The Assembly member for the Nana Okai electoral area in the Akrofuom district in the Ashanti Region, Douglas Fosu Mensah, has advised his fellow Assembly members to develop good lobbying skills to attract more developmental projects to their areas.
Speaking to the media after a tour of his electoral area, the 41-year-old Mathematics teacher said one of the key attributes an Assembly member can possess is his or her lobbying skills. He said, “Once you have been elected by your people, you quickly learn on the job by developing good lobbying skills to inspire development in your area.”
The Local Government ACT 936 states, among other things, that an Assembly member shall, as appropriate, maintain close contact with the electoral area of the District Assembly, consult the people of the electoral area on issues to be discussed in the District Assembly, and collate their views, opinions, and proposals.
It also states that an Assembly member shall present the views, opinions, and proposals of the electorate to the District Assembly. However, the ACT does not assign developmental functions to Assembly members.
But in Ghana, to be successful in winning the support of your electorates for re-election as an Assembly member, one must actively engage in lobbying for projects for their electoral area. Hon. Douglas Fosu Mensah believes that this has been his winning strategy over the years.
Water closet and Mechanized borehole facilities
Since becoming an Assembly member, Hon. Mensah said he has been able to facilitate projects like a water closet toilet facility at Okyerekrom, which was the first of its kind in the District after Akrofuom, the district capital. He said this paved the way for four more water closet toilet facilities and an additional 3 mechanized boreholes at Nyamesomede, Pompom, and surrounding villages.
Community-initiated projects
The Assembly member for the Nana Okai electoral area also emphasized the benefits of community self-initiated projects. He said that when the community initiates a project on their own, they can seek support from the District Assembly or NGOs.
He mentioned that he started a JHS block at Okyerekrom with the community’s involvement. “While the project was ongoing, we received support from the Assembly and a small-scale miners group. Currently, the project is at an advanced stage, with students already studying there.”
Jimi Bridge Renovation
The Assembly member, while highlighting his achievements, disclosed that after realizing that the Jimi Bridge, a key bridge connecting Okyerekrom to Akrofuom, had seen no major development and was becoming a death trap, he quickly lobbied the DCE for the Akrofuom district, who immediately took action to repair the bridge. He said that students who previously faced challenges crossing the bridge to school can now do so with ease.
He also mentioned that through his lobbying skills, the Pompom and Sibriso link road, which was previously inaccessible, has been made motorable, aiding in the transport of farm produce.
He further stated that during his tenure, the Okyerekrom D/A and the Akrofuom D/A basic schools have both received desks, and work on the Okyerekrom football pitch is currently underway.
Hon. Douglas Fosu Mensah, who is seeking another term, further stressed that most of the drainage systems in his area have been fixed, including the Sikaduase and palace drainage systems, highlighting his ability to attract developmental projects to his area.
He urged Assembly members not to view themselves solely as lawmakers or representatives of the people but as agents of development, persuading Assemblies and other bodies to bring projects to their areas.
