I Have No Hand In Tafo Conflict -MP

From Issah Alhassan, Kumasi
THE MEMBER of Parliament for Old Tafo Constituency in Kumasi, Dr Anthony Akoto Osei has described as outrageous, attempts by some individuals to link him to the recent unrests in the Tafo community, involving some Zongo youth and traditional authorities.

The former Minister of Finance and Economic Planning has further denied the assertion that he has not shown much interest in helping to resolve the months-long dispute

Addressing a press conference at Tafo to clear what he said were certain misconceptions being carried out in the public, Dr Akoto Osei pointed out that as the MP for the area, he was making frantic efforts, together with all the stakeholders, to ensure that the long years of peaceful co-existence between all residents, was not disturbed.

He pointed out that ever since the unfortunate incident started, he had been at the forefront of advocating and conferring with National Security and Government, stressing that he has never at any moment reneged on his role as the representative of the people.

Dr. Akoto Osei further explained that though he was not part of the government delegation that went to Tafo at the early stages of the crisis, which was led by the National Chief Imam, he found time to meet with Tafohene and Chiefs and Elders of the Zongo community to devise means of resolving the matter.

The MP explained that considering the volatile nature of the issue, he needed to be very cautious in terms of his involvement, hence his decision to lay low and engage in advocacy, emphasizing that this should not be misconstrued as shirking responsibility.

“Suffice to add that the reason for the disturbance has to do with the cemetery land issue which bothers purely on Chieftaincy and land ownership, it was imperative that as an MP I needed to be very cautious in my involvement in order not to create any wrong impression,” He emphasized.

ENUMERATES NUMEROUS ACHIEVEMENTS
Dr. Akoto Osei also enumerated a number of achievements ranging from roads infrastructure, health facilities, improvement in education and provision of social amenities during his reign as a Member of Parliament for the Old Tafo constituency.

He pointed out that even before he took over as the MP for the constituency in 2004, the Tafo Constituency had seen tremendous improvements and continues to enjoy its fair share of development.

Dr. Akoto Osei mentioned several educational infrastructures at Tafo/Pankrono Primary and Junior High Schools, Osei Kyeretwie SHS (OKESS), Tafo Methodist Primary and St. Benedict RC School and the establishment of the Vocational Training Centre in 2006, which has trained young girls and single-mothers as part of Livelihood Empowerment and Poverty Alleviation.

He further added that through the intervention of his office, more than 2,500 students – both at SHS and tertiary levels have tremendously benefitted from a scholarship scheme, adding that the scheme has helped many students who have now graduated and are now pursuing courses in engineering, medicine, law, banking and nursing.

On the health sector, the MP said several achievements were worthy of mentioning, including the provision of new ambulance for Tafo Government Hospital, construction of a 3-Storey E.N.T Complex for the Tafo Hospital from the MP’s share of the NHIS Fund, whilst a modern canteen has also been established for staff of the hospital from the MP’s share of the common.

“Several developments have also been seen in areas of peace and security with the provision of an ultra modern Police Station at Tafo Nhyiaeso, Youth and Sports Development, provision of streets lights and computers amongst others,” Dr Akoto Osei pointed out.