{
  "id": 3756208,
  "title": "Mahama reshuffle sparks anger in Upper West as Rashid Pelpuo is moved to Presidency",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/27/mahama-reshuffle-sparks-anger-in-upper-west-as-rashid-pelpuo-is-moved",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-27T13:49:29.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Adom Online",
    "slug": "adom-online",
    "url": "https://www.adomonline.com/mahama-reshuffle-sparks-anger-in-upper-west-as-rashid-pelpuo-is-moved-to-presidency/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "President John Dramani Mahama's recent reshuffle has caused outrage in the Upper West Region. The move to reassign Dr. Rashid Hassan Pelpuo, former Minister for Labour, Jobs and Employment, to the position of Minister of State in charge of Special Initiatives at the Presidency has left many residents feeling disappointed and angry. Traders, tricycle riders, youth groups, and NDC supporters have expressed their discontent, urging the President to reconsider his decision. For many young people in the region, Dr. Pelpuo's presence at the Labour Ministry was a beacon of hope for securing employment. Ahmed Jimba, a tricycle operator, fumes, \"Our livelihood and survival depend on Dr. Pelpuo; moving him from that ministry will truncate our dreams of getting employment.\"\n\nThe Upper West Region, with a population exceeding 900,000, currently lacks a Cabinet-level representative. This issue has become a significant concern for residents. While the newly assigned portfolio of Special Initiatives at the Presidency may be unfamiliar to many, they believe it will not bring direct benefits to the region. In response to the reshuffle, political sentiment is growing. Supporters of the opposition NPP have questioned the NDC government's loyalty to the region, despite the Upper West Region having given the NDC all 11 parliamentary seats in the 2024 elections. They contrast this with the NPP era, when the region was rewarded with a substantive Cabinet Minister and a Deputy, even though the NPP secured fewer seats. On social media, many have criticized the government, asking whether the Upper West has \"sold their dog for a monkey,\" a phrase used to express a perceived downgrade in status.",
  "summary": "The reshuffle announced by President John Dramani Mahama on Wednesday has hit the Upper West Region like a bombshell. Dr Rashid Hassan Pelpuo, who was serving as Minister for Labour, Jobs and Employment, has been moved to the Presidency as Minister of State in charge of Special Initiatives. In Wa and across the region, traders, […]",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}