The decision by the Member of Parliament (MP) for Ellembelle in the Western Region to splash a whopping GHC55,000 on a dancehall artist for a musical show regardless of the prevailing high level of poverty in his constituency, has incurred the displeasure of sections of residents in Ellembelle.
Mr. Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah, who doubles as the Minister of Petroleum is reported to have spent GHC55,000 on popular Ghanaian Dancehall Artist, Samini, for a night’s musical performance at Ekwe, one of the deprived communities in Ellembelle on December 26, 2015.
Samini’s performance was meant to climax the Annual Picnic Celebration organized by the chiefs and people of Ekwe.
The annual event is used to take stock of the community’s developmental performance for the year, raise funds and set new developmental objectives for the coming year.
It therefore, came as a surprise to many that the MP for the area, who is well apprised with the developmental challenges confronting the constituency, could dissipate such huge sum of money on a musical show.
Interestingly, Mr. Armah Buah donated only GHC1,000 to the community at the event to support the developmental projects for the year.
The move by the MP has left many residents questioning his judgment and wondering whether he is indeed fit to champion the developmental drive of the constituency.
The move is also giving credence to statements purportedly made by some followers of the legislator that notwithstanding his performance, the MP has the financial muscle to buy votes and bulldoze his way through in the November 7 elections.
“This is a clear manifestation that our MP doesn’t have the constituency at heart because I’m finding it difficult to understand what might have informed his decision. This is a constituency which still has schools under trees, bad roads and high youth unemployment rate”, George Ezuah, a resident of Ekwe, told the New Crusading GUIDE.
According to Mary Essien, a resident of Esiama, the MP said his followers seem to be taking the constituency for granted and could therefore pay the political price of their actions on November 7.
“This is not the only issue. They’ve made several comments and indulged in acts that show grave disrespect for us”, she said.
Peter Amihere, a resident of Anyimase, advised the MP to change from disrespectful posturing and fulfill the numerous promises made to the constituents.
“People are not happy with him at tall so he must sit up”, he said.