The Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for New Juaben South, Ransford Owusu Boakye, has strongly denied allegations by the Member of Parliament for the constituency, Hon. Michael Okyere Baafi that he has taken over shops at Jackson Park, describing claims as misleading and damaging to his reputation.
Speaking in an interview on Bryt FM’s Adekyee Mu Nsem, Mr. Boakye addressed a viral video in which the New Juaben South MP allegedly accused him of seizing shops that had already been constructed and allocated to individuals.
“I want to state clearly that I do not know where my brother, the MP, is speaking from, but if he is indeed in Koforidua, then what he is saying is either a deliberate attempt to mislead the public or to tarnish my reputation,” he said.
According to the MCE, all seventeen shops at Jackson Park had already been allocated before he assumed office, and he has not interfered with any of them.
“There are seventeen shops at Jackson Park, and they were not even operational when I assumed office. Even members of my own party expected me to allocate some to them, but I made it clear that I would not touch any shop that had already been given out,” he explained.
Mr. Boakye admitted that his decision initially caused tension within his political party, as some supporters were unhappy with his stance.
“Because of this decision, some of my party members, brothers, and sisters were not happy with me at first, but now everyone understands the situation,” he noted.
He further clarified that the shops had already been distributed under the supervision of his predecessor, Appau Gyasi, before he took office.
“When I came, my brother Appau Gyasi had already shared all the seventeen shops. I have not taken even one from anyone,” he emphasized.
On documentation concerns, the MCE acknowledged that while allocation records existed, some were not properly completed.
“There were documents covering these allocations, although some were not properly done. It is difficult to determine whether documentation issues affected some allocations, so I allowed those without proper documents to regularize them to resolve everything,” he added.
Looking ahead, Mr. Boakye revealed plans by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to construct additional shops in the area.
“Going forward, we as the NDC also intend to build more shops, and if our people are interested, we will allocate some to them,” he said.
Source:Mybrytfmonline.com/Tamara Owusu Ansah
