Fourth Republic Northern Ghana Politicians – Rawlings’ Era (1993–2001)

Fourth Republic Northern Ghana politicians entered a new era of democratic governance on 7 January 1993, when Jerry John Rawlings was sworn in as President of the Fourth Republic. After eleven years of revolutionary military rule under the PNDC, Ghana returned to constitutional democracy. Northerners who had served in the PNDC now stood for election as MPs and ministers. A new generation of northern political leaders emerged, including future president John Dramani Mahama, long‑serving Speaker Alban Bagbin, and veteran defense minister Alhaji Mahama Iddrisu. Their work laid the foundation for the democratic stability Ghana enjoys today.

This is Part Nine of The Savanna Online’s exclusive series on the political architects of Northern Ghana. In Part One, we introduced the founders of the Northern People’s Party (1954). Then in Part Two, we covered the First Republic (1960–1966). Part Three examined the National Liberation Council (1966–1969). Then Part Four looked at the Second Republic (1969–1972). In Part Five, we analyzed the NRC and SMC years (1972–1979). Part Six focused on the AFRC interlude (1979). And Part Seven examined Ghana’s Third Republic (1979–1981) under Hilla Limann. Part Eight covered PNDC Northern Ghana (1981–1993).

Now, Part Nine turns to the Fourth Republic – Ghana’s longest‑lasting democratic constitution, now in its fourth decade.

The Transition to Democratic Rule

The PNDC had promised a return to civilian rule since the late 1980s. A new constitution was approved by referendum on 28 April 1992. Political parties were legalized in May 1992. Presidential elections were held on 3 November 1992, and parliamentary elections on 29 December 1992.

Rawlings, running as the candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) – the political party that succeeded the PNDC – won the presidency with 58.4% of the vote. The NDC secured 189 of the 200 parliamentary seats, while the main opposition parties boycotted the election, alleging fraud.

On 7 January 1993, Rawlings was inaugurated as the first President of the Fourth Republic. The NDC government would rule for two terms (1993–2001). For Fourth Republic Northern Ghana politicians, this was an opportunity to serve in a constitutional democracy after years of military rule.

Northern MPs in the First Parliament of the Fourth Republic (1993–1997)

The 1992 parliamentary election returned a strong northern contingent, almost all of whom were NDC members. Below are the accurate lists of MPs from the Northern, Upper East, and Upper West regions, as documented in the official parliamentary record.

Fourth Republic Northern Ghana politicians – Northern Region MPs (23 Seats)

Northern Region MPs (First Parliament, 1993–1997)

Constituency	Elected MP	Party	Notes
Bimbilla	Mohamed Ibn Chambas	NDC	First Deputy Speaker (1993-1994); later ECOWAS President
Bole	Mahama Jeduah	NDC
Bunkpurugu/Yunyoo	Joseph Yaani Labik	NDC
Chereponi	Innocent Mahamadu Yahaya	NDC
Chogu/Tishigu	Ahaji Mohammed Haroon	NDC
Damongo/Daboya	Edward Aliedong Alhassan	NDC
Gukpegu/Sabongida	Alhaji Basit Abdulai Fuseini	NDC
Gushiegu/Karaga	Issahaku Mahama	NDC
Kpandai	Likpalimor Kwajo Tawiah	NDC
Kumbungu	Alhassan Musah	NDC
Mion	Alhassan Ahmed Adams	NDC
Nalerigu	Isaac Kolibilla Batesimah	NDC
Nanton	Alhaji Alhassan Yakubu	NDC
Saboba	Bukari Moses Mabengba	NDC
Salaga	Hamid Baba Braimah	NDC
Savelugu	Abubakar Alhassan MacNamara	NDC
Sawla/Kalba	Bayel Joseph Trumah	NDC
Tolon	Alhaji Abdullah Salifu	NDC
Walewale	Ben Baluri Saibu	NDC
Wulensi	Amidu Seidu	NDC
Yapei/Kusawgu	Alhaji Amadu Seidu	NDC
Yendi	Yusuf Iddrisu	NDC
Zabzugu/Tatale	Jagri John Kokpah	NDC

Fourth Republic Northern Ghana politicians – Upper East Region MPs (12 Seats)

Upper East Region MPs (First Parliament, 1993–1997)

Constituency	Elected MP	Party	Notes
Bawku Central	Hawa Yakubu	Independent	Served as MP 1993-2005
Bawku West	Cletus Apul Avoka	NDC	Later Minister for Interior; longest-serving MP
Binduri	Fortunate Atubiga	NDC
Bolgatanga	Akake Patrick	NDC
Bongo	Gaaga Akayeri Azitariga	NDC
Builsa North	Sylvester Azantilow	NDC
Builsa South	Norbert Garko Awulley	NDC	Served 1993-2005
Chiana/Paga	Dr. Stephen Ayidaya	NDC
Garu/Tempane	Dominic Azimbe Azumah	NDC
Nabdam	Paul Kpal Danzi	NDC
Navrongo Central	Godfrey Abulu	NDC	Served 1993-1995; died in office
Talensi	John Akologu Tia	NDC

Fourth Republic Northern Ghana politicians – Upper West Region MPs (8 Seats)

Upper West Region MPs (First Parliament, 1993–1997)

Constituency	Elected MP	Party	Notes
Jirapa	Francis Gyafiiry Korbieh	NDC
Lambussie	Jacob Bawiine Boon	NDC
Lawra/Nandom	Ken Meyir Kunfah	NDC
Nadowli North	Alban Sumana Bagbin	NDC	Later Speaker of Parliament
Nadowli South	Emmanuel Zumakpeh	NDC
Sissala	Alhaji Amidu Sulemana	NDC
Wa Central	Mumuni Abudu Seidu	NDC
Wa East	Issaku Saliah	NDC

Notable among these MPs was Mohamed Ibn Chambas (Bimbilla), who later became President of the ECOWAS Commission. Cletus Avoka (Bawku West) began a parliamentary career that would make him one of Ghana’s longest‑serving MPs. Alban Bagbin (Nadowli North) began his rise to become Speaker of Parliament. Hawa Yakubu (Bawku Central) was the only independent MP from the north.

