The Central Regional youth are on the neck of Akufo-Addo led NPP government for failing to give proper accounts on One Million Dollar – One Constituency project.
The youth decried that since NPP took over from the Mahama led NDC government, the development of Central Region has come to a stand still. And that no meaningful project has been completed yet NPP communicators are always on various TV and radio programs touting NPP government’s effort of fulfilling the promise of distributing one million dollars to every constituency each year.
Spokesperson for the youth, Mr Bright Botchway who doubles as the Deputy regional youth organizer, central region in an interview stated,
“If you go round the region, you will realize Central Region is being neglected. A lot of communities are lacking basic social amenities. The roads are getting worse day in day out, our schools are falling apart. Our sewage system is in a sorry state; portable drinking water is a challenge. It is sad to note that some schools are now death traps yet we are told one million dollars is being given to Central Region each year as promised. So if this is the case and yet developments have stalled, then where is the money? We need accountability. Akufo Addo and his NPP government can not take us for a ride. We are tired of this NPP government and their promises”.
It could be recalled that ahead of the 2016 general elections, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) stated in its manifesto that as part of measures to transform Ghana, it was going to adopt a localized development approach known as the Infrastructure for Poverty Eradication Programme (IPEP) thus One District One Million Dollar.
Annually, every constituency is entitled to one million dollars to finance capital expenditure. This involves upgrading and improving infrastructure and developing new facilities, especially in rural and deprived communities.
After the NPP assumed office in 2017, President Akufo-Addo set up the Ministry of Special Development Initiatives to oversee the implementation of this aspect of the manifesto. The various development authorities, covering Coastal, Middle and Northern belts were created to serve as implementation agencies.