Concern Youth of Oforikrom, believed to be members of the Opposition party, NDC in the constituency led by their communication officer, Jerry James Sukah on Saturday, 21st January 2023 embarked on a massive demonstration calling on the Member of Parliament for the constituency, Dr. Emmanuel Marfo and the Municipal Chief Executive officer to resign to save the constituency.
In a petition read to the media stating some key areas like; Susuakyi wooden bridge, as one of the key reasons for their actions and other inter-city roads that have been abandoned by the two government officials and demand their removal from office.
Matching through the principal streets of the constituency carrying placards with the inscriptions: Mumu MP resign, Fix Alonga susukyi bridge, resign Oforikrom MCE and many inflatable comments thwarting his inability to transform the constituency;
Read the Full Statement:
CONCERNED YOUTH OF OFORIKROM
21st January 2023
To the Media
PETITION AGAINST THE HONOURABLE MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT AND THE MUNICIPAL CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF OFORIKROM FOR THE NEGLECT
The Oforikrom Constituency in the Ashanti Region of Ghana was created in 2004 by the Electoral Commission of Ghana. It is one of the largest Constituencies in Ghana with a population of about 200,000. It has fifteen (15) Electoral Areas and 229 Polling Stations.
Oforikrom attained Municipal status in 2018. It was carved out of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly and was inaugurated on 15th March 2018. This was received with ecstasy in anticipation of massive development. However, development has rather stalled for the past few years.
Ladies and gentlemen, Oforikrom has over the years been lagging behind in terms of development. The Honourable Member of Parliament, Dr. Emmanuel Marfo and the Municipal Chief Executive, Hon. Abraham Kwame Antwi have neglected the Constituents for far too long and as “citizens,” we do not want to be “spectators.” We are here this morning to protest against the neglect by the Member of Parliament and the Municipal Chief Executive.
Ladies and gentlemen, this protest was started in the Social Media when a group of young men, calling themselves “Concerned Youth of Oforikrom” protested against the Municipal authorities over the broken pedestrian bridge linking Anloga to Sisakyi, suburbs of Oforikrom. Residents in the two communities made several calls to the Municipal authorities to fix the bridge but all fell on deaf ears.
Ladies and gentlemen, residents mobilized themselves and constructed a temporary wooden bridge to link the two communities. The bridge would collapse anytime there is a heavy downpour.
The poor nature of the temporary bridge constructed by residents of the two communities poses danger to the lives of pedestrians especially school children and has even claimed lives.
Ladies and gentlemen, after series of Social Media protests, we woke up to see concrete pillars erected for the construction of the bridge. This has come as a relief to the people. However, we expected the Contractor to excavate the ground before erecting the pillars but this was not done. We are afraid the bridge, when constructed would be a death trap and pose danger to our lives. We urge the Contractor to do a very good job for the people and speed up before the rains set in.
Ladies and gentlemen, one other issue of grave concern is the poor and dilapidated road network in the Municipal. Please permit to mention Susanso-Ahinsan Estate road, Anloga Akosuaku-Alafia road, Toppers-Alafia road, Emena-Appiadu-Kokoben road (the road leading to the MP’s residence) among other roads in the Municipal.
We also wish to bring to the attention of the MP and MCE about a river at Twumduase Odiyifo Nkansan area which was once dredged by a resident called Jerry James Sukah to minimize the flooding especially during the rainy season. Immediate steps must be taken to construct a bridge to lessen the plights of our people during the rainy season.
Ladies and gentlemen, the traffic light at Opoku Transport off the Anloga Junction-Susanso road is non-functional and poses danger to commuters. Are we waiting for lives to be lost before fixing the traffic lights? Are our lives not precious to you, Honourable MP and MCE?
We also want to draw your attention to the football pitch at Ayigya Zongo, ladies and gentlemen. All the surrounding Constituencies have had their share of Astro turfs. What is constructed for residents of Ayigya is an eyesore and a waste on the tax payers’ money. Whoever constructed that grassless football pitch must be probed. Kudos to a good Samaritan who is constructing an astro turf for the youth at Kotei.
Ladies and gentlemen, where is the Contractor working on the Anloga-Bomso bridge to ease traffic? The Contractor has abandoned the project and has vacated the site with his equipment.
Ladies and gentlemen, no wonder our Member of Parliament was ranked 273rd in terms of performance. This is an MP whose road to his residence is untarred. An MP who is not visible in the Constituency. We need a better representation in Parliament.
Ladies and gentlemen, Oforikrom deserves better. We need to have our fair share of the National Cake. Honourable MP, Honourable MCE…
#Fix our bridges
#Fix our roads
#Fix our traffic lights
#Complete our projects
#ix our street lights
#Stop the intimidations
#We need development
#Oforikrom deserves
Ladies and gentlemen, we are tired of the intimidations that our people have suffered over the years and it is time to legitimately resist such intimidations.
Ladies and gentlemen, we want to add our voices to the debt exchange programme announced by the Akufo Addo’s government. The programme is a broad day thievery and cruel to the innocent Ghanaian whose lifetime investment has been affected by the so called exchange programme.
We call on all discerning Ghanaians to reject it. We cannot suffer the mess created by a President who prefers to bath in the air with the tax payers’ money.
Arise! Arise! Arise Ghana youth and demand what is legitimately yours.
Thank you for coming!
Jerry James Sukah
(Convener)
Joshua Kwame Fugah
(Convener)
