Popular broadcaster with TV XYZ, Oheneba Boamah Bennie, has come under criticism following comments he made about the development record of Akyem Oda Member of Parliament, Alexander Akwasi Acquah.
In a viral political commentary on his “Gumbe Show,” the outspoken National Democratic Congress (NDC) commentator alleged that the Akyem Oda lawmaker had no notable achievements in the constituency.
According to Oheneba Boamah, the MP failed to initiate any major development projects in the area and instead chose to establish his private hospital facility at Ashongman Estate in Accra rather than in Akyem Oda.
“If you go to Akyem Oda and its environs, Akwasi Acquah doesn’t have a single achievement to show,” the broadcaster reportedly stated in the viral video.
However, supporters of the MP and some residents have dismissed the claims as inaccurate and misleading, citing several projects undertaken by the legislator across the constituency.
Since assuming office, Mr. Acquah has been associated with a number of community development initiatives focused on healthcare, education, sanitation, and social welfare.
The MP has reportedly commissioned classroom blocks, dormitories, and sanitation facilities in schools including Attafuah Senior High School and several basic schools within the Birim Central Municipality.
Through the Alexander Akwasi Acquah Foundation, he has also supported the construction of clinics, hospital wards, and water projects in communities such as Akyem Aboabo.
Contrary to claims that he failed to establish a hospital in Akyem Oda, information available indicates that Mr. Acquah, who is Chief Executive Officer of the Community Hospital Group, established a branch of the hospital in Akyem Oda in 2012 before becoming a Member of Parliament.
The facility’s plaque was unveiled on July 1, 2012, by former Eastern Regional Minister Emmanuel Victor Smith.
Before entering Parliament, Mr. Acquah had reportedly established six hospitals and three mortuaries across the country, an achievement that drew admiration from both Minority and Majority members of Parliament during his vetting before the Appointments Committee for the position of Deputy Minister of Health.
Sources close to the MP maintain that his role in Parliament has rather enhanced his expansion drive, as he continues to partner with financial institutions to establish additional healthcare facilities across the country.
The MP has since expanded similar healthcare facilities nationwide as part of efforts to complement government healthcare delivery.
Mr. Acquah, who won the Akyem Oda parliamentary seat in the 2020 general elections with 25,380 votes representing 79.45 percent of total valid votes cast, has earned the nickname “Game Changer” among some constituents due to his development initiatives.
Reacting to the viral video on Facebook, the MP questioned the credibility of Oheneba Boamah and accused some politically aligned broadcasters of making unverified allegations against opponents.
“Thank God for brothers like FLIP who will keep videos like this for all these years to help tell a story. So you see how these NDC broadcasters will tell lies on their platform. How credible is this guy?” he wrote.
By 1960news.com
