Ashanti Regional Minister Left Speechless On TV, Unable To Name 5 Major Projects By NPP In Region

Ashanti Regional Minister Left Speechless On TV, Unable To Name 5 Major Projects By NPP In Region

  • Ashanti Regional Minister Simon Osei-Mensah has been mocked for freezing during an interview
  • In the interview on Oyerepa TV, Simon Osei-Mensah struggled to list some projects by his government
  • The minister claimed the National Democratic Congress did not complete and commission any projects in the region between 2009 and 2017
  • A member of the NDC communicaitons team in the Ashanti Region, called the minister's claim false.

Ashanti Regional Minister Simon Osei-Mensah has been the subject of mockery online after being left speechless on live TV when trying to name significant infrastructure projects implemented by the Akufo-Addo administration in his region.

In the interview on Oyerepa TV on Monday, March 25, 2024, Osei-Mensah struggled to list some projects by his government.

Ashanti Regional Minister Simon Osei-Mensah left speechless on TV
Ashanti Regional Minister Simon Osei-Mensah (L). Source: Facebook/Francis Asenso-Boakye
Source: Getty Images

Although he managed to mention four projects, he froze for about 10 seconds afterwards.

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"I will name more than 50 projects. Come to my office,” he eventually told the journalist

Just before this, he said the NDC could not list 10 signature projects in the region that had been commissioned.

Between 2009 and 2017, he claimed the NDC did not complete a single health project in the Ashanti Region.

Ashanti NDC fires back at minister

Grace Afram, a member of the NDC communicaitons team in the Ashanti Region, called the minister claim false.

In an interview with YEN.com.gh, Afram cited parts of the Kejetia Market, Asawase Market the Mampong project as some of the projects that had been completed under the NDC.

She also said the minister's struggles to name projects under his own government were revealing.

"That should tell you that the NPP is built for lies and all that,” Afram stressed.

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She is confident the NDC will perform better in the Ashanti Region, which is a stronghold of the NPP.

She noted that the power challenges were a major reason the NDC will perform better in the 2024 election.

"When you go to Adum, everybody is using generators. They are fed up. They know they made a mistake by choosing NPP over NDC."

Criticism over development in Ashanti Region

Last year, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II criticised Ashanti Region Members of Parliament over the lack of development in the region.

The Asantehene was speaking at the launch of the 'Heal Komfo Anokye' project to raise money for the hospital.

Otumfuo Osei Tutu has targeted to raise $10 million for the Heal Komfo Anokye project.

The project, spearheaded by Otumfuo, is part of celebrating his 25th anniversary of ascending the Golden Stool.

Destoolings by the Asantehene

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YEN.com.gh reported that the Asantehene has previously taken action against traditional leaders for varying reasons.

In December 2023, he destooled Baffour Adugyemfuo Kumani, the chief of Kwapra, following allegations of double land sales and oath violations.

YEN.com.gh also reported that Otumfuo Osei Tutu II destooled the Chief of Adumoa in the Afigya Kwabre District of the Ashanti Region, citing involvement in multiple land disputes and violations of customary procedures.

In May 2023, the 96-year-old chief of Antoa, Nana Kwame Owusu Agyeman, was let go over unauthorised land sales and violating Asanteman's customs.

Source: YEN.com.gh

Authors:
Delali Adogla-Bessa avatar

Delali Adogla-Bessa (Current Affairs Editor) Delali Adogla-Bessa is a Current Affairs Editor with YEN.com.gh. Delali previously worked as a freelance journalist in Ghana and has over seven years of experience in media, primarily with Citi FM, Equal Times, Ubuntu Times. Delali also volunteers with the Ghana Institute of Language Literacy and Bible Translation, where he documents efforts to preserve local languages. He graduated from the University of Ghana in 2014 with a BA in Information Studies. Email: delali.adogla-bessa@yen.com.gh.