A group of Chiefs called Concerned Nananom at Shama in the Western Region has served notice to demonstrate through the principal streets of Shama on Thursday, June 22, 2023.
The demonstration is over what they term a wanton neglect by the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) of their roads and the Shama District Hospital.
Speaking to Kwame Malcolm on Radio 360 during the Y3nsom Morning show, the chief of Nyankrom, a suburb of Shama , Nana Akosua Gyamfiaba II who is also the leader of the Concerned Nananom group , lamented about how almost the 7 years tenure of the ruling NPP government, Shama has been deliberately shortchanged of development.
“…our roads are so bad that a 49 year old woman who over 20 years has been looking for child got pregnant and when she was being rushed to the hospital in a car she lost the baby due to the bad nature of the Shama Junction to Shama Town Road”, the Nyankrom Chief narrated.
Explaining and pleading with the chiefs, the Member of Parliament for Shama, Hon Ericsson Abeka hinted that a contractor will soon be on site.
“…we all know the road was awarded to a contractor who was unable to execute the contract. So plans are almost complete for a more resourceful contractor to execute the contract soon. We do not have to cry over spilt milk. I am pleading with my Chiefs that the road will be tackled by the Nana Akufo-Addo led NPP government. The MP’s performance is measured in Parliament so this development cannot be used to assess my performance. I plead with my Chiefs so we exercise restraint and put the demonstration on hold” the Shama legislator pleaded.
In a counter response, the Chief of Nyankrom, Nana Gyamfiaba said all that the MP said is termed political talk and must be disregarded.
“Well, MP, all you are saying will be entirely disregarded, we are getting to eight years of the NPP tenure. Shama has been neglected such that even the year of roads that was declared, we have nothing to show.
“You are talking of the upgrading of the vocational school to a TVET institute and the construction of the sea defense; these, I have earlier conceded to in my submission. But you claim we must exercise patience, patience till when? Look at Kumawu and Assin North by-elections and the speed that their roads were constructed and are being constructed with all sorts of heavy duty machines on site. Why is Shama being treated like this? Do they want our MP to die before they marshal equipment to come and fix our roads? Maybe they want you to die, honorable!
“On Thursday June 22, no one should come and obstruct us. We will not tolerate anyone, we have been taken for granted for too long and this will not continue. We have been made ceremonial figures without being accorded any respect. Recently, a chief was unwell and could not rise for the National anthem, look at how the President addressed him and all? It is not the best so we the concerned Nananom are saying we will not appear at any public function and be taken for granted.” she fumed.
The Chief of Assorkor, Nana Brekrom II revealed that any contractor who will be brought to site will be made to swear by pouring libation to the ancestors by pledging to complete the contract as required since “we will not sit and be taken for granted again by any contractor.”
It can be recalled that three months ago during the working visit by the Western Regional Minister to Shama, the Chiefs registered their displeasure over failed promises by the Nana Akufo-Addo led government.
This resulted in the Regional minister requesting the Chiefs to look for a competent contractor to undertake the contract as they will desire, this request also got the Chiefs angry.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/103.5FM/Kwame Malcolm
