In the Asante-Akim North Constituency of the Ashanti Region, a concerned constituent has stepped up to challenge government and Member of Parliament claims regarding a purported functioning plantain factory.
Despite assertions from the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) and MP Andy Appiah-Kubi that a plantain factory was operational and offering employment opportunities for youth, evidence gathered by a vigilant constituent suggests otherwise.
The controversy arose following the release of the NPP’s Performance Tracker, which listed the alleged plantain factory as one of the party’s achievements. Additionally, Appiah-Kubi reportedly stated in parliament that he personally supplies plantains from his plantation to sustain the factory’s operations, highlighting its role in job creation within the constituency.
However, determined to verify these claims, a constituent conducted a fact-checking mission to the factory site. Armed with a camera, the individual documented the surroundings, revealing an unkempt area with an uninviting path leading to the facility. Shockingly, the footage circulated on social media depicted a factory devoid of activity, with no signs of electricity supply despite the extension of power lines to the site.
Haha 😛 eeii NPP🤦🏽🤷🏾. Good job Amaru Shakur 👏 pic.twitter.com/u3O0EFTXIg
— Aristotlektv (@aristotledada) April 22, 2024
The video has sparked widespread skepticism among residents, with some corroborating the constituent’s findings. According to these voices, the factory remains non-operational, with local farmers seeking alternative markets for their produce. Such discrepancies between official claims and on-the-ground realities have fueled doubts about the efficacy of government initiatives and the transparency of elected representatives.
Public scrutiny has intensified, with increasing calls for accountability and transparency. There are demands for thorough investigations into the disparity between official statements and the truth on the ground. This revelation underscores the importance of grassroots scrutiny in holding public officials accountable and ensuring that promises made to constituents are fulfilled.