The District Chief Executive for Sekyere Kumawu, Samuel Addai Agyekum, has called on former President John Dramani Mahama to show gratitude to Ghanaians.
Agyekum believes that Mahama’s administration was characterized by lies and incompetence.
In an interview on Sompa TV on February 15, 2024, Agyekum emphasized that Ghanaians had given Mahama ample opportunity to prove himself during his tenure but he failed to capitalize on it.
“Mahama has been given enough chances. He has worn military attire, received salutes, ex-gratia, and more. He has nothing left to prove,” Agyekum remarked.
He also criticized Mahama’s inability to implement policies for national development.
“You couldn’t even provide food for SHS students in your own Northern region. You should be grateful to Ghanaians for the opportunities they gave you. It’s time you accepted your fate and destiny,” Agyekum said.
He urged Ghanaians to support Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia in the upcoming elections, citing him as a competent leader with fresh ideas for the country’s transformation, particularly in areas like digitalization.
John Dramani Mahama, the Flagbearer of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), is set to join the party’s National Chairman, Johnson Asiedu Nketia, in the Sekyere Kumawu constituency today to intensify their campaign efforts leading up to the Kumawu by-election on May 23, 2023.
The NDC has been actively campaigning in the constituency, with Johnson Asiedu Nketia, National Organizer Joseph Yamin, Dr. Frank Amoakohene, and other party executives tirelessly working day and night. Their aim is to capture the Kumawu Parliamentary seat from the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), which has held it since 1992.
In an interview with GHone news, National Organizer Joseph Yammin expressed confidence in the party’s chosen candidate, stating that they have selected a strong contender who appeals to voters across all political affiliations.
The NDC is determined to secure victory in the upcoming by-election and strengthen their position in the constituency.
“Our candidate is a local man who is a direct relative of the late Philip Basoa. After campaigning with him in the constituency I’m confident we will win the seat.”
He added, “The NPP achievements in the Sekyere Kumawu district in the last 6-7 years is the overnight construction of roads to buy votes in the by-election. They have nothing to show in the district. We were building a district hospital for the district which was about 70% complete, they have abandoned the project. We gave Kumawu potable drinking water for the first time. What can the NPP show in the constituency as Government in power for Kumawu?” he asked.
Meanwhile, the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the Party Bernard Antwi Boasiako Boasiako also known as Wontumi has for the past 7 days relocated to the constituency with his team to campaign in the constituency.
He has been moving from house to house to ensure his party wins the election.
National Chairman of the party Stephen Ntim, National Organizer Nana Boakye, Chief of Staff Fremah Opare, Kennedy Agyapong among others are some big wigs of the party that joined the Wontumi-led campaign team in the constituency to campaign for the party.
Minister of Roads and Highways Kwasi Amoako Attah who inspected overnight road construction work in the constituency also denied constructing roads overnight to canvas for votes ahead of the election.
He explained the roads project was influenced by the late member of Parliament Philip Atta Basoah.
“We are not constructing Kumawu district roads because of the by-election. It was part of the project we were doing in Kwabere East constituency. It is rather unfortunate that the project started three days after the demise of the MP. We are constructing the project to honor him for his work for the party and his constituency,” the Minister stated.
The Minister of Roads and Highways has refuted reports that road renovations in Kumawu, Ashanti Region, are being carried out in preparation for the impending by-election on May 23, 2023.
According to the Minister, Kwasi Amoako-Atta, the timing of the ongoing road works in the constituency is a mere coincidence.
He explained the government had already awarded the road to contract before the unfortunate death of Philip Basoa the Member of parliament of the constituency.
Kumawu, the district capital of the Sekyere Kumawudistrict in Ashanti region township roads has been asphalted days to the Sekyere Kumawu Constituency’s by-election on 23rd May 2023.
Work is also progressing steadily at Woraso, Bodomase, Besoro, and Kumawu-Effiduase highway as contractors work day and night to meet the deadline given to the project.
The Kumawu town alone will benefit from a 20 kilometers asphaltic road network, according to the sector minister.
Bodomase community will also get 2 kilometers of asphaltic roads, Woraso 2 kilometer, 10 kilometers Asokore, and 10 kilometers for Afigyasi community.
The Asante Juaben through Effiduase to Kumawu road will equally be asphalted to create comfort for commuters to promote trade and agriculture in the district.
The roads and highways minister who inspected progress of work stressed that improving the road network in Kumawu district has nothing to do with the upcoming by-election.
Kwasi Amoako-Attah pleaded with communities who are yet to benefit from the road infrastructure project to exercise patience and wait for their turn. He noted that demonstrations do not build roads.
Meanwhile, the national Organizer of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) Joseph Yammin who is busy campaigning in the constituency is confident the NDC’s candidate Kwasi Amankwaa will win the by-election.
He said, the overnight road construction projects in the constituency can win the electorates who have already taken their decision.
Some aggrieved residents of Sekyere Kumawu District in the Ashanti Region on Tuesday besieged the premises of the District Assembly to protest bad roads.
The residents say a rise in robbery incidents in the area can be attributed to the nature of the main Juaben to Kumawu road.
The residents had red bands tied to their hands and heads and said they were also worried about the transportation of produce from farming communities to urban centres after harvest.
One resident, Stephen Acheampong, read out the petition on behalf of the group and presented it to the District Chief Executive.
“This passionate petition has become necessary. Our road from Kumawu through Effiduase to Juaben is in a highly deplorable state. The contractor who started work in some parts has abandoned the site. We can no longer continue to deal with the poor state of the road.”
The District Chief Executive (DCE) for Kumawu received the petition on behalf of the Regional Minister.
“We know how important this is to you, and I can assure you all that I am on your side and will throw my weight behind you to see that the roads are fixed.”
