Eric Opoku rewarded Best MP for rural devt
The Member of Parliament (MP) for Asunafo South, Mr Eric Opoku, has received an award as the best MP for communal and rural development for 2017.
The award, which was conferred on him by the Bureau of Research on Governance, Commerce and Administration (BORGCA), is in recognition of his contribution to the development efforts in the Asunafo South Constituency.
Advertisement
Presenting the award to Mr Opoku in Accra last Thursday, the Executive Director of BORGCA, Professor Victor Yankah, stated that the bureau came to that conclusion after a thorough research in the Asunafo South Constituency.
He said the researchers saw a number of projects, which included schools, roads, water and electricity that Mr Opoku solely constructed in remote areas in the constituency.
For instance, Prof. Yankah said, Mr Opoku provided boreholes for many communities and was converting the boreholes into mechanised boreholes.
Besides, he indicated that most of the people interviewed spoke well of Mr Opoku , saying he did not discriminate in the extension of projects and offering of support.
Prof. Yankah noted, therefore, that the award would motivate the MP to continue with his development efforts and also serve as an example for other legislators to emulate.
He urged MPs to extend development projects to all corners of their constituencies irrespective of their political affiliations.
MPs who received similar awards are the MP for Suame and current Majority Leader, Mr Osei Kyei-Mensah- Bonsu, and the MP for Asutifi South and former Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Alhaji Collins Dauda.
Honorary doctorate degree
Throwing more light on the research, the Communication Strategist of BORGCA, Mr Isaac Rockson, said a similar research was conducted in several other constituencies across the country.
Therefore, he said, Mr Opoku appeared tall above the other MPs whose constituencies were covered in the research.
Mr Rockson said based on the recommendation by BORGCA, the Ternopil State Economic University in Ukraine would honour Mr Opoku with an honorary doctorate degree on May 10, 2018.
Eric Opoku
Receiving the award, Mr Opoku, who has been the MP for Asunafo South since 2005, said he embarked on a number of projects with the view to developing the constituency and improving the standard of living of the people.
According to him, he allocated 40 per cent of all his earnings to the development of the constituency.
The MP said he allowed the people to identify their development needs and held discussions with them to agree on the priority areas based on available resources.
He stated further that he provided building materials, including cement and sand, while the people provided labour.
Mr Opoku said he did not discriminate in the extension of the projects because the development projects served as an attraction for political opponents.
Besides, he said, a leader was supposed to mobilise all the people to embark on development projects, adding that he felt highly motivated by the award. He expressed the hope that it would encourage him to continue to do his best for the people.