The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has disclosed that the the Member of Parliament (MP) for the Yapei-Kusawgu Constituency, Hon John Abdulai Jinapor has connected almost 100 communities to the national grid whilst serving as Deputy Minister.

A statement signed by the NDC Communication Officer Mr Malik Basintale on 26th August, 2022, in response to some statements President Akufo-Addo made when he was speaking at Yapei in the Central Gonja District of the Savannah region during the second of his official visit to the Savannah Region on 25th August, 2022.

Speaking at Yapei, President Akufo Addo said in his life time, the Yapei-Kusawgu constituency produced two MP’s in the persons of Alhaji Amadu Seidu, who he described as his former colleague in Parliament and Hon John Jinapor who was the Deputy Minister of Energy and that it is surprising that about 17 communities in the constituency are still not connected to the national grid.

But the NDC Communication Officer for the Savannah Region Mr Malik Basintale said; “Hon John Abdulai Jinapor took over as Deputy Minister for Power, the Yapei-Kusawgu Constituency had only 4 towns connected to the national grid (i.e. Buipe, Yapei, Sankpala and Kusawgu).

He added “we therefore find it most unfortunate for President Akufo-Addo to unjustifiably attack the Member of Parliament because in his own words there are some 17 communities yet to be connected to the national grid, we can boldly say we are proud of what we have done so far and willing to do more in the next NDC Government”.

Malik Basintale further said “it is as a result of the above and many other connections that, the NDC increased the national access to electricity from about 50% to over 83% and this can be found in the 2017 budget (Paragraph 463) Under rural electrification”.

He stated; “For the avoidance of doubt, a total of 1,212 communities were connected to the national
grid”

The NDC said it is shameful to note that, with all the petty and boastful talks at the Yapei-Wura’s palace, President Akufo-Addo’s
government in over 5 years have just increased electricity access by a paltry 3% not even close to what Hon John Jinapor has done in the Yapei-Kusawgu Constituency alone.

“For the avoidance of doubt, this can be found in (Paragraph 810) of the 2022 budget statement”; he said.

On major achievements of the NDC in the Yapei-Kusawgu Constituency Malik listed the Buipe Senior High School the Buipe Senior Technical School and the Mpaha Denior High secondary school (E-Block).

Others projects the NDC listed include the 85- bed Buipe district hospital, the Datoyili -buipe road rehabilitation, the Buipe Sheanut factory, the buipe cement company and the Ntereso Water Project.

According to the NDC prior to the 2016 and 2020 elections President Akufo-Addo promised the people of Yapei-Kusawgu of constructing a new secondary school and carving a new district out of the current Central Gonja District if voted into power. “What has become of these promises and what happened to the piece of land that was given by the Kusawgu-wura for that purpose?”; Malik Basintale asked.

He added; “President Akufo-Addo also promised the people of Yapei-Kusawgu a brand new factory, warehouse, Dams and also the construction of some connecting roads within the constituency. How far with that and why are the abandoned projects still stalled Mr. President?”

The NDC stated; “It is now clear that, the Akufo-Addo – Bawumia led Government has lost absolute focus and we the good people of the Savannah region demand nothing but an unqualified apology from President Akufo-Addo, Bawumia and the NPP for their neglect and Failed Promises to the Savannah region.

“With the facts available to me and relying on historical deceptions of Akufo-Addo and Bawumia, I challenge the NPP that if the so-called promised Kusawgu Industrial park sees the light of the day before 2024, I will gladly walk naked on the streets of Kusawgu for 48hours without food and water. it is a scam and a 419 Promise”; Malik Basintale challenged.

Source: nkilgifmonline.com