Member of Parliament for Assin Central, Kennedy Agyapong, has expressed concerns regarding the potential misuse of resources allocated under President Akufo-Addo’s District Road Improvement Program (DRIP).
Mr Agyapong fears that without a shift in the mindset of local officials, the initiative—which aims to provide Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) with resources and equipment for road rehabilitation and maintenance may fall short of its goals.
In an interview with Oman FM on August 1, 2024, Agyapong commended President Akufo-Addo, Vice President, and the NPP for the initiative but voiced concerns about how the equipment will be managed.
“Let me commend President Nana Addo, the Vice President, and the NPP, but my worry is, now that the machines have been given to the assembly, what measures are they also taking to keep them?
“The level of dishonesty in this country is such that they will use this to do politics even though it has been given to them to benefit Ghanaians.
“The good intentions that President Akufo-Addo had for this project, whether Mahama wins or Bawumia, if the assembly workers, members, DCEs, MCEs, presiding members, and members of the assembly don’t have a change of mind and continue with this dirty mindset, the money involved in all this will be wasted.
Mr Agyapong criticized the lack of commitment from some MMDAs, suggesting that the provided machinery—over 2,240 units for road construction—might be exploited for personal gain rather than public benefit.
He questioned the assemblies’ ability to sustain the project, asking how they plan to fund fuel and maintenance for the equipment.
Despite acknowledging the positive aspect of seeing the machinery at Independence Square, Mr Agyapong remained skeptical about the practical and ethical management of the resources.
“Some members and those who will use it to work will also do so for their own benefit alone. They do not have any love for the country.
“I saw the machines at Independence Square, which was nice, but for them to take proper care of it is my big question. I want to ask, for the assembly, of all these machines, how are they going to get the money and buy fuel to construct the roads?
What vision do DCEs, MCEs, and the assembly have to fuel those machines and use them to work? Most of the assemblies are not creative.,” he added.
