President John Dramani Mahama is expected to commission the new ultra-modern National Democratic Congress party office in Zuarungu in the Upper East region when he arrives in the region with his “Accounting to the People Tour.”
The building of the explicitly flashy party office by the Member of Parliament for the Bolgatanga East constituency and Deputy Attorney General Dr. Dominic Ayine stirred some controversy with critics labeling it as a misplaced priority.
Speaking to journalists on the side-lines of the commissioning of a three unit classroom block in Dubila a community in the Bolgatanga East constituency, Friday, Dr. Ayine disclosed that work had been completed on the project while some furniture and office equipment have been procured and is expected to be commissioned by the President when he arrives in the Upper East region on a date yet to be known.
“We are now making an effort to furnish the office which is the only thing that is left. The last time I checked we have enough furniture for all the offices. So I will be bringing in the furniture very soon to the office. We are looking at the President’s calendar in terms of the accounting to the people tour that he is doing. We would make sure that when he is in the Upper East region at least he would cut the sod for the opening of the office. So when you hear that the President is coming to the Upper East region, am sure the office would be commissioned,” he said.
He further indicated that the President’s task of commissioning the party office during the said tour which is an official tour would not constitute any breach or abuse of privileged because the President was elected on the ticket of the National Democratic Congress.
“He was elected on the ticket of the National Democratic Congress, he is a member of the great National Democratic Congress and the office belongs to our party. If he comes to commission it, I don’t see why that should be a problem,” he added.
Following heavy criticisms on the deputy attorney general for choosing to embark on this initiative, he has mounted a strong justification for building the edifice saying there is a synergy between democracy and development hence spending a colossal amount of money putting up the structure is worth it.
According to him, the structures of a political party which is a significant component of democracy must be built so that both development and democracy can grow together.
“I take criticism in good faith, we are in public office and we are open to criticism at any point in time that people feel that you are doing things wrongly. I think that the issues that were raised were legitimate issues…that office is expensive, am not denying that fact. The point was made that we could have used the money for other alternative projects for the region but I also think that it is important to build party structures. Parties are the vehicles for mobilising people around developmental issues. When you have parties sitting under trees then democracy doesn’t develop. The link between democracy and development is a very strong one.”
The J. D. Mahama complex has about 8 offices, conference hall, cafeteria and other ancillaries.
By: Azongo Albert | A1RADIOONLINE.com | GHANA
