Salia is Upper West Minister

STORY: ANTHONY KWESI COOMSON, PARLIAMENT
58-year-old politician and former Chairman of the National Hajj Committee, Alhaji Issaku Salia, who was nominated by President John Evans Atta Mills to be the Upper West Regional Minister, has been approved by Parliament.
The position became vacant following the dismissal of Hon. Mahmoud Khalid, the immediate past Upper West Regional Minister, a few months ago by the President over alleged involvement in the award of contracts and influencing bidding and tender processes in the region.
Alhaji Salia, married with four children, is a product of the Navrongo Secondary School in the Upper East Region.
He holds a BA (Hons Philosophy and Political Science) from the University of Ghana, Legon, including a Post Graduate Diploma in Management and Public Administration, Greenhill.
He was the NDC MP for Wa East Constituency from 1993-2004 spanning twelve years mandate and chaired a number of committees including the Committee on Transport and Communications, Roads and Highways, Food and Agric and Cocoa Affairs.
He also served as a member on several committees such as the Local Government and Rural Development, Trade and Industry, Tourism and the Public Accounts Committee.
His political career in 2004 suffered a setback when a new candidate from the immediate past New Patriotic Party (NPP) government, Hon. Godfrey Bayon Tangu, who was the then Wa Municipal Chief Executive, caused a major political upset in the region and snatched the Wa seat for NPP in 2004.
His attempt to stage a comeback in 2008 was also cut short at the primaries as the current Wa East DCE, Hon. Ameen Salifu, edged past him in a contest.
At his vetting, he promised to exhibit the experience gathered over the years in his political career to foster unity amongst the traditional authorities.
He expressed optimism to work hard in order to win the hearts and trust of the people through consensus building.
Mr Issaku Salia said he would also seek advice through an open-door policy. This, he said, would enable him to deliver on the mandate given to him by the president.
Touching on employment, he disclosed that plans are far advanced to mobilize the youth and train them in animal rearing to boost agriculture and food production.