Audio Attachment:Listen to Samuel Ofosu Ampofo and Kwamena Duncan On Peace FM's 'kokrokoo' |
There was a heated debate in the studios of Peace FM during the station's flagship programme Kokrokoo between two political heavyweights from the opposite side of the political divide, slugged it out over whose purview the actual development of a region lies; that of the Regional Coordinating Council, the Regional Minister or National.
It all started when Former Eastern Regional Minister and Vice National Chairman of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Samuel Ofosu Ampofo challenged the incumbent Central Regional Minister, Hon. Kwamena Duncan for failing to revive the Komenda Sugar Factory and also effect any significant developmental projects in the Region.
According to him, the welfare and entire development of the Region lies within the power of Kwamena Duncan and so wondered why he is unconcerned about getting the defunct factory to function properly.
Speaking to host Kwami Sefa Kayi on Peace FM's Kokrokoo, he also questioned the Regional Minister's commitment to improving the lives of the residents and the Region at large.
“Everything about Central Region in terms of its development, the Regional Coordinating Council is what you’re chairing. And the Regional Coordinating Council is made up of the municipal, metropolitan municipal and district assemblies who are charged with the day to day development of the Region; so if you don’t know that that is your job, then you don’t know what you’re doing”, he said.
But his seemingly counsel failed to rest well with Hon. Kwamena Duncan as he wouldn't accept it in good faith.
In a quick reply on the same platform, Hon. Duncan stressed that he has the welfare and development of his Region at heart but explained that it doesn't entirely lie with him to ensure the kind of development that Mr. Ofosu Ampofo is pointing out.
He noted that the Regional Coordinating Council is not in charge of Regional development and so believed the NDC Vice National Chairman lacks requisite knowledge in such area.
“I’m sure as Regional Minister, you never understood it. Development of the Region, development of the district is not one that is solely on the doorstep of the district assemblies. In fact, national does national development. The district has a certain portion to do some other development. So, if that as a Coordinating Council, you think we’re solely charged to ensure development of the Region; you’re totally wrong. I’m sure when you sat there as a Regional Minister, you didn’t understand your mandate”.
Mr. Ofosu Ampofo also bantered saying he has 20 years of experience in national governance and so if Kwamena Duncan calls himself a "Regional Minister and say the overall development of the Region is not your responsibility, then I don’t know why you’re there”.
It took the host Kwami Sefa Kayi to intervene to calm down tempers as the two wouldn't agree to disagree.
Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana
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