Nat’l Tymes News Desk
MEMBER of Parliament for Ayawaso East, Lawyer Ahmed Mohammed Baba Jamal, appears determined to prove that his decision to leave Ghana’s diplomatic service and return home to contest the parliamentary seat was not a mistake.
Just five months into his tenure, the MP has begun an accountability tour across the NDC wards in Ayawaso East, using the exercise to explain his interventions in education, health, roads, youth development and other areas.
The exercise is also in line with a 15-point commitment he made to NDC delegates before the party’s parliamentary primaries, following the demise of the former MP, the late Hon. Mahama Nasser Toure.
Lawyer Baba Jamal told constituents that he voluntarily left his position as Ghana’s High Commissioner to Nigeria, where he earned more than $12,000 a month in salary and other benefits, because he believed Ayawaso East needed a stronger development push.
He said the constituency had contributed significantly to the NDC since 1992 but still faced a number of development challenges that needed urgent attention.
Lawyer Baba Jamal used the accountability tour to explain how portions of his MP’s Common Fund were being used, saying the Fund was meant for constituency development and not for his personal use.
Areas receiving attention include scholarships, health support, assistance to persons with disabilities (PWDs), youth skills training, economic empowerment, sports, culture, tourism, sanitation and community self-help projects.
He disclosed that some students had already received assistance to continue their education, including at the tertiary and Master’s levels. He also announced a new opportunity for aspiring lawyers from Ayawaso East.
According to him, MountCrest University College has agreed to offer qualified students from the constituency a 50 per cent discount on fees.
He said his office would provide a further 25 per cent support through the MP’s Fund, bringing the total potential fee support to 75 per cent for qualified beneficiaries. Lawyer Baba Jamal also highlighted his parliamentary work, saying eight Bills had been passed during his first five months in Parliament.
He mentioned the Community Sentencing Bill and legislation relating to military education among the measures he contributed to.
He further said he had advocated for the development of Eid-ul-Fitr into a properly organised tourism and commercial activity, which he described as “Kashi-Kashi-Kah; Shake-&-Dance.” He believes such an initiative could help promote tourism, increase business activity and create additional revenue opportunities for the assembly.
On development, the MP informed constituents about efforts he had made which had contributed to the ongoing resurfacing of the Nima Highway towards Ayawaso North, as well as improvements to inner roads.
Plans are also being developed for a modern 24-hour market with underground parking and lorry facilities, an E-Block Senior High School at Kanda, and the redevelopment of the old Nima CDR office into a modern shopping and office complex.
The MP also explained that slots for young people to join the security agencies had been exhausted, but he managed to secure a number of slots for some young people from the constituency.
He said youth empowerment would remain a major part of his development agenda because young people needed practical opportunities to build sustainable livelihoods.
Lawyer Baba Jamal said his administration would serve residents regardless of their political affiliation.
He said the political contest was over and his attention was now firmly focused on development.
“I have not come to discriminate. I have come to serve the underserved Ayawaso East Constituency,” he said.
He also challenged those questioning his role in the Nima Highway resurfacing project to check the official approval letter to establish when and how the project was approved.
Some ward members at the accountability meetings described the MP’s performance as “better late than never.”
Source: Nationaltymes.com
