In a Community Manifesto event today, Sam George, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Ningo-Prampram, has addressed several pressing issues in his constituency, particularly the roles and responsibilities of MPs versus those of district assemblies and central government.
Hon. Sam George clarified that while MPs often engage in developmental activities, their primary mandate is legislative. According to Hon. Sam George, “MPs are not developmental agents… we are quasi developmental agents,” emphasizing that the actual agents of development are district assemblies, led by District Chief Executives (DCEs).
Hon. Sam George highlighted his constituency’s challenges due to what he describes as an ineffective DCE. He criticized the DCE for failing to convene a general assembly meeting since November 2023, which has hindered his ability to present constituency issues for development.
The Role of Members of Parliament (MPs)
Moreover, Hon. Sam George emphasized that although the MP is an ex officio member of the assembly and does not have voting rights, the DCE must be responsive and accountable to the people.
“The DCE should be here… He must be here to account to the people.”
Hon. Sam George, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Ningo-Prampram,
Sam George pointed out the poor performance of the Ningo-Prampram district. George cited a report from the Greater Accra Regional Coordinating Council, which ranked Ningo-Prampram as the second-worst-performing district in Greater Accra. This, he argued, is not his assessment but a reflection of the DCE’s failures. The Greater Accra Regional Coordinating Council ranked all the districts Ningo-Prampram came second to last,” George noted.
Despite these challenges, George underscored his efforts to attract private investments to the constituency, which have created significant employment opportunities.
Moreover, Hon. Sam George pointed out how he facilitated the resolution of land litigation issues for B5 Plus, a company that now employs 1,800 people in the constituency. Additionally, he mentioned his collaboration with Atlantic Life Sciences and Alpha T&D to secure jobs for constituents. He further pointed out that the Gyata Foundation has been committed to delivering and improving the condition of services for the people of Ningo Prampram. He stated that the Gyata Foundation is committed to setting up over 50 businesses to help the people this year.
“My job as a quasi-developmental agent… is to reach out to private investment and make sure that we put people in this constituency.”
Hon. Sam George, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Ningo-Prampram,
Hon. Sam George also spoke about his initiatives in education, stating that over 250 students are being supported in various universities through scholarships. He stressed that the selection process for these scholarships is handled independently by the education office, ensuring transparency. “I don’t determine who gets the MP scholarship… they pick it from the education office,” George explained.
Hon. Sam George Further emphasized his role as a quasi-developmental agent, he recounted his intervention in providing street lights to improve security in the constituency.
Meanwhile, the DCE had promised to deliver 100 street lights last year, but George claimed that none had been provided yet. In contrast, he delivered 1,500 street lights through personal interventions, distributing them among assemblymen and the district police commander
. “We’re still waiting for the DCE to bring in 100… I delivered 1,500 street lights.”
Hon. Sam George, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Ningo-Prampram,
Hon. Sam George argued that the true reflection of an MP’s performance is in election results, not in public criticism. He highlighted that since he became MP in 2016, the margin between his party and the opposition has significantly increased, from under 4,000 in 2012 to 30,000 in the last election.
“The assessment of a member of parliament is always in the ballot box… and this time around, we will see where the margin will go with the work that I have done.”
Hon. Sam George, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Ningo-Prampram,
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