A member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP)’s Communications Team in the Upper East Region, Edmund Awuni, has challenged the region’s 15 Members of Parliament to intensify their efforts and collaborate to attract development projects to the area, calling out on electorates to keep demanding accountability from their MPs until results are established.
He believes MPs must take a more proactive approach to lobbying for development, insisting that the region’s relatively slow pace of development requires stronger commitment and consistent advocacy from its political representatives.
Speaking on A1 Radio, Mr Awuni described politicians as key figures who must be willing to withstand public pressure and respond to the developmental concerns of their constituents. “Let us give them the sleepless nights, let them do the needful, and we will hail them when they do it.”
He expressed concern about the development gap between the Upper East and Upper West regions, observing that although the Upper West Region was carved out of the former Upper Region, it appears to have made greater strides in development.
He attributed the situation partly to the level of commitment and advocacy demonstrated by political representatives in competing for development opportunities.
Mr Awuni argued that development projects are often secured through deliberate efforts by political leaders to position their constituencies for government interventions and external support, rather than simply waiting for projects to be allocated.
“I believe the best politics is, when you are outside Africa, fight for Africa. When you come to Africa, fight for Ghana. And when you come to Ghana, fight for your region. When you come to your region, fight for your constituency. That is the best politics you can do.”
He urged the region’s 15 MPs to work together to advance the collective development interests of the Upper East Region. He also called on MPs to strengthen their engagement with constituents through regular town hall meetings and other community interactions. According to him, such engagements do not require substantial financial resources, as MPs can organise simple meetings to listen to the concerns of residents and discuss issues affecting their communities.
Mr Awuni further encouraged MPs to remain accessible to the people they represent, listen to their concerns and consistently advocate for their needs. “You represent the people. Their voices matter. Listen to them, engage them as often as you can,” he stressed.
He maintained that the success of individual constituencies would contribute to the broader development of the Upper East Region and Ghana as a whole.
Source: Bolgafmonline.com| 102.7 MHz| Gifty Eyram Kudiabor| Bolgatanga
