Surgeon Dr Dakurah enters NPP parliamentary race in Nadowli-Kaleo

A surgeon, Dr Justine Dakurah, has declared his intention to contest the New Patriotic Party's (NPP) parliamentary primary in the Nadowli-Kaleo Constituency of the Upper West Region.

He made the announcement on Friday, 13 November, at the party's constituency office in Nadowli, where he addressed friends, party members, and some constituency executives.

Dr Dakurah says his decision to enter politics is driven by a desire to address what he considers key development challenges in the constituency, including healthcare, education, sanitation, employment, and infrastructure.

"My decision to enter politics is driven by a deep-seated commitment to service: Improving healthcare delivery, advancing grassroots development and giving the constituents a stronger voice and opportunities," he said.

He also criticised the development record of successive governments in the constituency, arguing that it had little to show despite being represented by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) since 1993.

The constituency is currently represented by NDC MP Anthony Mwinkaara Sumah, who is serving his second term.

Dr Dakurah has proposed establishing a scholarship fund for academically gifted but financially disadvantaged students, alongside initiatives to empower women and improve roads and healthcare delivery.

He also called for unity within the NPP and urged prospective parliamentary candidates to run issue-based campaigns without resorting to personal attacks once they are cleared by the party to contest.

Dr Dakurah trained at the University for Development Studies (UDS) Medical School in Tamale.

He began his medical career as a medical officer at the Lawra Government Hospital, where he worked from 2014 to 2018.

He subsequently moved to the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, where he undertook specialist training in surgery between 2019 and 2022.

He returned to the Lawra Government Hospital in 2022 and worked there until 2024 before moving to the Tamale Teaching Hospital, where he is currently undertaking a fellowship training.

He has also continued to provide surgical services at the Nadowli Government Hospital.

His declaration comes after the party announced the opening nominations early this month for its parliamentary primaries ahead of the next general election.

Three other people are reportedly seeking the party's nomination in the constituency: Dr Elvis Botah, Dr Agape Kanyiri, and former parliamentary candidate Francis Xavier Kambotuu.