Northerners in Rawlings’ First Cabinet (1993–1997)

Rawlings appointed several northerners to senior ministerial positions.

Northerners in Rawlings’ First Cabinet (1993–1997)

Name	Portfolio	Period	Notes
Alhaji Mahama Iddrisu	Minister for Defence	1993–1999	Continued from PNDC role
Alhaji Seidu Iddi	Northern Regional Minister	1993–1997	First Northern Regional Minister under Fourth Republic
Alban Bagbin	Deputy Minister for Health	1993–1997	Later Majority Leader and Speaker
Cletus Avoka	Deputy Minister for Local Government	1993–1997	Later Interior Minister; longest-serving MP

John Dramani Mahama, then MP for Bole/Bamboi, was first appointed Deputy Minister for Communications in 1997, beginning his executive career that would lead to the presidency.

The Second Term (1997–2001): Expanded Northern Roles

After Rawlings’ re‑election in 1996, more northerners entered government.

Northerners in Rawlings’ Second Cabinet (1997–2001)

Name	Portfolio	Period	Notes
Alhaji Mahama Iddrisu	Minister for Defence	1997–1999	Continued from first term
John Dramani Mahama	Deputy Minister for Communications (1997–1998); Minister for Communications (1998–2001)	1997–2001	Future President of Ghana
Alhaji Mohammed Mumuni	Minister for Employment and Social Welfare	1997–2001	Later Foreign Minister (2009–2013)
Alban Bagbin	Deputy Minority Leader (1997–2001); Minister for Health (1999–2000)	1997–2001	Became senior cabinet minister
Cletus Avoka	Deputy Minister for Local Government (1997–2000)	1997–2000	Continued from first term
Alhaji Seidu Iddi	Northern Regional Minister (1997–2000); later Upper East Regional Minister	1997–2000	Regional administration

The presence of Fourth Republic Northern Ghana politicians in key ministries ensured that northern development remained on the national agenda.

Legacy of the First NDC Government (1993–2001) for Northern Ghana

The Rawlings democratic era established several important precedents for northern political representation.

First, northerners proved they could hold the highest non‑elected offices – Defense Minister, Majority Leader, Speaker – with distinction.

Second, the transition from PNDC to democratic politics allowed northern figures like Mahama Iddrisu and John Ndebugre to adapt and continue serving.

Third, a new generation of northern MPs – Bagbin, Avoka, Mahama, Chambas – gained national experience that would serve them in later decades.

Fourth, the NDC’s dominance in the north during this period made the region a political stronghold, giving northern leaders leverage in party negotiations.

Yet the Rawlings years also saw continued economic challenges. The ERP’s austerity measures affected the north, and infrastructure development remained uneven. However, the foundation for democratic stability was laid.

The Kufuor Years and First Northern Vice President

The NDC lost the 2000 elections to the New Patriotic Party (NPP). John Agyekum Kufuor became President, and – for the first time – a northerner, Alhaji Aliu Mahama, became Vice President of Ghana. The NPP victory demonstrated that northerners could thrive in opposition and in government across party lines.

In Part Ten of our series, we will explore the Kufuor Years (2001–2009) – Aliu Mahama as the first northern Vice President, and the northern MPs who served in an NPP government.

Join us for Part Ten: The Kufuor Years (2001–2009) – Aliu Mahama as First Northern Vice President.

Key Figures of the Fourth Republic (1993–2001)

Name	Role(s)	Period	Legacy
Alhaji Mahama Iddrisu	Minister for Defence	1993–1999	Longest-serving Defence Minister; NDC elder statesman
John Dramani Mahama	Deputy Minister for Communications (1997–1998); Minister for Communications (1998–2001); MP for Bole/Bamboi	1997–2001	Future President of Ghana (2012–2017, 2025–present)
Alban S. K. Bagbin	Deputy Minister for Health (1993–1997); Deputy Minority Leader (1997–2001); Minister for Health (1999–2000)	1993–2001	Later Majority Leader (2009–2013), Speaker (2021–present)
Cletus Apul Avoka	Deputy Minister for Local Government (1993–2000); MP for Bawku West	1993–2001	Later Minister for Interior (2009–2013); longest-serving MP
Alhaji Mohammed Mumuni	Minister for Employment and Social Welfare	1997–2001	Later Foreign Minister (2009–2013)
Mohamed Ibn Chambas	MP for Bimbilla; First Deputy Speaker (1993–1994)	1993–1997	Later ECOWAS President, UN official
Alhaji Seidu Iddi	Northern Regional Minister (1993–1997, 1997–2000); Upper East Regional Minister	1993–2000	Regional administration