A concerned constituent and member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Akyem Swedru Constituency of the Eastern Region, Nana Ofosu Afrifa, has criticised the Member of Parliament (MP) for the area, Kennedy Osei Nyarko, over what he describes as inadequate support for constituents, particularly students.
Nana Ofosu Afrifa’s criticism follows the reported distribution of about 5,000 exercise books to 33 schools across the constituency as students prepare to enter Senior High School (SHS).
According to him, the intervention does not match the level of support he expects from a legislator who has served four terms in Parliament, arguing that the MP should be doing more to address the educational and developmental needs of constituents.
Nana Ofosu Afrifa said his concerns are based on what he described as years of observing the MP’s approach to constituency representation.
He also alleged that some constituents are reluctant to openly express their views about the MP’s performance for fear of being attacked, personalised or labelled as political enemies.
“My considered views in this regard, I believe, resonate so greatly with the greater majority of people within the constituency who either fear of being attacked, personalised, or be seen as an enemy of the MP as has been the case whenever you disagree with him or express your opinion,” he stated.
Nana Ofosu Afrifa questioned the scale and impact of the MP’s latest educational intervention, particularly the reported distribution of approximately 5,000 books to 33 schools.
Based on the figures, he calculated that each school would receive an average of about 151 books.
He argued that the allocation would have limited impact in schools with relatively large student populations and questioned why the exercise should be presented as a major achievement.
“This year, just yesterday, when another cycle for students to enter SHS is open, he takes supposedly 5,000 books to about 33 schools in the district to share, which on average, a school is getting 151 books,” he said.
For Nana Ofosu Afrifa, the issue is not simply about the distribution of books but whether constituency interventions are sufficiently broad and impactful to address the needs of residents.
He therefore urged the MP to consider more comprehensive educational support for students rather than what he described as limited interventions.
Nana Ofosu Afrifa also drew a comparison between the support he said was being provided to students in Akyem Swedru and interventions by the MP for neighbouring Akyem Oda, Alexander Akwasi Acquah.
He claimed that the Akyem Oda MP had provided support for more than 1,000 BECE candidates entering SHS, including trunks, books, mattresses and financial assistance.
“In Akyem Oda, Hon. Kwasi Acquah provides for 1,000+ BECE students entering SHS with trunks, books, mattresses and financial support,” Nana Ofosu Afrifa stated.
He questioned why a fourth-term MP could not undertake similar or larger interventions, particularly when, according to him, MPs with fewer terms in Parliament are providing extensive support to their constituents.
He said the comparison is intended to highlight the different approaches to constituency representation and the level of direct assistance that could be provided to students.
Nana Ofosu Afrifa also raised concerns about other interventions he attributed to the Akyem Swedru MP.
He cited what he described as the distribution of one cup of rice, one tin of fish and cooking oil to constituents in December 2025.
While acknowledging that such items could provide temporary assistance, he questioned whether the intervention is sufficient to address the broader needs of constituents.
He also referred to the reported presentation of 50 desks to the District Education Office, arguing that the scale of such interventions should be assessed against the needs of the constituency.
According to him, constituency representation should not be measured solely by the number of activities undertaken or publicised, but by the tangible and sustainable impact of those interventions.
Beyond constituency development, Nana Ofosu Afrifa also questioned what he described as the MP’s visibility in parliamentary debates.
He alleged that despite having served four terms, Kennedy Osei Nyarko had not been sufficiently visible in parliamentary debates and proceedings.
He contrasted this with the parliamentary activities of MPs such as former Education Minister and Ofoase-Ayirebi MP Kojo Oppong Nkrumah and Dr Gideon Boako, whom he cited as examples of legislators whose contributions he considers more visible.
Nana Ofosu Afrifa argued that longevity in Parliament should translate into both effective representation on the floor of the House and tangible development at the constituency level.
The NPP member further called on constituents to take a greater interest in monitoring the activities of their MP.
He argued that insufficient public scrutiny could allow elected representatives to operate without adequate accountability.
“The lack of interest by the people to monitor the activities of the MP is emboldening him to take the constituency and the constituents for granted,” he stated.
He urged residents to examine constituency interventions based on their scale, relevance and impact rather than simply celebrating them because they have been announced or publicised.
Nana Ofosu Afrifa also took issue with what he alleged are comments by the MP portraying constituents as primarily interested in drinking and the sharing of alcoholic beverages.
He described such an alleged perception as disrespectful to residents, insisting that constituents should be treated with dignity and allowed to express divergent opinions without being branded as enemies.
He maintained that Akyem Swedru has a significant number of educated residents who, in his view, are capable of critically assessing the performance of their elected representatives.
Nana Ofosu Afrifa urged the MP to reconsider his approach to constituency representation and focus on interventions that deliver measurable and sustainable benefits.
He described what he termed the MP’s “mafia tactics and approach” as outdated and warned that constituents are increasingly demanding greater accountability.
“You must be waking up from your thinking that you can continue to play with the minds of the people in Akyem Swedru Constituency,” he said.
The statement was signed off as coming from “the corridors of Oduraa” and included a reference to the 2025 table distribution.
The claims and criticisms contained in the statement represent the views of Nana Ofosu Afrifa as a constituent and NPP member.
By 1960news.com
