Residents of Ablekuma West blame the MP for their woes

Residents of Ablekuma West Constituency in the Greater Accra region have expressed worry at the poor performance of their Member of Parliament (MP) – Madam Ursula Owusu-Ekuful.

According to them, the lack of proper drainage system, security, unemployment, among others are critical issues that need to be addressed by the MP, however, they the residents have been abandoned to fate as they face their own woes.

Madam Abena Amponsah, a trader at the Dansoman market said sales have been extremely low for her due to the unavailability of the products she sells in the midst of a lot of traders.

According to her, the few customers that pass by also complain about the high cost of the products, a situation she attributes to the economic situation in the country currently.

She said earlier engagements with authorities to relocate some market women from Adabraka to the Dansoman market so they can make enough sales did not work. She has therefore called on Madam Owusu-Ekuful to intervene in the situation.

The narrative was however quite different with Madam Ama Amponsah, a hairdresser. She commended the MP for her support towards the development of the constituency.

She said Madam Ekuful had supported some women in the area with loans for business and had also constructed roads, established schools, police stations as well as helped some individuals to secure jobs.

On his party, Mr Martin Adjei expressed disappointment in the performance of the MP for abandoning the people that voted her into power.

He said, Madam Owusu-Ekuful does not even avail herself to the people for them to engage her with their problems. He emphasized that, the absence of the MP is affecting developmental projects in the constituency, adding that the MP does not reside there.

“We only see her during campaign and when the election is over, she wouldn’t come here again. So we have decided not to vote for her again if she contests for the seat,” he added.

Mr Stephen Quartey, a phone seller said, the MP has occupied the seat for three terms yet there has been no improvements within the constituency. He disclosed that some areas in the constituency are waterlogged and anytime it rains, it affected residents and destroy their properties, adding further that, the MP has been informed to construct gutters to allow the water to have free flow, but their efforts have been to no avail.

Some residents at Otordjor, expressed disappointment in the MP and the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Cyril Bray, for abandoning the area. They said the authorities came there to assess the flood situation that had been reccurring for sometime yet nothing has been done about it. The residents said Madam Ekuful promised to resolve their issues but they still experienced the flood situation anytime it rained.

Mr Agyemang, a barber, lamented the MP’s neglect of the youth within the constituency after promising them with jobs. He said they supported the MP during campaign with the hope of getting jobs but their efforts have proved futile.

He emphasized that, armed robbery operation has started around Kit Kat – a surburb of the constituency, and therefore urged the MP to ensure the dispatch of some police personnel to the area to prevent unpleasant situations.

Mr Frank Agyemang commended the government for initiating the free Senior High School policy, saying his children have benefited from it and this has alleviated some economic burden off him. He also commended Madam Owusu-Ekuful and entreated her to complete projects that has been started within the municipality.

Some projects have been undertaken under the administration of the MP and the MCE within the municipality.

Some of the completed projects within the District Assembly include the construction of a high street from Asore dan ho to Last Stop and inner roads within Dansoman.

The Assembly has also completed the construction of Akweibu Junior High School, two-storey six-unit block and St. Augustine Anglican School Sahara, all within the municipality. It had also built a police station at SSNIT Flats.

Some of the ongoing projects within the municipality include a three-storey Assembly Block at Keep Fit Park as well as hospitals in areas such as Control, Kit Kat and Last Stop.

By Elizabeth Yaa Brobbey