It is said it doesn’t take too long for a year to elapse but, not all people are lucky to always see a new year.
6th January, 2022 is exactly a year Dr. Kwamena Minta Nyarku was sworn in as a first time Member of Parliament for Cape Coast North Constituency.
In a conversation with this reporter, he said “my one year experience in Parliament has been a learning curve and a different work ethic. I find nothing too strange about Parliamentary work especially when you are conversant with the Constitution of Ghana and the standing orders governing the house, except that it’s a different working environment with varying time schedules.”
He added, “It’s an opportunity to serve my Constituents and Country. One astonishing experience is that there is a lot of respect and camaraderie amongst all Members of Parliament regardless of political affiliation, which unfortunately the public don’t get to see. It’s so beautiful even at the committee level”.
He underscored the fact that the only difficulty he has about parliamentary business is compliance to time. “As an academic I’m very conscious about timing but, in parliament we can agree to sit at 10am or 2pm and end up sitting at 12 noon – 2pm, or 4 – 7pm, respectively. That is disturbing for me but I’m gradually getting used to it,” Ragga as he is affectionately called narrated.
When asked what he has been able to achieve so far for his constituents, he intimated that “A year ago I constructed a market shed at Abura market, provided 285 mono and dual desks to 18 basic schools, repaired 6 faulty boreholes at 4 communities, supported and raised funds to purchase of a phototherapy machine for the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital (CCTH)”.
He added that he has supported the construction of an ICT Centre and donated 70 bags of cement towards the refurbishment of Essuerkyir School and Library block, supported the Ghana National Fire Service at Pedu and UCC stations in Cape Coast and Elmina with financial support, Wellington boots, Air-condition and other items.
“I have also supported the construction of Round Palace bridge and road, distributed over 280 street lights, trained over 600 constituents in bio-digester construction, liquid soap, body cream, brown sugar production, supported musicians within my constituency, provided support for the Association of Muslims Chiefs, provided some financial support to the Ghana National Tailor and Dressmakers Association.”
In ending in what he has done so far within the last year, he intimated that “I’ve supported the construction of footbridge at Bessakrom and provided roofing sheets to support Kurowfofordo JHS 3 classroom block.
“Additionally, I’ve provided financial support and 20 mattresses to the Social Welfare Girl’s Vocational Training Centre, provided financial support to both Ebusua Dwarfs and Vipers Football Clubs, commissioned the Abura Police Station, amongst others”.
Responding to what he intends to do for his constituents in 2022, Dr. Minta Nyarku noted “I shall continue to support my people in whatever way possible within my strength and with God’s help. I would continue to work around the 3 pillars (Empowerment, Entrepreneurship, and Sustainable Development), to reduce poverty and improve livelihood”.
He stressed that, in parliament, he has previously presented some papers and questions. He has planned to present more statements on the floor of the house which are all geared towards the development of Cape Coast.
“I thank my constituents for the confidence reposed in me and this is what they’ve gotten in the first year for the change they voted for,” he ended.
Source: Modern Ghana
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