HON. AYAWASO CENTRAL MP WAS THIS THE BARGAIN?

'Hearing tells you the music is playing; listening tells you exactly what the song is saying'.

It is some six months ago when Henry Quartey became a honourable member of the Ghanaian Parliament on and behalf of the voters of the Ayawaso Central Constituency after queuing for several hours under annihilating and debilitating sun to vote and fiercely protecting the ballot at the collation center and  a funfair coronation that took place at the Parliament House in Osu, amidst brass bands of varying accelerando, vehicles honking, crowd cheering while Henry (Hon), party men and women  parades themselves in traditional costume symbolizing merry.

Indeed, it was and still remains a day to remember, but conceivably for good or bad is a conclusion that entails deep thinking and replication.

Agbenaa Sheikh I.C Quaye, former Member of Parliament, may be talked about someday to come in his twelve years of his rule as MP,  proved to Ayawaso Central People that he really value their thumbs.

Anybody would have thought that Henry’s administration, having promised everything to everybody regardless of political colouration during campaign and electioneering would do well to keep his promises made by always considering people’s view before embarking on any decision or how on earth will any member of parliament decides to import drivers into his constituency to drive him or her at the instance of his constituents?

In a constituency with several segments and a time when the entire country seek to radically reduce the rate of idleness, The Gentle Giant promised to deliver and liberate the constituency from the shackles of bleakness and joblessness, but until today, some quarter’s into his honourableship, after signing and unloading his boxes of  luxurious cars  and plush accommodation loan services, several months and days into his rule, even the usual thank you tour after any elections whether family or associational elections is nowhere to be found. It is indeed a smack of boorishness and an affront to the people that voted him.

Is this the change we queued to bargain on December 7?  We had truly left our pot unwatched and our food now burns.

Our markets and roads have continued to deteriorate as basic facilities are not available. Our lights remain erratic while the unobtainability of gas and water continue to be a daily ritual. We only heard about donations at funeral gatherings on the lips of fanatics and on face book but yet the case with our roads, markets, unemployment remains immobile.

Grassroots party administration in the constituency has become paralyzed. It so worse that foot soldiers do no longer want to do anything for the party talk less of attending meetings  just because he (Henry) won’t release what is due to them as allocation  from the national party as a token for working as ‘exalted observers’ in the beleaguered presidential and parliamentary elections.

In fairness to Hon. Henry, there is no doubt that he was made a coordinator of a yet to come nationwide demonstration aimed at drumming home the exigency of hardship in the country, and awake the government from its slumber prior to the supreme courts declaration.

Well, as parliament set out   for yet another section it is my fervent wish and advice that attention be devoted to providing worthwhile and impactful dividends of democracy to Ayawaso Central People because they indeed deserves a better life and representation other than self-aggrandizement.

MP- means Member of Parliament, however a critical reflection and examination of this title would leave you pondering if indeed Member of Parliament is actually a Member of Parliament. Without predisposition to the designation of Member of Parliament, I concur that this definition is enough to placate an average electorate. But as a critic and a purveyor who has imaginative license and has gotten dynamism, humbly postulate that what makes a member of parliament extends beyond being an adult human being with enough body, abdomen and height plus sound mind. It travels beyond how gentle and giant one is. It indeed goes farther than having a broad chest, muscular arms, broad and deep voice, and talking on the most recent sophisticated gadgets. 

In fact Member of Parliament extends to standing up to condemn the condemnable, raising one’s voice if silent will lead to evil being perpetrated against any man. It goes to the extent of meandering and lobbying to bring the best to your constituents notwithstanding which party is in in-charge.

Painting these pictures on your minds, I suggest to you that you are not a member of parliament if you subscribe to worry and blame everyone instead of showing leadership. You are not a member of parliament if you chose to remain oblivious just because you can’t ask and contribute on the floor of parliament. You have failed as a member of parliament if you prefer crying before your electorates instead of confronting the source of the sorrow headlong.

A true member of parliament never shifts blames on people, never segregates, talk less of building walls around himself, rather he or she admits his faults when he falls short and make the lesson learnt a stepping stone. If cowardice is the only alternative to violence in a fight for a better life, a true member of parliament should be seen on the battle field.