The Assembly Member for the Leklebi Agbesia–Fiafe Electoral Area, Joseph Kofi Gakpo, has rejected a proposal by the Afadzato South District Assembly to provide Christmas packages for Assembly Members and staff of the Assembly.
Moving a motion on the floor of the House, the outspoken Assembly Member—who also doubles as the NDC Agbesia–Fiafe Ward Youth Organizer—said he sees no justification for the Assembly, which claims it lacks funds to provide basic necessities such as potable water to deprived communities within the district, to suddenly find money to procure Christmas items for staff and Assembly Members.
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“I strongly disagree with the proposal that management should provide an end-of-year package to Honourable Assembly Members. I therefore move that this recommendation be removed from the report before we approve it,” Mr. Gakpo stated on the floor of the House.
Justifying his opposition to the proposal, Mr. Gakpo explained:
“My community in Agbesia is facing serious challenges with non-functional boreholes. Despite writing several letters to the Assembly, I was informed that there are no funds available.”
He further stated that the Assembly’s Internally Generated Funds (IGF) are insufficient, making it worrying that management claims it has no money for essential items such as pumping machines, yet can allocate resources for Christmas gifts for 32 Honourable Assembly Members and 85 Assembly staff.
“It is alarming that management says there are no funds for critical needs but can suddenly afford Christmas packages,” Mr. Gakpo fumed.
Emphasizing the need to abort the plan, he added:
“The cost of just one bag of rice for each member would amount to GH₵11,700. This does not even include other items such as cooking oil and sardines.”
Addressing the Presiding Member, he said:
“Honourable PM, I believe every member here can personally afford these items for Christmas. Therefore, I move that this particular recommendation be removed from the report.”
He subsequently appealed to his colleagues to support the motion.
“I urge my fellow members to support me,” he said.
Mr. Gakpo concluded by stating:
“I will not accept any of these items, and I will inform my constituents that funds meant for pumping machines were instead used to buy rice and sardines. Thank you, Honourable PM.”
Read is full statement of the floor of the house
I strongly disagree with the proposal that management should provide an end-of-year package to Honorable Assembly members. I move that this recommendation be removed from the report before we approve it.
This is because my community in Agbesia is facing challenges with non-functional boreholes. Despite writing several letters to the assembly, I was informed that there are no funds available.
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Our Internally Generated Funds are insufficient, and it is concerning that management claims to have no funds for essential items like pumping machines but can allocate resources for Christmas gifts for 32 Honorable Assembly members and 85 assembly staff. The cost of just one bag of rice for each member would be 100gh x 17 = 11,700. Additionally, other items like oil and sardines would be included.
Honorable PM, I believe that every member here can afford these items for Christmas. Therefore, I move that this particular report be removed.
I urge fellow members to support me. I will not accept any of these items and will inform my constituents that our funds for pumping machines have been used for rice and sardines instead. Thank you, Honorable PM.
May posterity judge us all.
Hon Joseph Gakpo,
Assembly member of Leklebi Agbesia Fiafe Electoral Area
