From Issah Alhassan.
The Member of Parliament (MP) for Manhyia South, Dr. Mathew Opoku Prempeh, has expressed his displeasure at what he said was the taking over of the uncompleted Ashanti New Town Community Centre facility by some institutions and individuals without approval.
Some quasi-state agencies such as the Ghana Youth Employment and Entrepreneurial Agency (GYEEDA), the Leadership Enterprise and Skills Development Programme (LESDEP), and other private organisations have reportedly taken over the facility, which was initiated by the former Member of Parliament for Manhyia, Dr. Kwame Addo Kufuor, and now being funded by the incumbent MP.
The Manhyia South MP contends that it is unacceptable for any institution, be it government or private, to occupy the facility, which is still under construction, without going through the necessary procedures for approval.
Matthew Opoku Prempeh, aka Napo, has, therefore, parried rumours that made rounds in the media last week that he had locked the offices and prevented anyone from occupying them. The MP stated that he will not allow the building to be taken over by “squatters and encroachers”, pledging that he will ensure that the facility will be utilised for its intended purpose of construction.
According to him, the facility is a community-based initiative, and must not, therefore, be treated as an asset of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA). He argued that once the funding and other costs are being borne by him, as an MP, and wholly owned by the community, any attempts to take over the facility without the involvement of the local people must be rejected.
Reacting to the said allegations, Matthew Opoku Prempeh said he had, for the past few months, been outside the country, and could, therefore, not have been present to execute the action, which some assembly members were alleging. He, however, explained that he set up a committee to oversee the management of the facility, which is only about 50% complete, and ensure maximum returns on investments made so far. According to him, the decision was to ensure that some revenue could be generated for the upkeep and maintenance of the facility, stressing that issues about revenue and occupation of the facility were left in the hands of the committee, without his involvement.
Reports, however, indicate that some executives of the Manhyia Sub Metro had clandestinely rented the apartment, solely managed under the office of the MP for Manhyia South, without prior approval. At a press conference to express his concerns on Monday, Dr. Opoku Prempeh said his attention was drawn to the fact that some institutions were occupying the building without approval, after some people wrote to his office demanding an office for their personal business.
According to him, the letter he received had an attachment of a receipt of payment of cash from the Manhyia Sub-Metro, and this, he said, made him suspicious about how the facility was being managed. “I could not imagine how a facility, which is wholly being funded from the coffers of the MP, was being rented out without my approval. As for the accusation that I have locked the offices, you can see things for yourself that it is true,” he contended.
But the Manhyia Sub Metro Chairman, Alhaji Alhassan Bin, however, admits he was not aware that the facility did not belong to the KMA, until the revelation by the MP. Dr. Napo, however, said he would do everything within his power to ensure accountability for the revenues accrued from the facility.
He said he would consider involving external auditors, if need be, to ensure that the right thing is done, so that the community can benefit from the facility adequately. The MP also announced the setting up of new committee to oversee the operations of the facility.