Dr Justine Dakurah, a medical surgeon, has announced his candidacy for the New Patriotic Party’s parliamentary nomination in the Nadowli-Kaleo Constituency. According to MyJoyOnline, he made the declaration on Friday, 13 November, at the party’s local office. The surgeon addressed attendees including party executives and community members, marking his formal entry into the electoral contest for the Upper West Region seat.
Dr Dakurah stated that his political ambition stems from a need to resolve persistent developmental deficits in the area. He identified healthcare, sanitation, education, and infrastructure as critical sectors requiring intervention. He pledged to create a scholarship program for students lacking financial resources while also focusing on women’s empowerment and road construction. He emphasized a commitment to grassroots improvement and better constituent representation.
The candidate criticized the track record of the current ruling party, the National Democratic Congress, which has held the seat since 1993. He argued that successive administrations under the NDC have failed to deliver adequate development. The constituency is currently represented by Anthony Mwinkaara Sumah, who is serving his second term as the member of parliament. Dr Dakurah’s campaign positions itself as an alternative to the long-standing NDC presence in the region.
His professional background includes training at the University for Development Studies Medical School in Tamale. He served as a medical officer at Lawra Government Hospital from 2014 to 2018. He later completed specialist surgical training at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital between 2019 and 2022. After a stint back at Lawra, he moved to Tamale Teaching Hospital in 2024 for fellowship training, while continuing to provide surgical care at Nadowli Government Hospital.
The New Patriotic Party opened nominations for its parliamentary primaries earlier this month. Dr Dakurah faces competition from three other aspirants seeking the party’s ticket. MyJoyOnline identified the other candidates as Dr Elvis Botah, Dr Agape Kanyiri, and former parliamentary hopeful Francis Xavier Kambotuu. Dr Dakurah urged party members to maintain unity and focus on policy issues rather than personal attacks during the selection process.