Private legal practitioner Tsatsu Tsikata has called for reparations for residents of Santrokofi, Akpafu, Likpe and Lolobi (SALL), arguing that they were unjustly denied parliamentary representation during Ghana’s 8th Parliament.
According to him, the situation arose following the creation of the Oti Region under Constitutional Instrument (C.I.) 112, which left the SALL communities without a Member of Parliament after the 2020 general elections.
Speaking at an honourary lecture and awards ceremony at the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA) on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, Tsikata maintained that subsequent measures, including the creation of the Guan Constituency ahead of the 2024 elections, do not adequately address the injustice.
“It cannot be said that the subsequent creation of a Guan district and a Guan constituency are sufficient to remedy the injustice to the people of SALL,” he stated.
“For one thing, the mere denomination of a district and a constituency does not provide the development resources that are the legitimate aspiration of the people.”
He further argued that the affected communities were denied not only representation in Parliament but also access to development opportunities typically facilitated through an MP.
“For the period they lacked representation in Parliament and their share of the resources that could have been available through a Member of Parliament, I dare say they are owed reparation,” he added.
Tsikata described the situation as a “historic injustice,” attributing it to decisions by the Electoral Commission (EC), which he said prevented eligible voters in the area from participating in the 2020 parliamentary election.
“Please remember that the EC itself has admitted that it would have been illegal to have asked the voters in those areas to vote in the Buem constituency in December 2020,” he said.
“Yet, that is what the constitutional instrument which the EC has claimed in its defence to the election petition to be the applicable instrument.”
He noted that the matter remains before the courts as affected residents continue to seek redress over their exclusion from the electoral process.
Criminal prosecution must not be politically motivated-Tsatsu Tsikata
In a related development, Tsatsu Tsikata has cautioned against the politicisation of criminal prosecutions, stressing the need for fairness and adherence to the rule of law.
He warned that criminal proceedings must not be influenced by political considerations, as such actions could undermine public confidence in the justice system.