Emerging political stalwarts of Sisaala land: Biographical narratology of Amidu Isahaku Chinnia’s personality dispositions

Abstract

In the Ghanaian political landscape, Sisaala land is on record to have produced political stalwarts who have occupied high-ranking political portfolios including the presidency of Ghana. Previous research has identified some pioneering Sisaala political stalwarts including; Dr. Hilla Limman, Imoro Egala; and others. Also, prominent political stalwarts such as; Kwame Nkrumah, Kofi Abrefa Busia, Simon Diedong Dombo, Adu Boahen, Jerry John Rawlings, and others have been variously studied by biographers. Motivated by previous biographical studies anchored on the paucity of similar biographies on emerging political stalwarts of Sisaala land, the study utilised qualitative narrative design to chronicle the biography, personality dispositions, and developmental contributions of Amidu Isahaku Chinnia. Empirical data were elicited through semi-structured interviews from twenty-one (21) heterogeneous-purposively sampled respondents. The study found Chinnia to be a growing academic, known staunch member of the New Patriotic Party and a potential political stalwart in Ghana who currently serves as the Member of Parliament for Sissala East Constituency and Deputy Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources. With mixed viewpoints ably argued by the research participants, the study further found Chinnia to be a development-oriented personality with dispositions that are in tandem with the five-factor personality model (emotional intelligence, assertiveness, openness, conscientiousness, & loyalty). With his enviable academic pedigree, development-mindedness, political activism and unwavering personality dispositions, Chinnia appears to have a brighter political future. For Chinnia to consolidate his political growth, and fortunes, he should promote his positive personality dispositions while working on his weaknesses; unite the rank and file of his party in the Sissala East Constituency, address the major developmental needs of his constituents, and loyally support his party-led government to deliver its mandate to Ghanaians as promised.