Member of Parliament for Bantama Constituency, Francis Asenso Boakye, has firmly denied claims that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government abandoned projects initiated by previous administrations during its eight-year tenure.
In an interview on the talk show Bresosem with Kojo Marfo on Abusua FM, Mr. Asenso Boakye was referenced to a letter he had written to President John Dramani Mahama. The letter argued insisting that the new Accra-Kumasi Express Road project should be abandoned, allowing ongoing road development efforts such as the highway dualisation to continue uninterrupted.
Mr. Boakye grounded his argument on the Constitution’s Chapter 6, Articles 34 to 41, which outline the directive principles of state policy, emphasizing a government’s responsibility to complete inherited projects.
When asked about his awareness of this constitutional obligation while his party was in government, he responded confidently, “Oh yes, I was aware. Why are you asking that question?”
The host pointed out that the NPP government had inherited numerous projects, especially in the Ashanti Region, including several hospital projects initiated by the previous administration.
Mr. Asenso Boakye acknowledged the issue but attributed delays or halts largely to financial constraints rather than neglect.
He said, “Maybe there were funding issues. There’s a financial constraint so let’s understand that. But to say the NPP government abandoned past government projects is not true.”
He cautioned against mixing unrelated issues during the discussion, stating, “Please let’s concentrate on the express road project you invited me to discuss, don’t bring in other matters.”
He explained that every project has unique complexities and funding dynamics that can cause delays, insisting that the NPP did not intentionally leave hospital projects or others incomplete.
The host reiterated his point, noting that the directive principles had been brought up by Mr. Boakye himself in his letter and sought clarity.
In response, Mr. Asenso Boakye said, “If you say some hospitals started by the NDC were not continued, I don’t know which hospitals you mean. I maintain that if a project stalled, it’s often due to funding arrangements, not deliberate abandonment by the NPP government.”
Challenging the host to name specific projects allegedly abandoned, Kojo Marfo cited Sewua and Afari hospitals. Mr. Asenso Boakye interrupted, stating, “Wait a minute, take your time. The Afari hospital project, for example, was continued. I was personally involved in it while at Jubilee House.”
Source: www.Kumasimail.com
