NDC will retain Tema East seat – Ashai Odamtten

Isaac Ashai Odamtten, the Member of Parliament for Tema East and parliamentary candidate for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has expressed confidence that he will retain the seat for the party in the December 7 general elections.

Odamtten, who is seeking a second term, won the seat from the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in a fierce contest in 2020, making the hitherto NPP’s safe seat fall to the opposition NDC.

Speaking to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in an interview, he said he has done much in the area, which guarantees his influence on the electorate of the constituency.

He noted that his work as a former Chief Executive Officer of the Tema Metropolitan Assembly (TMA), coupled with his achievements in his first term, makes his opponent, Yohane Amarh Ashitey, the parliamentary candidate for the NPP and current MCE for the TMA, not a match.

Mentioning some of his achievements as an MCE, he said that he worked on the sealing of the 1.0 km Bankuman Road in Tema Manhean, renovation of the Public Works Department, the supply and installation of streetlights on selected streets, and the supply of furniture for basic schools in the metropolis.

He added that he also ensured the construction of a 2-story, 12-unit classroom block with ancillary facilities at Mexico School, Mante Din, and Manhean Anglican Cluster of Schools, among others, adding that a three-number kitchen and store for the school feeding programme was also undertaken at Baatsona, Community 8 and Manhean.

He indicated that other achievements included the construction of two units of Community Health Planning and Services (CHPS) compounds at Adjei Kojo and Manhean and the construction of a two (2)-story, 17-unit shop at Tema Manhean Market.

He mentioned that under his tenure as the MCE, the TMA embarked on the rehabilitation of the footbridge at Tema Manhean, completed market stalls for tomato sellers at community 1, fabricated and installed 100 street poles with name signage and 4000 house number plates, and constructed a 20-seater water closet facility at Adjei Kojo Market, as well as drainages.

Odamtten noted that he has also created employment opportunities for residents through the training of 173 young women in hairdressing, facilitating the employment of over 100 people at Cosmos Foods and 300 people at Pioneer Food Cannery, among others.

He further said that as part of his job creation drive, he created 24 dispatch rider opportunities through the work-in-pay system, provided drivers with vehicles on a work-in-pay basis, and sponsored 13 persons to acquire forklift training, with others receiving skill training in sewing, catering, bead making, decor creation, and P.O.P. ceiling designs.

Education wise, he refurbished the computer lab at Our Lady of Mercy SHS, equipped the Manhean Secondary Technical computer lab, St. Alban JHS, and SDA JHS, among other schools, and provided a comprehensive ‘Back to School’ package to students while implementing a mentorship and coaching programme for the youth through his “Time with Your MP.”

“My dedication to education and the well-being of my constituents is evident in my numerous achievements, work, and honesty. My contributions will be recognised and appreciated by the electorate,” he stressed.

He said Tema East has many vulnerable and needy people due to some socio-economic factors; therefore, he received enormous requests, which he is unable to meet to all due to limited funds.

He indicated that looking at his achievement with such limited funds, when the NDC is voted into power, he would be able to lobby more to embark on the numerous projects he has planned for the constituency.

Odamtten is a public servant with vast experience in management, accounting, banking, finance, and leadership, among others. As the incumbent MP, he serves on the Gender and Children (standing) and the Employment, Social Welfare, and State Enterprises (select) committees.

He took a job in the public service sector as the Tema Metropolitan Chief Executive after a decade of experience in the private sector at International Commercial Bank Limited (now FBN Bank) as Senior Manager of Corporate Services, and head of Finance, Administration and Estates.

The TMA under him was adjudged the best district in Ghana in 2014 and 2016 out of 216 districts in the District League Table (DLT) by the United Nations International Children Emergency Fund (UNICEF) and Centre for Democratic Development (CDD) Ghana.

Until he left government in 2017, he was the elected president of the National Association of Local Authorities of Ghana (NALAG) and served on the Commonwealth Local Government Forum Governing Board, London.

The Tema East NDC candidate also served the Ghana Education Service in various roles.