From Marlvin-James Dadzie, Akropong, Ellembelle
The Chief of Akropong in the Ellembelle District of the Western Region, Nana Adu Kwaw II, who barely a year ago publicly predicted a one-touch victory for John Mahama in the 2020 general elections, is shifting from his earlier position.
Nana Adu Kwaw, a well-known supporter of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and a firm friend of Former President John Mahama, revealed on Monday that he is drifting towards the New Patriotic Party (NPP) following the developmental works the Nana Akufo Addo administration is undertaking in his community.
The Chief divulged this information when the District Chief Executive (DCE) for Ellembelle, Mr. Kwasi Bonzoh, visited him at his palace to officially introduce to him contractors who would be working on a 21-kilometer road that stretches from Asasetre through Akropong to Gwira Banso in the Ellembelle District.
Nana Adu Kwaw said he has been lobbying government especially the NDC administration for over 10 years to rehabilitate the road but his efforts yielded no fruits.
He was therefore thankful to Mr. Bonzoh for ensuring that the project has come to light.
“We thank the NPP government so much”, he said
“I’m the one who said Mahama is going to win the 2020 elections but the most important things we need now are exactly what the NPP is doing “, he said
“Now, I can say I’m half NPP and half NDC”, he added.
Nana Adu Kwaw said he would soon revise his position on the 2020 elections and make it known publicly but that would be after the fulfilment of a six unit classroom block promise the DCE had made to the community.
Mr. Bonzoh however quickly replied that all documentations for the classroom block have been completed and that he only needed a parcel of land from the chief for construction to commence, a response which erupted a spontaneous applause from the gathering.
The 21-Kilometer road, which is a feeder road, has been segmented into three phases with each phase comprising seven kilometers.
Three contractors- one for each phase- would have one year to complete the project. The execution of the three phases would run simultaneously.
The Western Regional Manager of Feeder Roads, Mr. Felix Bakobie, handed over possession of site documentations to the contractors- Mashidons Enterprise Limited which would execute phase one, and Medmo Company Limited which would be handling phase two. Documentation for phase three is yet to be completed.
The project is being funded by COCOBOD as part of its Cocoa Roads Project.
It would be recalled that in April 2019, Nana Adu Kwaw II, hit headlines in the media when he predicted a one-touch victory for Former President and NDC Presidential Candidate, John Mahama, in the upcoming 2020 elections.
He made those comments when Mr. Mahama visited the Nzema East Traditionally Council as part of his tour of the Western Region.
Nana Adu Kwaw subsequently came under a barrage of criticisms from sections of the public who felt not only that the chief was meddling in politics but also peddling falsehood when he erroneously gave the sole credit to John Mahama for constructing the Atuabo Gas Processing Plant.
At the palace of Nana Adu Kwaw, Mr. Bonzoh who is also the NPP Parliamentary Candidate for Ellembelle, told the gathering that the Akufo Addo administration has shown unmatched commitment towards alleviating the plight of the people of Ellembelle.
“We talk less but we do what is most important for our people”, he said.
He recalled how the incumbent Member of Parliament (MP) for Ellembelle, Mr. Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah, who is a close friend of Nana Adu Kwaw, kept giving excuses when the chief impressed upon him for the rehabilitation of the road.
“Twelve years as an MP, Mr. Armah Kofi Buah couldn’t help construct a single kilometer on this stretch. I became the DCE barely three years ago and I’ve delivered”, said.
He said since he assumed office as the DCE, the NPP government has undertaken a total of 198 kilometers of roads in the Ellembelle district alone.
He therefore urged the people to support the government to enable it deliver on all of its promises.
Mr. Bonzoh would be leading the NPP as its Parliamentary Candidate for Ellembelle for the third time in the 2020 elections.
He managed to close a vote difference between him and Mr. Armah Kofi Buah from over 8,000 votes in 2012 to about 2,000 in the2016 elections.
