Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has condemned the comment made by President Akufo-Addo over the abandoned E-block project at Aflao in the Volta Region.
According to him, such comments by the President is inappropriate especially when citizens are demanding responses from a ruling government.
President Akufo-Addo during an interview on Thursday, October 21, 2021, urged the Paramount Chief of the Aflao Traditional Area to “complete” the abandoned E-block community day senior high school in the area himself if he is concerned about the delay.
Mr Ablakwa explained that as a President, he must not use such “intemperate language” when a legitimate call has been made by a Chief who is “passionate about the development of his people, particularly their education”.
“This is the most condescending, disrespectful, disdainful and the most contemptuous retort that any President of the Republic has directed at a Paramount Chief. What Togbe Fiti V said is not different from what chiefs all over the country have been saying – those projects in their communities which have been abandoned, should be attended to”.
Mr Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa
The North Tongu legislator revealed that the request made by Torgbui Adzonu-Gaga Amenya Fiti V to have the E-block community day senior high school completed resonates with calls made by various chiefs on abandoned projects in their jurisdictions.
“We know that there has been this culture of abandoned projects. We have heard Chiefs, some of their subjects have even led demonstrations. There was one in Abetifi a few weeks ago. We heard the Tepa Chief complain about the abandoned hospitals. We have heard the Kumawu Chief complain about abandoned hospitals. Chiefs all over this country have complained about this culture retarding progress”.
Mr Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa
President must render an apology
Following the President’s comment, he later assured the traditional leader government’s resolve to continue projects initiated by his predecessor. President Akufo-Addo emphasized the need for plans being executed to be completed and put to use.
“For some of the projects definitely we will ready ourselves and complete them. But, as much as possible, I have given you these examples for you to see that despite the propaganda [we are working on them]”.
President Akufo-Addo
However, reacting to this, Mr Ablakwa noted that government lacks the commitment to complete the E-block projects. This, he explained, is because government places high premium on completing its own project and makes the necessary allocations to fund them.
In light of this, Mr Ablakwa advised the President to retract his comment and render an unqualified apology. He explained that “we do not pay our taxes to Togbe Fiti V. All their taxes go to the Central government”.
He iterated the need for the President to retract the statement as it would strengthen initiatives for national unity. Mr Ablakwa concerted to the fact that the President should be spearheading such calls and not the other way round.
“We want to unite. The President must be leading that effort. The President should not be at the forefront of discriminating or dividing our ranks and making some chiefs feel that they are not important, making their people feel they are not a part of the Republic”.
Mr Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa
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