Dr. Bernard Oko Boye, MP, Ledzokuku Constituency
There was a near exchange of blows, between New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament (MP) for Ledzokuku Constituency, Dr. Bernard Oko Boye, and Resident Association of Teshie, after the politician organized party machomen to support him to disrupt an ongoing demonstration against bad roads in his Constituency.
According to Herald’s information, the first time legislator on Monday, threw caution to the wind, and angrily engaged his constituents, including “Trotro” and taxi drivers, in brutal exchanges, following their decision to embark on a demonstration without his permission.
A video recording of the incident, shows a visibly angry lawmaker whose muscles were spoiling for a bloody fight. Many have described the medical doctor’s behaviour in the full glare of the public as very “dishonourable”.
The NPP MP, had two issues with the demonstrators, one being adamant and embarking on the demonstration, even after he made known efforts he is personally making to get the deplorable roads fixed. He also took issues with the residents blocking of the roads on Monday morning.
He insisted, the blocking of the road, was unlawful and forcefully demanded that the roads be opened for use.
But for the timely intervention of some onlookers, who made frantic efforts to restrain him and calm nerves of both parties, the MP and his group, would have exchanged blows with the demonstrators, who have for about three years now being lamenting about the deplorable roads in the communities.
Most roads in Teshie and its environs, have gone so bad and dusty with residents afraid of respiratory diseases.
The video, has since gone viral on social media with many wondering why a trained medical doctor, who doubles as Board chairman of Ghana’s premier Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, will descend into the gutters, because of registration of protest by residents, who were merely demanding their portion of the national cake.
This paper is informed that the disagreement ensued after disappointed and frustrated residents, having had enough of Dr. Oko Boye’s inability to meet various deadlines, decided to embark on a peaceful demonstration to draw the attention of authorities, to the deplorable LEKMA- Link road, which connects Teshie to the Spintex Road and other communities.
Sources say, the demonstrators had agreed to start from two different parts of the road, which also leads to the District Police station near the Kofi Annan Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAPTC), and were marching to meet at a point where they were slated to address the media.
But what was expected to be an incident-free march rather turned chaotic, after the MP emerged from nowhere; ostensibly to stop the demonstrators from going ahead as their action this paper gathered, has the potential, to damage the image of the government and his popularity, especially as primaries for the next general elections draw near.
The Herald, gathered from sources that, the MP, managed to somewhat sweet talk some of the demonstrators on the Police Station stretch of the road, who abandoned their intention, however, others from the other part of the road around Agblezaa, could not be bothered as they refused to back down, and insisted on finishing what they had started.
Clad in a Manchester United shirt and khaki shorts, Dr. Oko Boye, who felt slighted, came in forcefully with his boys and engaged the demonstrators in hot exchanges to the shock of passersby.
The MP, who was initially unstoppable, later calmed down as some of these passersby and other residents intervened in the impasse.
It will be recalled that this year; the MP, warned the NPP government he would be unable to intervene if his constituents decide to protest over the roads in the Constituency.
His outburst, followed several assurance and visits to the Roads and Highways Ministry to get them to construct the roads. The roads were under construction until the Akufo-Addo took over power from the John Mahama administration. The NPP actually stopped the project for no reason.
On many occasions, the medical practitioner turned politician, has bemoaned the deplorable state of some of the roads in his Constituency and has spoken on both national television and radio stations, claiming the Minister, Kwesi Amoako Atta, was aware of the situation and has given him the clearest indication that they will be done.
But three years into the administration of the NPP, residents appear to be running out of patience and have begun to spit fire to remind authorities of their responsibilities.
