W/R:Joana Gyan Cudjoe Calls for Unity, Rejects Social Media Misinformation Over Amenfi Central Development

 

Member of Parliament for Amenfi Central, Hon. Joana Gyan Cudjoe, has called on residents to disregard unverified allegations circulating on social media and instead focus on the development needs of the constituency.

According to her, the numerous development challenges confronting Amenfi Central, including poor roads, inadequate healthcare and educational infrastructure, unreliable electricity, limited internet connectivity, water shortages and unemployment, have accumulated over several decades and cannot realistically be resolved within a single year.

Hon. Joana Gyan Cudjoe said although she has been in Parliament for only about a year, she accepts responsibility for working with residents, government agencies, development partners and the private sector to address the challenges.

She cited interventions and initiatives undertaken during her first year in office, including support for more than 300 graduates and non-graduates, educational initiatives, assistance to students, support for women, farmers and businesses, medical assistance, and efforts towards electricity, water, CHPS compounds and other community projects.

The MP identified roads, telecommunications and internet connectivity, electricity, healthcare and education as the five most urgent areas requiring attention.

She said the constituency also needs improved access to government institutions and services, including the Lands Commission, Minerals Commission, Environmental Protection Authority, Ghana Revenue Authority, Forestry Commission, Police Service, Fire Service, National Ambulance Service, DVLA and relevant agricultural and health institutions.

Hon. Joana Gyan Cudjoe further called for improved accommodation and logistics for teachers, health professionals, police officers and other essential workers, arguing that adequate working and living conditions are necessary to attract and retain qualified personnel in the constituency.

On education, she said development must go beyond constructing classrooms to include qualified teachers, libraries, laboratories, ICT facilities, internet connectivity, electricity, water, sanitation, teaching materials, staff accommodation and student hostels.

She also advocated long-term investment in healthcare infrastructure, equipment, medical personnel, staff accommodation and emergency services, including the possibility of establishing or upgrading several strategically located major health facilities.

The MP said Amenfi Central's natural resources, including gold, cocoa, rubber and agricultural land, must be managed responsibly to generate jobs, investment and sustainable development while protecting the environment.

She appealed to banks, private investors, NGOs, development partners, telecommunications companies, mining and agricultural companies, universities, healthcare organisations and members of the diaspora to partner with the constituency in its development agenda.

Hon. Joana Gyan Cudjoe proposed the development of a 13-to-20-year development roadmap for Amenfi Central, with clearly defined short-, medium- and long-term targets.

She stressed, however, that the proposed roadmap would not mean waiting decades for development, but rather establishing annual and four-year targets against which progress could be measured.

The MP also called for political unity, saying development should not be determined by whether a resident supports the NDC or NPP.

She urged residents to channel their energies towards addressing common challenges such as poor roads, inadequate electricity, unemployment, limited healthcare and educational opportunities instead of engaging in political divisions and social media attacks.

Hon. Joana Gyan Cudjoe said she welcomes constructive criticism and accountability but urged residents to verify allegations before sharing them on social media.

She maintained that her administration's response to misinformation would be facts and evidence, while its response to decades of underdevelopment would be planning, infrastructure, investment, institutional development and partnerships.

The MP concluded by appealing to residents to contribute ideas, identify potential investors and development partners, and work collectively towards building a stronger Amenfi Central for current and future generations.If you want, I can also turn this into a shorter radio news script with a strong headline and intro/cue-in suitable for Oyerepa TV/FM-style broadcast.

Credit: Nana Kwasi Asare