I am not an arm-chair minister - Hon. Sarpong

Contrary to murmurings and speculations to the effect that the Central Regional Minister is an authoritarian who is using his ministerial appointment to harass and intimidate people in the region, Mr. Samuel Sarpong has denied, saying he is a disciplinarian who will not sit idle to allow people do things with impunity.

"I have been given a mandate to transform the region and offer alternative livelihoods for the people, and that is exactly what I am doing,’’ he said.

He intimated that the detractors of development called him all kind of names when he had an issue with a taxi driver who carelessly hit his official vehicle; and also when he joined the security forces to combat illegal miners in the region.

Speaking to gold news, the Central regional minister who was once the mayor of Kumasi and later became the Ashanti regional minister stated that; "I am not an arm chair minister of state. I do not see why I should always sit in the office and send people to go and work.

I will have to be on the field to see things for myself and ensure the job is done well because if it must be done, it must be done well. If you will recall, last year when we were having problems with illegal miners (Galamsey) I accompanied the security agencies in the various areas to combat the situation and it worked perfectly. I am not rigid, I am a disciplinarian, and it is as simple as that.’’

Mr. Samuel Sarpong hinted of massive developments in the region as government is keen to give the central region a facelift.

He noted that the ministry of health under Hon. Sherry Aryeetey had earmarked fifty (50) CHIPS compounds to be splashed in the region.

Aside that, CEDECOM is also undertaking a number of projects which will improve the regional infrastructure and enhance the living conditions of the people.

To accelerate development in the area, Samuel Sarpong, who was adjudged the best regional minister in 2013, had made it mandatory for all District Chief Executives (DCE’s) to collaborate with the chiefs in their respective areas to exchange ideas, share experiences and be unflinching partners in development. For this reason, the chiefs have united and are helping with government’s developmental drive in the region.

Giving progress of work in the ongoing works on the kotokuraba market and the cape coast stadium, the minister said, though the stadium is supposed to be completed in 2 years, he believes work will be completed ahead of schedule as 40% of work was completed in four months.

According to Mr. Samuel Sarpong, the market traders at the kotokuraba market have been moved to a temporary location to allow work on the market to begin in earnest.

"The preparatory work on the market has been done. Market traders are cooperating fully, and in no time President John Dramani Mahama will be in the region to cut the sod for actual work to commence on the market.’’

He said judging from the months he had spent in the region vis-a-vis the developmental projects, he believes a lot had been achieved and a lot more needed to be done.

The central regional minister Mr. Samuel Sarpong was of the view that after the first term in office of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) under the leadership of President John Dramani, a lot more stories will be told with practical and vivid achievements, which will proof to all and sundry that "we walked our talk.’’