Awal Alhassan, a distinguished Ghanaian political figure currently making significant strides in American labor leadership, has been re-elected for a third term on the executive board of the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME NJ). With an overwhelming mandate, garnering 12,696 out of 13,815 votes (91.9%), his recent victory at the AFSCME NJ convention, held from April 30 to May 2 at the Princeton Crowne Plaza Hotel, marks not just a personal milestone but a renewed call for responsible, people-centered governance.
In his address to delegates, Mr. Awal emphasized the foundational role of democratic principles in shaping public service delivery. His speech painted a vision steeped in member-driven leadership, accountability, inclusivity, and collective decision-making—values he asserts are non-negotiable in transforming communities. These ideals, although spoken in an American union context, reveal a political maturity and clarity of purpose that Tamale Central, Ghana, can profoundly benefit from. Watch his address below,
Mr. Awal’s AFSCME NJ experience is not ceremonial. It is rooted in deep political and policy engagement, including strategic involvement in gubernatorial endorsement evaluations for the Democratic Party. His role helped structure the process for evaluating candidates based on their commitment to workers’ rights, health benefits, staffing reforms, and public service protections—all pressing issues that similarly confront Tamale Central’s youth, civil servants, and underrepresented communities.
Now eyeing a parliamentary run under the New Patriotic Party (NPP) ticket for the Tamale Central Constituency, Mr. Awal is bringing home more than just inspiration. He offers a tested model of leadership, one that listens to the grassroots, builds alliances across divides, and stands firm on values rather than empty slogans.
“I want to bring back dignity to public service in Tamale Central. If I can sit with five potential governors of New Jersey and demand answers about health benefits and workers’ rights, then I am equally ready to ask the hard questions about water, sanitation, education, and jobs in Tamale,” Mr. Awal hinted in a private conversation.
His leadership on the AFSCME NJ board was characterized by an unwavering commitment to unity over division, a thoughtful rejection of premature endorsements that could fracture collective goals, and a clear preference for member-led governance. This approach resonates with the growing calls in Northern Ghana for more grounded, visionary leadership—one that rises above petty rivalries and focuses on delivering outcomes.
Awal Alhassan’s resume doesn’t just flaunt accolades; it reflects a philosophy of leadership that’s participatory, transparent, and future-focused. His work with AFSCME NJ revealed his ability to navigate complex policy environments, mediate between diverse interests, and maintain principled stances even under political pressure.
If given the nod to represent Tamale Central in Ghana’s Parliament, his experience offers the constituency a bridge to international standards of governance and advocacy, something sorely lacking in Ghanaian politics. His exposure to data-driven decision-making, inclusive consultation, and evidence-based policy review could bring fresh air to a region that often finds itself at the periphery of national development priorities.
In a time where youth unemployment, health system constraints, and leadership fatigue plague Northern Ghana, the question Tamale Central voters must ask is: Are we ready for a technocratic, globally connected leader with a local heart? Mohammed Awal is not just campaigning for a seat, he is campaigning for a new kind of politics, one built on vision, competence, and connection to both community and global best practices.
