The Member of Parliament for Shai Osudoku constituency, Linda Obenewa Akweley Ocloo has launched campaign to seek re-election as 2024 parliamentary candidate for the opposition National Democratic Congress NDC in the Constituency.
The MP is facing stiff contest by her successor David Tetteh Assumeng who served as MP for the constituency from 2005 to January 6, 2017, and Dr. Micheal Kpessah White,a Senior Lecturer and former Executive Director of National Service Scheme also a former presidential staffer who lost in previous primaries.
Hon. Linda Ocloo hailed by minority leadership as one of the few distinguished female lawmakers in the 8th parliament of Ghana is however confident her third term bid is fortified on strength of her achievements even though in opposition, and according to established rotational convention between Shai and Osudoku people.
Launching her campaign after a successful vetting in Accra amid singing and drumming by hundreds of enthusiastic supporters, the MP stated that, “the account of my stewardship is highly evident before you and many of the things we planned, by the grace of God, have seen the light of the day”.
Detailing her achievements in health, education and rural development, Hon. Linda Akweley Ocloo said “we provided classroom infrastructure to many schools and lobbied the construction of a health facility at Odumse as well as supported the Agortor Clinic Project. Today, we have connected many communities to the national grid than never before under the rural electrification project”.
Hundreds of tertiary students she said continue to benefit from the MP’s academic year fee paying interventions.
The MP further touched on water and sanitation in accordance with the SDGs, t explaining that,”We have extended water facilities to communities. Few days ago, I lobbied an NGO to sink boreholes in communities without access to the services of the Ghana Water Company Limited. I also lobbied many Water Closet facilities to communities in the Constituency. We have recently commissioned the Djabletey Water Closet Toilet facility. Fellow Party Members, these are key aspects of our success.”
She added “We have to lobby, and ensure that it’s done, for the construction of toilet facilities at Wedokum, Salem, Doryumu, Asutsuare Junction and Apperkon. I have already commenced discussions for the possible start of the Salem Water Closet Project under the Health Fund. Last year, I worked very hard on the Sota and Asebi Water Projects. Unfortunately, the discussions were unsuccessful because of the financial outlay that was required. This year, by the grace of God, we will resume the negotiations and ensure that we achieved the best for communities along that stretch”.
In terms of job creation and opportunities, the MP said “in recent recruitment into the security services, I worked extensively to lobby the intake of many of our members. As we speak now, many people have gone into the Prisons, Police, Military and Immigration Services.”
The MP acknowledged many challenges in the Constituency but says will continue to use her share if the common fund to address them as she impresses on central government to take up capital internsive projects such as construction of deplorable roads in the constituency.
“I have raised the poor states of our roads on the floor of Parliament. The Minister for Roads assured me of government’s efforts to work on the roads. Doryumu Junction – Ayikuma has been awarded likewise, Agortor – Osuwem road also awarded. The Asutsuare – Aveyime road is part of the Eastern Corridor Roads earmarked for implementation. Meanwhile, permit me to thank Golden Exotics Limited for completing the first phase of the spot improvement. In due course, I shall join Golden Exotics Limited for a unique partnership with the necessary support that is required to finish the other phases” she said.
“I am also mindful that, Ningokope, Lorlorvor, Fevlokope, Dedenya and Fiakonya are in serious need of water facilities. We shall deliver on these.
We are also working very hard to complete some of the rural electrification projects. As we speak now, the contractor is aggressively working at Narhkope in Natriku. We will complete the Gozakope, Nyapienya, Dedenya, and Manya Jorpanya projects which are all similar to the Natriku project. I am aware of the developing areas which require extension of electricity. The Osuwem and specially the Adaam areas require more attention for the extension of electricity. These are efforts we have worked on before and can work on again”.
On economic empowerment Hon.Linda Akweley Ocloo said “we are also mindful of the promise we made to the people of Doryumu. We will reconstruct the Doryumu Market to uplift it into the modern and appreciable peri-urban market status. We will complete the Abuviekpong Classroom Block Project including the construction of the Teacher’s Bungalow at Huapa. We are also working hard to lobby the District Assembly to work on the Tokpo CHPS Compound”.
The MP mentioned that, she provided befitting constituency office for the party to facilitate administrative activities of the party.
Hon. Linda Ocloo who succeeded her late husband as candidate in 2016, charged members of the party and delegates to continue to have confidence in her hoping that under the next John Dramani Mahama led NDC government ,a lot more developmental projects will executed in the Constituency.
Shai Osudoku constituency is stronghold of the NDC. In 2020 parliamentary election, Hon.Linda Akweley Ocloo polled 32,517 votes representing 67.16 while the NPP candidate Benjamin Nargeh had 15,900 which 15,900 votes.
In the presidential election, John Dramani Mahama secured 34,555(72.14%) against 12,920(26.97%).
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/103.5FM/Kojo Ansah
