Chief accuses MP of neglect

The Omanhene of the Komenda Traditional Area , Nana Kodwo Kru II, has accused the Member of Parliament (MP) for the Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abrem, Dr Ato Quarshie, of not showing interest and concern towards the development of the area.

He regretted that though the people have initiated a number of projects to improve their living standards, the MP has not given them much push and assistance towards their execution. The Omanhene said this at a news conference when Dr Quarshie could not attend a meeting organised by the Komenda Citizens Improvement Association last Tuesday to discuss and find solutions to problems affecting the development of the area.

Nana Kru announced that the community has attracted foreign investors who have shown interest to reactivate the Komenda Sugar Factory, stressing that, “ we now need our MP to chase them for us but we don’t see him.” He added that the investors, who are from South Africa, have visited the abandoned factory and are happy with the irrigation system in the area.

Earlier, speakers at the forum discussed issues including poor sanitation, lack of place of convenience, and outbreak of cholera and expressed concern about the absence of the MP. They expressed concern about some media reports which create the impression that the MP has been meeting his constituents.

The Abranhen, Nana Essiedu I, said the landing bay for fishermen, which he described as bad, has forced a number of fishermen to seek employment elsewhere. He said six lives were lost last year because of the rough nature of the bay. Nana Essiedu said 16 people have also died of cholera during the past two months and attributed this to poor sanitation in the community. In a reaction to the accusations, Dr Quarshie said he has rendered considerable services to the people of Komenda ever since he became the MP for the area in 1992.

According to Dr Quarshie, Komenda has benefited immeasurably in the form of development projects which, to a reasonable extent, have raised the image of the town. The former minister of Roads and Highways mentioned the tarring of roads from the Komenda Junction to the township, the extension of the street lighting system and even the rehabilitation of the palace which currently accommodates the Omanhen.

“I personally assisted to construct the beach front of Komenda as well as gave some form of assistance to citizens of the community who were attacked in Sassandra in Cote d’Ivoire a few years back and were brought home,” the KEEA MP said. Dr Quarshie said he has also assisted the Omanhen on countless occasions and wondered why “the Omanhen, who knows very well the invaluable contribution he has offered the community will this time around fire unsubstantiated salvos at me and my being”.

“ I sincerely believe that some demonic plans are being hatched by my political opponents and detractors using some opinion leaders in the constituency to undermine my good intentions for the constituency,” he said. Dr Quarshie pointed out that the electorate in the constituency would have rejected him through the ballot box, if his performance had not measured up to their expectations and aspirations.

He said he would be obliged to serve the Omanhen with his schedule if he cares to know whether or not he has been visiting more than 300 communities in the constituency . Commenting on his inability to honour the community’s invitation, Dr Quarshie said even though he was sent an invitation letter, the community did not follow up to ascertain whether his tight schedule could permit him to honour it until on the eve of the function when they drew his attention to it.

“My absence from the meeting was not a deliberate one, since I have been to the community on countless occasions to honour invitations and discussed with the chiefs and people issues affecting their well-being,” the MP said. Dr Quarshie cautioned prominent figures in the constituency to be wary about the intentions of some personalities who are bent on destroying his image in order to promote their “ spurious and doubtful” political ambitions.