the University for Development Studies for such technical roles.
He also urged the leadership to appoint competent individuals as Deputy Regional Organiser, Deputy Youth Organiser, Deputy Women Organiser and Deputy Nasara Coordinator, arguing that such positions must be occupied by people who can mobilise, organise and deliver tangible results.
PWD Coordinator requires careful consideration
On the appointment of a Persons with Disabilities (PWD) Coordinator, Alhaji Tikuma said the position requires particular attention because of the strategic importance of the PWD community.
He said the person appointed must possess character, empathy, advocacy skills and a strong grassroots presence.
According to him, the position should not be treated as a symbolic appointment but as a strategic role capable of building goodwill, mobilising support and promoting the dignity and interests of persons with disabilities.
Calls for broad consultation
Alhaji Tikuma appealed to NPP Members of Parliament, the Council of Elders, Council of Patrons and former Regional Executives to take a keen interest in the appointment process and provide guidance to the new leadership.
He also urged the Regional Executives to consult widely before taking major decisions, stressing that the Northern Region has diverse communities with different political and social dynamics.
He noted that strategies that work in Tamale Metropolis may not necessarily produce the same results in areas such as Karaga, Yendi or Bunkpurugu.
Alhaji Tikuma, who said he had previously served as a TESCON executive, member of the Regional Communications Team and Secretary to the Regional Youth Committee, among other roles, warned that allowing personal interests to override the collective interest could undermine the party.
He said the NPP in the Northern Region is at a defining moment and must choose between unity, competence and strategic organisation or a return to the mistakes of the past.
“The grassroots are watching. The people are waiting. And 2028 begins now,” he said.
He concluded by praying for wisdom for the new regional leadership and called for a stronger and more united NPP in the Northern Region.
News
Traders at the Tamale Central Market Protest TaMA’s Demolition Exercise
Traders at the Tamale Central Market are aggrieved over the ongoing demolition exercise undertaken by the Tamale Metropolitan Assembly’s Taskforce, accusing the Assembly of a lack of compassion and sympathy in enforcing the exercise.
Speaking to the Media, the traders described the demolition activity as a selective exercise, accusing the Taskforce of deliberately targeting some shop owners while leaving others whose stores encroached on the designated routes within the market following the creation of store extensions, which is deemed illegal.
The traders have therefore threatened to vote against the NDC government in the 2028 elections if the exercise is not reversed, as it will negatively affect their businesses and livelihoods. They also accused the Mayor of Tamale of being a mastermind behind the exercise after assurances that their businesses would not be affected following a series of engagements.
In an interview with the P.R.O of the Tamale Metropolitan Assembly, Amadu Mustapha Zakali, he stated that the exercise is aimed at creating access routes within the market to enable vehicular moment from Ghana Fire Service in times of emergency, adding that it is primarily carried out for their own interest and safety.
Mr. Mustapha Zakali also dispels allegations that the Assembly is targeting some shop owners, stressing that the Taskforce is only doing its job by destroying only marked extension stores.