The Wa East District in the Upper West Region of Ghana is currently facing a setback in its development journey due to the refusal of the District Chief Executive (DCE), Dr. Mahama Suliman Kandia Ewurah, to approve the release of funds from the Member of Parliament (MP) for Wa East, Dr. Godfred Seidu Jasaw's share of the District Assembly Common Fund (DACF).
This decision by the DCE has significantly impacted the progress of community development initiatives in the district.
Dr. Godfred Seidu Jasaw, the MP for Wa East, has been actively seeking the approval and release of funds from his share of the common fund to invest in various community development projects.
These projects aim to improve infrastructure, education, healthcare, and overall living conditions for the people of Wa East. However, on numerous occasions, Dr. Mahama Suliman Kandia Ewurah has denied these requests, stalling the much-needed development in the district.
The Wa East legislature, Dr. Godfred Seidu Jasaw speaking to Info Radio, disclosed that he had written 34 separate fund request letters to the DCE for the release of funds from the MP share of the common fund since September 2023 but has not received any action from Dr Awura Kandia on those requests.
The District Assembly Common Fund is a pool of resources allocated to each district assembly in Ghana. The fund is designed to support local development projects and initiatives. The Member of Parliament for each constituency is responsible for managing and allocating his/her share of funds to benefit their constituents. In the case of Wa East, Dr Jasaw has been unable to fulfil his role effectively due to the obstruction from Dr Mahama Suliman Kandia Ewurah.
Local community leaders and residents have expressed concern and frustration over the lack of progress in development projects. They argue that Dr. Awurah Kandia's refusal to approve the release of funds is hindering the growth and well-being of the Wa East District.
In response to these concerns, Dr Jasaw has called on the DCE to reconsider his stance and work collaboratively to ensure the development of the Wa East District. He emphasized the importance of putting aside personal differences and focusing on the greater good of the community.
As the situation unfolds, it remains unclear whether Dr Mahama Suliman Kandia Ewurah will change his position and allow the much-needed funds to be released for the betterment of the Wa East District.
The people of Wa East eagerly await a resolution that will enable the continuation of their community development initiatives and the improvement of their living conditions.
The Wa East DCE in April 2024 denied receiving letters from the Wa East MP when he appeared before the parliamentary select committee in charge of Public Accounts in Sunyani.
Despite the District Coordinating Director for Wa East telling members of the Public Accounts Committee that he received the letters from the MP and forwarded same to the DCE for his action, the Wa East DCE denied ever seeing those letters on his desk.
Several calls and text messages placed to the Wa East DCE Dr. Mahama Suliman Kandia Ewurah for his comments on the matter proved futile since he said he is overburdened with tasks as a DCE and Parliamentary candidate for the NPP for the Wa East constituency.
Efforts are still being made by Info Radio to speak to the Wa East DCE for his side of the story.