The Member of Parliament for Atwima Mponua constituency in the Ashanti Region, Honourable Seth Osei Akoto, has called on President John Dramani Mahama, as well as the Ashanti Regional Minister, Frank Amoakohene, to reconsider their decision to relocate all District Road Improvement Programme (DRIP) Machines from Nyinahin to the Regional Coordinating Council.
Speaking during his thanksgiving tour of The Church of Pentecost, Presbyterian Church of Ghana, Roman Catholic, Methodist and Assemblies of God Church on Sunday, 2nd March 2025, he expressed his discontentment with the development, stating that the machines have brought massive improvement in the state of roads in the district.
According to him, aside from Nyinahin, Mpasatia, Kwanfinfin, and Kotokrom, all 534 communities in the area have terrible roads; hence, the need for the equipment to repair them.
He opined that the complete deterioration of roads would have adverse effect on agricultural productivity, as most farmers would be unable to convey their produce to the market for sale.
He has, therefore, commended the traditional rulers and opinion leaders for standing up against the unpleasant directive.
Meanwhile, the Presiding Member for Atwima Mponua District, Honourable Justice Nkrumah Boateng, has vowed to prevent the relocation of the machines from the district.
Speaking in an interview, he noted that upon receipt of the notice, the traditional authorities held a press conference and subsequently tendered a petition to the Office of Ashanti Regional Minister.
He has therefore cautioned that while the district awaits an official response to the request, its citizens would fiercely resist any attempt to move the machines.
According to him, the machines are currently under heavy watch. He noted that the district’s only fire tender was once taken away but never returned.
