A concerned constituent and member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Akyem Swedru Constituency of the Eastern Region, Nana Ofosu Afrifa, has defended his criticism of the Member of Parliament (MP) for the area, Kennedy Osei Nyarko, insisting that his comments are driven by concerns over accountability, representation and development rather than personal hostility.
Mr Afrifa was responding to a statement by one Kwadwo Chief, who had accused him of hostility, insults, personal attacks and propaganda against the MP.
In his response, Mr Afrifa rejected the allegations and maintained that, as a constituent, he has every right to raise issues of public interest concerning an elected representative.
He said his criticisms should not automatically be interpreted as hatred or disrespect, stressing that he would also commend the MP whenever he believed his actions deserved praise.
“I don’t write to mesmerise anybody nor to serve any consideration, but to put out my issues as I believe should be, without offending the laws of the land,” Mr Afrifa stated.
According to him, Mr Nyarko, as a public servant elected by the people of the constituency, should be open to scrutiny and questions concerning his record and the use of resources meant to benefit constituents.
A significant part of Mr Afrifa’s response focused on what he described as inconsistencies in the MP’s date-of-birth records.
According to Mr Afrifa, he raised the issue in 2023 after relying on information published about the MP, including a report in the Daily Guide newspaper.
He claimed that parliamentary records from the 5th, 6th and 7th Parliaments indicated October 2, 1979, as Mr Nyarko’s date of birth, while another record subsequently reflected April 2, 1979.
Mr Afrifa questioned why different dates appeared in the records and called for clarity on the matter.
He said his intention is not to insult or attack the MP but to seek an explanation concerning information contained in the public records of an elected Member of Parliament.
“I therefore do not know if that is what you consider as an attack, hate or insult,” he said.
He further questioned what had led to the changes in the records and whether there is a satisfactory explanation for the different dates associated with the MP.
Mr Afrifa maintained that until the matter is properly clarified, constituents are entitled to continue asking questions about the discrepancy.
Mr Afrifa also rejected the argument that comparing the performance of the Akyem Swedru MP with that of other MPs is inappropriate.
He argued that constituents has the right to observe what elected representatives in other constituencies are doing and assess whether similar interventions could address needs in Akyem Swedru.
He particularly questioned the scale of support provided to constituents during the festive period, contrasting what he described as the MP’s distribution of basic food items with initiatives undertaken by other legislators.
According to him, the fact that other MPs may adopt different approaches to serving their constituents should not make comparisons illegitimate.
He questioned why constituents should not expect their MP, who has served several terms in Parliament, to demonstrate a level of engagement and support that residents can identify and appreciate.
Mr Afrifa also referred to a reported distribution of rice, tinned fish and cooking oil to constituents, questioning whether such gestures are sufficient to address the needs of the people.
He further alleged that some constituency executives received larger quantities of rice during the same period.
Responding to the assertion that Mr Nyarko is under no obligation to replicate what other MPs are doing, Mr Afrifa said the argument missed the central issue.
He explained that his concern is not that the MP should copy every initiative undertaken by other legislators, but that constituents should be able to see meaningful interventions that respond to their needs.
He argued that parliamentary representation carries responsibilities beyond attending Parliament and participating in legislative proceedings.
Mr Afrifa also raised concerns about what he described as longstanding questions surrounding the MP’s use of the Common Fund.
He questioned what he considered a lack of visible development in the constituency despite Mr Nyarko having served as MP since 2012.
According to him, Akyem Swedru is a relatively small constituency and should therefore be able to record visible development if available resources are properly utilised.
Mr Afrifa’s response also touched on an internal dispute over the leadership structure of the NPP in the constituency.
He disputed the legitimacy of certain individuals whom he said had been presented as constituency executives, describing their positions as “illegal” and “illegitimate”.
He alleged that the processes through which some individuals obtained their positions are flawed and accused some actors of contributing to what he described as a leadership crisis within the constituency.
He also questioned the role of Kwadwo Chief in the current constituency structure, particularly his movement from a patron position to another executive role.
Mr Afrifa argued that the development raises questions about the legitimacy of the current arrangements.
He further accused some individuals of working in concert with the MP, while suggesting that his position had changed after what he described as comments by Mr Nyarko on a radio station recognising individuals whose positions he disputes.
Throughout his response, Mr Afrifa maintained that his criticisms should be viewed within the broader context of accountability in public office.
He insisted that political loyalty should not prevent party members and constituents from questioning elected officials about matters they believe affect the constituency.
He also rejected the suggestion that his criticism amount to a personal campaign against Mr Nyarko, saying he remains prepared to acknowledge positive actions by the MP whenever he believed they deserved commendation.
Mr Afrifa reiterated that his central concern is the welfare and development of the people of Akyem Swedru.
He said disagreements over political leadership should not prevent constituents from demanding explanations concerning public records, development projects, representation and the use of resources intended to benefit the constituency.
The claims concerning Mr Nyarko’s parliamentary records, date of birth, Common Fund, NPP constituency leadership and alleged statements or actions are attributed to Nana Ofosu Afrifa and have not been independently verified from the material provided.
The MP and the other individuals referenced in Mr Afrifa’s response have not been quoted in this report. Their responses or clarifications would be reflected if and when they are made available.
By 1960news.com
