The Tamale Metro Assembly and Northern Regional Coordinating Council, operating under the Local Government Staff Association, are planning a demonstration on Monday, February 19, 2024.
This comes in response to an alleged assault on a health official by Tamale Mayor, Sule Salifu, who is also the parliamentary candidate for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in Tamale Central Constituency.
The dispute originated from a decision by the Northern regional environmental health officer overseeing staff transfers at the metropolitan health office, Sulemana Yakubu.
Yakubu reportedly transferred 18 staff members, including an acquaintance of Mayor Salifu, leading to a heated confrontation between the two.
According to Rainbow Radio’s correspondent, Prince Kwame Tamekloe, the disagreement escalated to the point where Mayor Salifu allegedly slapped Sulemana Yakubu three times.
“About three weeks ago, they held a meeting at the environmental health office, where Sulemana Yakubu serves as both the Northern Regional Environmental Health Officer and the authority responsible for staff transfers.
“It is alleged that Mayor Salifu was not pleased with the transfer of his loved one, leading to an exchange of words and ultimately, the mayor slapping Officer Yakubu three times,” he said.
“The Northern Regional Minister has expressed disapproval of the mayor’s actions, stating that it is not appropriate…the workers are insisting that they will not feel safe working with the mayor until he issues an apology.
“Despite the Regional Minister’s request for an apology, the mayor has refused to comply,” he added.
The incident took place during a meeting at the environmental health office about three weeks ago.
Despite the regional minister’s intervention, Mayor Salifu has reportedly refused to apologize to the health officer.
The workers are adamant that they won’t feel safe working with the mayor until he issues an apology, despite the Northern Regional Minister expressing disapproval of the mayor’s actions.