Former Oti Regional Minister Daniel Machator declares bid to contest Nkwanta South NPP parliamentary ticket

Former Oti Regional Minister, Daniel Machator, has declared his intention to contest the New Patriotic Party (NPP) parliamentary primary for the Nkwanta South Constituency, seeking to represent the party in the next general election.

In a statement announcing his decision, Mr Machator appealed to polling station and electoral area executives, constituency executives, the Council of Elders, patrons and other party members to support his ambition.

He described his political aspiration as a new chapter in a journey that began in Nkwanta, where he says his personal and professional experiences have shaped his commitment to the area.

"Your son and brother, Daniel Machator, has been on a journey. A journey that has seen a son of the land travel from the shade of a shea tree in Bonakye, through the studios of Radio Gaakii, surviving the rigours of security communication management, serving as the mouthpiece of a public university and rising, as a pioneer son of the soil, to the office of Regional Minister for Oti Region," he said.

Mr Machator said his decision to contest was motivated by a desire to contribute to restoring peace, dignity and hope to Nkwanta South and improving the fortunes of the constituency.

He believes his familiarity with the area and its people, together with his experience in public administration, places him in a position to offer effective representation.

"Nkwanta birthed him, Nkwanta raised him, Nkwanta knows him! Daniel Machator is a true ambassador for Nkwanta's diverse people; humble, hardworking and ready-to-listen," he stated.

He said he was responding to a call to help address the challenges confronting the constituency and restore its position in the region.

"He responds to a call to restore dignity, hope and peace to the land that birthed him, and bring Nkwanta back to its rightful place," he added.

Mr Machator is seeking the support of the party's grassroots and leadership to secure the NPP parliamentary ticket, describing their endorsement as an important step towards his ambition of representing Nkwanta South in Parliament.

Experience in public service and communications

Mr Machator served as Oti Regional Minister from 2024 to 2025, representing the President in the region and coordinating the implementation of government policies, programmes and projects.

In that role, he chaired the Regional Security Council (REGSEC), with responsibility for matters relating to peace, stability and public safety, while also coordinating the work of regional departments and Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies.

Before he was appointed Regional Minister, he was Head of the Public Affairs Unit at the Ghana Institute of Journalism, now the University of Media, Arts and Communication (UniMAC), from 2020 to 2024.

He previously served as Deputy Director of Public Affairs at the Ghana Prisons Service between 2018 and 2020, having earlier worked as the Service's Central Regional Public Relations Officer from 2012 to 2018.

His professional career also includes a stint as Station Manager of Radio Gaakii in Saboba between 2011 and 2012.

Mr Machator holds a Master's degree in Communication Studies and has professional experience spanning strategic communication, public relations, local governance, institutional administration and public-sector management.