Nicholas Kwadwo Osei-Wusu, a renowned journalist at the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) Ashanti, is eagerly anticipating the opportunity to serve as an assembly member for the Nintin-Hwidiem electoral area in the Asante Mampong Municipal.
The District Assembly Elections are scheduled for December 19, 2023, and Osei-Wusu firmly believes that the time has come for him to contribute to the significant development of his communities, Nitin and Hwidiem.
During an interview on Oyerepa Breakfast Time, on Friday, Nicolas Osei-Wusu outlined three major initiatives that he plans to undertake if elected by the Nitin and Hwidiem electorates.
Banana Production
He stated that the two communities primarily rely on subsistence farming as their main source of livelihood. However, their economic backbone lies in small-scale trading and selling along the main Kumasi-Mampong highway, with bananas being the dominant commodity. This economic activity is particularly important for the residents, especially the women, who primarily target commuters and motorists as their main customer base during rest stops.
For this reason, he plans to utilize his media influence to promote bananas as the preferred organic fruit in Ghana, similar to how Akomadan is renowned for its association with tomatoes.
By leveraging his media advantage, he aims to position bananas as the go-to choice for consumers in Ghana, emphasizing their organic qualities and benefits.
“Nitin is well noted for Banana production, so I’m going to leverage my media advantage to promote the production of Banana nationwide so Ghanaians know that, Nitin-Hwidiem is the best destination for organic banana. This will boost banana sales and its production, thereby putting enough money in the people’s pocket.”
“This is what I, Nicholas Osei-Wusu if elected as the Assembly Member for the Electoral Area, plan to take advantage of to turn around the fortunes of the towns.”
Sanitation
Poor sanitation, he emphasized, is a significant concern, particularly in Nintin. The lack of suitable alternatives has led to the prevalent practice of open defecation, which inevitably brings about severe health and hygiene repercussions.
Consequently, he has committed to collaborating with the Greater Kumasi Metropolitan Area Water and Sanitation program to tackle the issue and rectify the dire state of sanitation and environmental hygiene in these two towns.
“About sanitation, I’m going liaise with the Greater Kumasi Metropolitan Area Water and Sanitation programme to assist in building toilets for households.”
Insect bites
The aspirant disclosed also that, presently, residents of the two communities are battling attacks by strange insects which bites are subtle but leave people with rashes and other uncomfortable skin conditions.
To address this health concern, “I will liaise with the Municipal Environmental Health Directorate as well as the Municipal Health Directorate to identify the actual causative issues with the view to tackling the root cause of this serious health concern of the people.”
Potable water
Another pressing concern that he addressed was the acute challenge of potable water supply faced by both Nintin and Hwidiem. Currently, residents of these two towns are forced to purchase water from Bosofuor, located near Mampong, the Municipal capital, at exorbitant prices that include transportation costs.
Despite numerous attempts to find borehole water through years of testing, these efforts have been unsuccessful due to the low water table, despite the rocky and hilly terrain of the two towns.
The unreliable water supply situation has had a detrimental impact on economic activities, and school attendance, and has contributed to the spread of waterborne diseases in these communities. In light of this, he plans to continue the initial steps he took with some of the leaders of Nintin in seeking an extension of pipe-borne water from Mampong or exploring other viable and reliable water sources to serve the people.
The aspiring assembly member said, that if he becomes delegate and representative of the Electoral Area at the Mampong Municipal Assembly, he will hold regular meetings with the two communities and their opinion leaders, under the Local Government Act, to gather their input on the development of the two communities.
Nicolas emphasized that Nintin and Hwidiem will receive equal attention and resource allocation if he is elected. Among the five candidates vying for the position, Nicolas Kwadwo Osei Owusu is listed as the third option on the ballot paper. He earnestly appeals to the Nitin and Hwidiem electorates to cast their votes in his favour on Tuesday.
“I’m the best person to become the Nitin-Hwidiem assembly member. I’m number 3 on the ballots; therefore I’m urging all electorates to vote for me.”
Source: Oyerepafmonline.com / Joseph Marfo
