Central Tongu MP Faces Backlash Over Alleged Underperformance
- Some Central Tongu residents have accused their MP of lagging behind first-time legislators in delivering development
- Supporters argued that the MP’s numerous efforts, including fertiliser distribution, were being unfairly dismissed
- Meanwhile, MP Alexander Roosevelt Hottordze has attributed the challenges to opposition politics and internal sabotage
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The political landscape of Central Tongu is abuzz with discontent as some constituents voiced their frustrations over the perceived lack of development and underwhelming performance of their Member of Parliament (MP), Alexander Roosevelt Hottordze.
Source: Facebook
Despite being in his third term, some residents claimed the MP's contributions fell short, especially when compared to the visible efforts of even first-time MPs in other constituencies.
This growing sentiment has sparked a debate within the community, with supporters defending the MP's track record against accusations of inaction from his detractors.
Central Tongu residents air grievances about MP
Some residents of the area expressed disappointment, highlighting a perceived disparity between their MP's performance and that of his counterparts.
Michael, a concerned constituent, lamented the politician's alleged consistent excuse of being in opposition as a barrier to lobbying for development.
“Other [NDC] MPs had all been in opposition for the past eight years. But while in opposition, some were doing lots of good stuff for their constituents, but our MP, all you would hear him say was that they [NDC] were not in government and that it was difficult lobbying for things for the constituency,” Michael told YEN.com.gh.
Dodzi, a mason labourer, echoed this sentiment, drawing comparisons to the proactive efforts of newly elected MPs.
“Even first-time MPs are doing well for their people. Look at what an MP like Edem Agbana, a first-timer, is doing. So I ask myself, what at all is our MP doing in Parliament.”
These statements have reflected a growing impatience among some constituents, who believe their long-serving representative should be delivering more tangible results, regardless of political affiliation or political climate.
Central Tongu MP defends tenure, blames politics
Hottordze, the Central Tongu MP, offered a robust defense of his tenure, attributing perceived performance issues to systemic challenges faced by opposition MPs and internal political machinations.
He highlighted the difficulties encountered during his time in opposition.
“My first time in parliament was in 2017, and I joined as an opposition MP. So, in the last eight years, things have been really difficult. The then government asked some development partners or agencies to check out affiliations or which party we belong to before they give us the needed support we requested.
“You would go to some organisations, as long as you are an NDC MP, they would not show interest in supporting because it was the directive given to them by the then government,” Hottordze told YEN.com.gh.
The MP further emphasised his personal struggles and the lack of external support, contrasting his situation with other MPs.
“I don't come from a rich home. I have a very poor background, but I tried my best for my people while in opposition and still doing a lot as we are in government. They are always comparing me to other MPs, but these MPs, actually, have a good support system which I don't have.”
Addressing the accusations of underperformance, MP Hottordze suggested that the criticism was politically motivated, stemming from internal party rivalries.
"All these things are being perpetrated by people who are aligned to my opponents in the last internal election... If they claim I am not working, how come the good people of Central Tongu gave me a decisive victory in the last primaries? I won with a huge margin. Isn't that enough to say that the people appreciate my work and still have confidence in my leadership?” he asked.
Amid the criticism, some constituents have stood firmly by Hottordze, asserting that his efforts were being unfairly downplayed.
Desire, a retired teacher, highlighted tangible contributions, such as distribution of fertilizers, which often went unacknowledged.
"Forget them! They are only doing propaganda. Our MP is helping a lot of people. He's doing things in this constituency, but because of the hatred some of them have for him, they always make it seem as, he's not working. Just recently, we got over 1000 bags of fertilizer. But none of those doing the propaganda are talking about it. He's doing a lot for us, and we will always be grateful.”
This perspective underscores the complexity of the situation, amid suggestions that political rivalries and personal biases may be influencing the public discourse surrounding the MP's performance.
Source: Original
MTN-funded ICT lab rots in Central Tongu
YEN.com.gh also reported that MTN Ghana had invested $100,000 in an ICT lab at Adidome in the Central Tongu District, but the facility had been abandoned for about four years.
Once seen as a game-changer for digital education, the lab stands empty, with its equipment missing and infrastructure neglected. However, officials have pledged to use the facility.
District Chief Executive, Addison Dodzi Mornyuie, outlined plans to source new computers from institutions and individuals, noting that support was incoming from overseas.
Proofreading by Bruce Douglas, copy editor at YEN.com.gh.
Source: YEN.com.gh
