Prof Der to contest NPP parliamentary primaries in Nandom

November 2, 2026

2 minutes read

A RENOWNED anatomic pathologist and medical educator, Professor Edmund Muonir Der, has expressed his intention to contest the New Patriotic Party (NPP) parliamentary primaries in the Nandom Constituency of the Upper West Region, bringing his academic credentials and longstanding political involvement into the race for the party’s parliamentary candidature.

Prof. Der, a Professor of Pathology at the University for Development Studies (UDS), has been actively involved in the NPP for more than a decade, having served in various party positions at the constituency, regional and university levels.

His political involvement dates back to December 2012, when he became a party agent at the Nandom Constituency’s Local Council One (LC1).

He subsequently served as an Assemblyman and government appointee at the Nandom Municipal Assembly from February 2017 to 2024.

Within the party, he is currently a Regional Patron of the NPP in the Upper West Region and Constituency Patron in Nandom, positions he has held since October 2023.

He is also a patron of the Tertiary Students Confederacy (TESCON) branch of UDS in Tamale and a member of the Nandom Constituency NPP Disciplinary Committee, a position he has held since June 2023.

His political profile also includes active participation in the party’s campaign programmes and activities in Nandom and beyond, as well as financial support for party programmes.

He has additionally played a leading role in organising health-related activities financed by then Member of Parliament for Nandom, Mr Ambrose Dery.

Beyond politics, Prof. Der has built an accomplished career in medical practice, research and academic leadership.

He obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Biology from UDS in 2000 and an MBChB degree in 2005 before undertaking postdoctoral training in Global Health at the University of Michigan in the United States in 2011.

He is a Fellow of the West African College of Physicians and the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons and a Senior Specialist in Anatomic Pathology.

He has served as Vice-Dean of the UDS School of Medicine and previously headed the Department of Pathology at the School of Medicine and Health Sciences.

His research interests include cancer pathology, maternal health, autopsy pathology and disease patterns in northern Ghana. He has published more than 80 peer-reviewed scientific papers and contributed to collaborative research on high-risk human papillomavirus genotypes and cervical cancer in Ghana.

His proposed parliamentary bid is expected to bring his experience in medicine, academia, public service and party organisation into discussions about the NPP’s prospects in Nandom.

The constituency faces several development priorities, including improved healthcare and education, infrastructure, employment and economic opportunities for young people.

Prof. Der will, however, have to convince party delegates that his experience, political commitment and professional accomplishments make him the appropriate candidate to represent the constituency in Parliament.

BY GORDON WELLU

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