Growing discontent is brewing in the Tamale South constituency as a youth-led campaign takes shape, accusing Education Minister and long-serving Member of Parliament, Haruna Iddrisu, of failing to deliver meaningful development to his constituents despite nearly two decades in Parliament.
The campaign, which began with social media posts by activist Iddrisu Mohammed Rafik, has snowballed into a larger movement, drawing the attention of young people, community leaders, and even the media. Using Facebook, WhatsApp, and other platforms, Rafik and his supporters have mobilised voices across Tamale South to demand that their MP focus on concrete, long-term development projects rather than short-term interventions and monetary donations.
Videos circulating online capture groups of frustrated youth openly challenging the minister’s record, pointing to dilapidated roads, persistent water shortages, and inadequate educational facilities. In one widely shared video, members of a group calling themselves the “Concerned Youth of Tamale South” are seen urging Haruna Iddrisu to abandon the practice of handing out cash and instead commit resources to fixing their broken infrastructure. Their call has since been amplified by others who argue that after more than 20 years of representation, the constituency deserves visible transformation.
For many of these young constituents, the issue is not about partisanship but about accountability. They believe that Haruna Iddrisu, who once served as Minority Leader before his appointment as Minister of Education, has the political clout to lobby for resources but has not done enough to bring about tangible improvements in Tamale South. The campaign has thus evolved into a broader demand for a development roadmap — one that clearly outlines projects, timelines, and mechanisms for community engagement.
Critics of the MP argue that while he has occasionally provided scholarships and other educational support to young people in the constituency, these gestures have not addressed systemic challenges. Roads in several communities remain in deplorable condition, access to potable water is still a daily struggle for many households, and drainage systems are either non-existent or inadequate. Opinion pieces in the media have even gone as far as describing his tenure as “abysmal,” questioning whether his political longevity has served the constituency well.
So far, Haruna Iddrisu has not issued a formal response to the campaign. While he has in the past pledged to follow up on development concerns, campaign organisers insist that his constituents deserve more than verbal assurances. They are calling for regular town-hall meetings where residents can hold their MP accountable and track progress on specific projects.
The growing movement reflects a wider trend in Ghana’s political landscape, where social media has become a powerful tool for citizen activism. Unlike in the past, when such grievances might have remained confined to local discussions, platforms like Facebook and Instagram are now amplifying grassroots voices, drawing national attention to constituency-level issues. For the youth of Tamale South, this campaign is not just about pressing their MP for answers — it is also about redefining the relationship between elected leaders and the people they serve.
As pressure mounts, the spotlight is now firmly on Haruna Iddrisu. Whether he chooses to engage directly with the campaigners or remain silent could shape both his political legacy and the future of Tamale South. What remains clear is that the young people of the constituency are determined to keep the conversation alive until they see the changes they have long been promised.
