Massive road works have began on some major roads around Dzorwulu and its environs with barely two weeks to the Ayawaso West Wuogon by-elections.
The construction work which has got residents jubilating started on Sunday January 13 and is expected to be completed by Thursday January 31.
The Ayawaso West Wuogon seat became vacant following the death of the MP, Emmanuel Kyeremanteng Agyarko.
With the late MP’s wife picking up the mantle in a quest to retain the seat for the NPP, the Electoral Commission has cleared 2016 aspirant of the NDC, Delali Kwasi Brempong to contest Madam Lydia Alhassan.
The residents and some commuters who ply the road told ghanaweb.com despite their joy, they believe the sudden enthusiasm is politically motivated.
They are marveled at how roads that were left in a deplorable state for years are suddenly being reconstructed because of upcoming elections.
They claim several calls on the late MP to have the potholes, which posed grave danger to road users and caused traffic congestion in the area filled, remained unheard.
While some drivers admitted that the development will have an influence on their vote in the upcoming by-election, many say they will consider other factors to make their voting choices.
But the NDC aspirant for the constituency, Mr. Delali Kwasi Brempong says he is not intimidated by the construction of the road.
He tells ghanaweb.com, it is the responsibility of government to construct roads for the people and he is therefore confident it will not reflect on the votes come January 31.
“During my house to house campaign in this constituency I have had full support from the people and therefore I’m not intimidated in any way. Government is very late in constructing roads for the people in this area. The stereotype constituencies have been neglected for a very long time so if they want to use the by-elections to fix the road I think it is a very good news for us. I don’t feel intimidated in anyway because road construction is a normal function of every government.
I am not also bothered because I am the most popular of all the contenders. I have been into politics at ayawaso since 2011, went through primaries and then elections in 2016. So to me, this is just a repetition of 2016 elections.”
Adding his voice, Constituency Chairman for the NDC, Bismark Ayittey said he was confident his aspirant will win the sit.
He also rubbished claims of the NPP aspirant gaining sympathy from the constituents as she is the widow of the late MP.
“Everyone knows that Madam Lydia is not the true wife of Emmanuel Agyarko and the NPP is just forcing her on the people. Even when you look at the obituary for the late MP, her name does not appear. So we are not worried about sympathy votes and emotions playing a role in this election because it won’t. A true wife will also want to mourn her husband and take care of the children at a time like this.
This election will determine what will happen in 2020 and the NPP has taken the people for granted way too know, it is time for them to vote again and to vote for someone who cares about their security and wellbeing and that person is Delali Kwasi Brempong.”
Background
The EC on Thursday, January 10, opened nominations for the aspirants in the Constituency and ended on Saturday, January 12, 2019.
The EC had so far given the nod to four MP Aspirants to contest the by-election in the constituency.
They are Mr Delali Kwasi Brempong, representing the National Democratic Congress; Madam Lydia Alhassan, representing the New Patriotic Party; Mr William Dowokpor, for the Peoples Progressive Party; and Mr Clement Boadi, representing the Liberal Party of Ghana.
