The Eastern Regional Communications Officer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Kojo Danquah, has fiercely criticized Bryan Acheampong, the Member of Parliament for Abetifi, over his undemocratic comments.
Bryan Acheampong, who also doubles as Minister of Agriculture, while addressing supporters at Nsawam, reiterated, “I have said that whether the NDC likes it or not, they will never win the 2024 elections. They would not win. You can check their records. They would not win. The NPP would win the elections. The NPP exists to win elections.”
In a scathing attack, the Eastern Regional Communications Officer of NDC, Kojo Danquah, accused the MP of neglecting his responsibilities, focusing instead on political maneuvering and undemocratic utterances.
“The Abetifi road network has now deteriorated into a nightmarish shadow of its former glory,” Danquah lamented during a press conference held at the NDC regional office in Koforidua. He highlighted the deplorable condition of major routes such as Tafo to Kotoso, Yaw Tenkorang to Simpoa, and St. Peters Junction to Abetifi, all of which have fallen into severe disrepair. “These roads are now riddled with serious cracks and extensive erosion, looking like the aftermath of a catastrophic event,” he added.
The NDC official underscored the worsening situation during the rainy season when these roads turn into what they described as an “island of misery.”
Kojo Danquah detailed how torrential rains transform the thoroughfares into treacherous, waterlogged paths filled with dangerous potholes.
“Commuters are left to face this horrendous obstacle, where every journey is burdened with the risk of vehicular damage or, even worse, accidents,” Danquah stressed, likening the experience to navigating a “rocky battlefield.”
He recalled a recent visit by Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia to the Eastern Region, during which Acheampong allegedly boasted that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) would use “all possible means” to secure victory in the 2024 elections, including “stealing the mandate of the people.”
“One would wonder why the roads in Abetifi are in such a deplorable state when they have an ‘all-knowing,’ ‘too known,’ and braggart like Bryan Acheampong as a Member of Parliament,” Danquah remarked. He questioned why Acheampong had not redirected his “negative energy” towards improving the infrastructure in his constituency, which would greatly alleviate the suffering of his constituents.
The press conference held on Wednesday painted a grim picture of the current road infrastructure in the region, worsened by the recent rainfall.
He called the situation a “profound disrespect” to the people of the region, increasing food prices and the general cost of living.
The NDC listed many critical roads in the region that have deteriorated to alarming levels, severely impacting daily life and the economy.
He accused the President of “turning a blind eye” to the suffering of the entire region while lavishing attention on his hometown of Kyebi.
The NDC further listed several other constituencies suffering from poor road conditions, including Kade, Akim Swedru, Nkawkaw, Afram Plains North, and Lower Manya Krobo, among others.
The press conference also expounded on the broader impact of the deteriorating roads on health and the economy, as well as the cost of frequent maintenance of roads.
The NDC said the poor state of the entire road network in the region has precipitated a tragic collapse in cocoa production, with Eastern Regional output plummeting from an unprecedented 100,000 metric tons in 2016 to a dismal 24,000 metric tons.
The NDC called for immediate action, including a comprehensive overhaul of the road infrastructure, an investigation into the alleged corruption, and economic relief for those affected.
Finally, the NDC accused the government of corruption, specifically citing the theft of railway assets. “We have uncovered disturbing evidence that the railway lines are being stolen by government and party officials.”