The Assembly Member for Surano in the Bibiani-Anhwiaso-Bekwai Municipality of the Western North Region, Hon. Atta Francis, has rejected allegations of poor performance levelled against him by the former Assembly Member, Hon. Obiri Agyarko.
Hon. Atta Francis said his record since assuming office demonstrates significant interventions in education, employment, electricity, water, sanitation and other areas of development across the electoral area.
Hon. Obiri Agyarko had earlier raised concerns about what he described as inadequate development in Surano, citing challenges including sanitation, youth unemployment, illegal mining and other pressing needs in the community.
Responding to the concerns, Hon. Atta Francis said several initiatives had been undertaken since he assumed office, adding that he remained committed to addressing the development needs of residents.
On illegal mining, he said the galamsey menace was beyond the capacity of an Assembly Member to tackle alone. He added that, according to him, illegal mining activities had already become an issue during the tenure of the former Assembly Member.
Hon. Atta Francis said he had made several attempts to address the menace but noted that its complexity required a broader approach involving the Municipal Assembly, traditional authorities, security agencies, mining companies and other relevant stakeholders.
He also cited improvements in electricity supply, saying the perennial power outages popularly known as “dumsor” in Surano had been addressed, creating a more stable environment for businesses and other economic activities. He added that efforts were ongoing to extend electricity to areas still facing challenges.
In education, Hon. Atta Francis said learning materials, including books and pens, had been provided to pupils annually through his efforts and with support from Chirano Mines.
He further disclosed that about 250 residents across the electoral area had been assisted to obtain new Ghana Cards and replace lost cards, thereby reducing the financial burden on beneficiaries.
According to him, efforts had also been made to attract investors to the area, including a proposed estate project involving about 15 acres of land at Surano, which he said could create jobs and stimulate economic activity.
Hon. Atta Francis said about 30 young people had secured employment opportunities through his efforts and collaboration with the chief. He said the development had earned him the nickname “Adwumawura” among some of the youth.
He also highlighted interventions in Anyinase, where he said a school had been completely renovated, streetlights provided and employment opportunities facilitated in collaboration with the chief.
At Kwawkrom, he said he had facilitated employment opportunities, supported the development of a funeral ground through filling works and worked with the chief to support the community through internally generated funds.
At Etwebo, Hon. Atta Francis said employment opportunities had been created and teachers’ quarters comprising four bedrooms, a kitchen and toilet facilities had been provided with support from the Chirano Sefwiman Foundation.
He added that streetlights and a mechanised water system had also been provided with support from Chirano Mines, while he helped the community secure a new transformer from the mining company.
The Assembly Member further said he had provided television sets and DStv decoders to communities within the electoral area at a cost of more than GH¢20,000. He also said he had supported funerals with more than 20 packs of items for each funeral and provided discreet assistance to needy residents.
Hon. Atta Francis said plans were advanced for a water project and the establishment of a police station at Surano, while efforts were continuing to address electricity-extension challenges in parts of the electoral area.
He urged constituents not to be swayed by what he described as propaganda, assuring them of his continued commitment to serving the people.
He said he actively participated in communal labour across the various communities and would continue working with residents, traditional leaders and other stakeholders to promote development across the Surano electoral area.
