The Deputy General Secretary of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mustapha Gbande, has commended government’s commissioning of the Assin Fosu to Assin Praso stretch, which spans 31.2 kilometres and connects Ahwian Nkwanta in the Ashanti Region to Yamoransa in the Central Region..
According to him, these projects are however inadequate to secure victory for the New Patriotic Party (NPP). He explained that the roads would not significantly improve the livelihoods of the constituents.
“It’s good news for the people of Ghana, that this non-performing government has at least commissioned the road. I have plied the road and it’s a beautiful road. What does this road mean to the people? The people cannot move their cocoa produce to the main city of Assin North.”
Mustapha Gbande
Furthermore, Mr Gbande accused the government of undertaking these projects primarily to gain votes in the upcoming by-election on June 27. He pointed out that the roads leading to the villages within Assin North have not been properly handled by government, making it challenging for farmers to transport their produce.
“The roads leading to the villages have not been tarred. One will question if what the government has done will put food on the table for the people of Assin North. We want to see Ghanaians being disburdened, and see the standard of living in the lives of the people of Assin North improved.
“We are talking about the majority of Assin North who this road does not mean anything to them. 80% of the people there are farmers, they cannot boast of farm inputs, fertilizers, high yields, nor buy medicine. As far as I’m concerned, this is a very useless government, and so if they have done this road, they deserve some commendation for completing the road. How that this translates into the people’s lives?”.
Mustapha Gbande
NPP rubbishes claims on reasons for commissioning Assin stretch
Meanwhile, the Director of Communication of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Richard Ahiagbah, has debunked claims by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) that the NPP is abusing incumbency ahead of the 27th June by-election in the Assin North Constituency. He revealed that the statement being propagated by the opposition party is far from the truth.
“I don’t know how they come to that conclusion but to be honest with you, I think the NDC is struggling. They don’t have a message in Assin North so they are looking for a message, their strategy is lies and they major on minor issues. And when there are no issues they create one.”
Richard Ahiagbah
Mr Ahiagbah explained that the government is more concerned about and interested in the development of the country, which includes the construction of roads in Assin North
“We are interested in developing all of this country so let’s move on and agree that what has to be done has been done. The least they can do is to acknowledge and commend the government and move on. They should also look for what they want to do for the people and move on.”
Richard Ahiagbah
It will be recalled that Vice President, Dr Mahamanudu Bawumia, commissioned the 31.2km Assin Fosu-Assin Praso portion of the National Trunk Road N8 (Phase 2) at Assin Praso on Friday, 23 June, 2023.
At the commissioning, he revealed that the N8 is an important link for the transportation of freight and people from the Western and Central regions to Ashanti region and the northern parts of Ghana, as well as neighbouring landlocked countries.
Furthermore, he underscored that the completion of this section of road, with works including dualisation of Assin Fosu town roads, will improve travel times for communities along the road especially Assin Praso, Assin Breku, Assin Akonfode, Brofoyeduru, Assin Nyankomase, and Assin Fosu, according to officials of the Ministry of Roads and Highways.
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