The New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Yilo Krobo constituency has taken a swipe at the Eastern Regional Minister, Hon. Rita Akosua Awatey, accusing her of using her office as a “propaganda wing” for the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC).
In a press release dated May 28, 2026, the party cautioned the Minister to be “measured and circumspect” in her public comments regarding development projects in the Eastern Region.
According to the statement, the Regional Minister has consistently spoken as though development in the Eastern Region only began under the previous NPP administration, while allegedly ignoring the fact that the NDC governed the country for a combined 27 years under former Presidents Jerry John Rawlings, John Evans Atta Mills, and John Dramani Mahama.
“The Minister often speaks as though the Eastern Region came into existence only eight years ago under the NPP administration,” the statement said, adding that if development challenges were as easy to solve as being portrayed, the NDC would have addressed them during its years in office.
Dispute Over Somanya-Kpong Road Project
A major portion of the NPP’s criticism centered on the Somanya-Kpong road project.
The party insisted that the project was awarded under the previous NPP government and that the contractor had already mobilized to site and commenced significant preparatory works, including drainage systems and culverts, before the change of government.
They accused the Regional Minister of initially claiming there was no contract covering the project, despite the road being included as part of an addendum to the Nkurakan-Trom road contract.
According to the NPP, the current administration deliberately delayed the execution of the project for political reasons, causing severe hardship for residents and commuters.
“As a result, commuters endured unbearable dust, traders and shop owners suffered severe disruptions to their businesses, and several residents were exposed to unhealthy environmental conditions,” the statement noted.
The party further alleged that some businesses along the stretch were forced to shut down due to the prolonged delay in completing the road works.
NPP Questions Quality of 2016 Road Overlay
The opposition party also took issue with the quality of road works allegedly undertaken by the NDC in 2016 on the same stretch.
According to them, the asphalt overlay carried out at the time was poorly executed and deteriorated within three weeks of completion.
They argued that a properly constructed asphalt road is generally expected to last between 10 and 15 years, suggesting that the rapid deterioration of the road necessitated the award of a fresh contract under the NPP administration.
“For the avoidance of doubt, both the Somanya-Kpong and Somanya-Asitey roads were awarded by the NPP government to General Construction Limited,” the statement stressed.
Call to Focus on Other Critical Roads
The Yilo Krobo NPP further urged the Eastern Regional Minister to concentrate on other deteriorating roads within the area instead of engaging in what it described as partisan politics.
The party mentioned roads including Sikabeng-Ehiamankyene, Huhunya-Tsotsunya, and Bosotwi-Yiwase, claiming they had already been assessed and prepared for award before the NPP left office.
Residents in these communities, the statement said, continue to suffer due to the deplorable nature of the roads and urgently require government intervention.
Controversy Over ISD Vans
The NPP also challenged comments allegedly made by the Minister during the commissioning of vehicles for the Information Services Department (ISD).
According to them, Hon. Rita Akosua Awatey claimed the vans were procured under the administration of President John Dramani Mahama.
However, the NPP maintained that official records show the vehicles were acquired during the tenure of the previous NPP government, describing the Minister’s remarks as misleading.
“Governance Is a Continuous Process”
While criticizing the Minister, the Yilo Krobo NPP said it wished her success in office but reminded her that the position of Regional Minister demands fairness, truthfulness, and service to all citizens regardless of political affiliation.
The statement emphasized that governance is a continuous process and argued that there is nothing wrong with successive governments completing projects started by previous administrations.
The party cited the completion and operationalization of several E-Block educational facilities by the NPP government, including the Apersua E-Block project, as an example of continuity in governance.
“We therefore urge the Minister to focus on delivering meaningful development to the people of the Eastern Region rather than engaging in needless partisan propaganda,” they maintained.
By 1960news.com
