Joseph Kofi Adda not out of touch with constituents - Navrongo Youth Association

The Navrongo Youth Association, a pressure group in the kasena-Nankana Municipal Assembly of the Upper East Region has dismissed portions of a story carried in the 11th August 2018 edition of the Daily Guide Newspaper that suggests Member of Parliament for the area, Joseph Kofi Adda, has lost touch with his constituents.

In a statement signed by President of the Association, Stanislaus Pwadura, and copied to Atinka News’ Senyalah Castro Cazo on Thursday 15th August, 2018, the youth group said the story which was written by the Papers’ Upper East Regional correspondent, Ebo Bruce Quansah, had in it some inaccuracies that are “misleading, mischievous and written in an attempt to score cheap political points”.

The statement further said the story is a complete distortion of facts and “not a true reflection of the views and opinions of the good people of Navrongo”. The group in the statement has therefore accused the reporter of not being conscientious in gathering facts for the story.

“Our attention has been drawn to a story created and published by the Daily Guide on the 11th August 2018 titled ‘Navrongo Hails New Minister’. In the said story, Daily Guide Upper East Regional correspondent, Ebo Bruce Quansah wrote something in the 3rd paragraph which we find problematic.

“In the paragraph, the reporter said and I quote “in separate interviews in Navrongo, almost all residents said that Paulina would effectively channel their grievances to the Presidency, claiming that their Member of Parliament, Joseph Kofi Adda, who doubles as Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, seems to have lost interest in drawing the attention of government to their developmental needs”

“First of all, the reporter did not do his readers any good by telling us the sample size he used in building his story, the category of people he interviewed and any evidence that the interviews indeed took place.

“Is it not possible that he interviewed very few people whose opinions couldn’t form any bases to merit such a write-up? Is it not possible that the reporter interviewed the Hon. MP’s political opponents who simply wanted to score cheap political points?

“Did the reporter make any efforts to reach the MP or fact-check the claims made by the supposed residents he interviewed?” parts of the statement quizzed.

“We wish to state categorically that, this portion of the story is misleading, mischievous and an attempt to score a cheap political point”. The group stressed.

We have nothing against new Regional Minister-designate

Although the Navrongo Youth Association has stated that it has nothing against the appointment of Paulina Tangoba Abayage, Former Ambassador to Italy and now Upper East Regional Minister Designate, it strongly disagrees with the portion of the publication that indicates she will be a better alternative in effectively driving the development agenda of the constituency as compared to Mr Adda who is reported by the Paper to have lost interest in developing constituency.

“We wish to state that we are not against the appointment of the new Regional Minister Designate, Paulina Tangoba Abayage. We only want to draw the attention of the general public and the Daily Guides reporter to some developmental projects undertaken by Hon. Joseph Kofi Adda, which we think either the reporter or his interviewees were simply trying to throw dust into the eyes of the general public.

“The initiatives and contributions of Hon. Joseph Kofi Adda have proven that he is in touch with his constituents and their needs. He is consistent with his development strategies on which strength he was able to help the NPP return to power after being in opposition for 8 years”. The statement said.

The group congratulated Paulina Tangoba Abayage on her new appointment and urged the media to be circumspect in their reportage in order not to “cause bad blood between the two Ministers”.

We Love Joseph Kofi Adda, We Are Prepared To Support Him In 2020

The group says it is unshaken by the mischievous journey some folks have treaded to douse the enormous achievements of Mr. Adda. According to them, the MP’s ability and love for the development of the constituency are unparalleled.

“Seeing the developmental projects, initiatives and interventions undertaken by our Hon. MP, how on earth will someone seek to suggest that he has lost interesting in drawing government’s attention to our developmental needs?. We the youth of Navrongo therefore hail and love Hon. Joseph Kofi Adda and are prepared to support him for re-election in 2020”

Thank You, Mr. President

Meanwhile, the group is extending their commendation to President Akufo Addo for maintaining Joseph Kofi Adda in his cabinet despite the recent reshuffle.

Mr. Adda is now Minister Designate for Aviation. Prior to the changes, he headed the Water and Sanitation Ministry. He has been replaced by Cecilia Abena Dapaah.

In a related story, the Upper East Regional Women's wing of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has lauded President Akufo Addo for the appointment of a woman as Regional Minister.

The women’s group appreciation contained in a statement released on Monday and signed by the Upper East Regional NPP Women’s Organizer, Georgina Ayamba is thankful to the President for the appointment of Paulina Tangoba Abayage as Political head of the region.

In the statement, Georgina Ayamba thanked the President on behalf of all women in the region and commended him for giving the affirmative action a chance to thrive in our political dispensation.

She pleaded with the Regional Minister Nominee to use her good office to help vulnerable women in society especially widows.