Asante Akim North’s newly elected Member of Parliament, Ohene Kwaku Frimpong, attributes his surprise win as an independent candidate to the constituency’s underdeveloped state.
Having unseated incumbent MP Andy Appiah-Kubi, Frimpong notes that the area has seen little to no development, leading to widespread frustration among locals.
The outgoing MP’s inability to secure major developmental projects from the incumbent government, despite the constituency being a safe seat, was a significant factor in Mr. Frimpong’s victory.
“The MP was not forthcoming. There was basically a lack of development in the constituency,” Frimpong stated on Hard Talk with Serwaa Amihere.
He highlighted the poor state of roads in Asante Akyem Agogo, the constituency’s capital, where he was born.
Although acknowledging that MPs are not directly responsible for constructing roads, Mr. Frimpong emphasized that a vibrant MP can lobby for development in the constituency. Unfortunately, “you could tell that there was nothing happening in the constituency.”
Residents in the area complained about the deplorable roads and the absence of a single factory established by the government.
The central government’s ‘One District, One Factory’ agenda had provided a factory, but it was not operational. Frimpong personally visited the site and described it as an “eyesore,” with the floor where machines were sitting not even cemented.
Mr. Frimpong has expressed his commitment to embarking on projects to bring progress to the constituency, marking a new era for Asante Akim North.