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Municipal Chief Executive for Ahanta West, Ing. Ebenezer Kofi Aidoo, has called on National Security to investigate an abandoned youth centre project at Agona Nkwanta.
The project, which was initiated in September 2019 by former Member of Parliament Ebenezer Kojo Kum under the controversial $1 million-per-constituency initiative of the Infrastructure for Poverty Eradication Programme (IPEP), remains stalled at the foundation stage with no indication of completion.
The structure has begun to deteriorate, while a large pit adjacent to the site has become a breeding ground for mosquitoes, insects, and reptiles.
The facility was originally intended to serve as a hub for entrepreneurial, vocational, and recreational activities for the youth in Ahanta West; however, that vision now appears to be under serious threat.
Funds reportedly invested in the project by Rajgah Construction may have been wasted, as officials indicate there is no documentation supporting the contract award.
Consequently, the contractor’s prospects of securing payment for work completed appear uncertain. With the Coastal Development Authority, the supervising agency under IPEP, now dissolved, the contractor has appealed to the Ahanta West Municipal Assembly for intervention.
Despite this, Ing. Aidoo insists that no further action will be taken until a thorough investigation is conducted by National Security.
“I have written to the Regional Minister for direction. We are going to invite the contractor again, involve National Security, and assess what transpired at the site,” he stated.
“This is a public facility, and people expect that since government is a continuum, such projects should be completed. However, we must also consider our priorities and budget constraints,” he added.
The Municipal Chief Executive also acknowledged the frustration among the youth regarding the stalled project.
“Unfortunately, what we have now is a pit, similar to the National Cathedral situation. We call it the ‘Ahanta Pit,’” he remarked.
Residents, particularly the youth, are hopeful that the Municipal Assembly will eventually revive the project as part of its development agenda. However, any such move is likely to depend on the outcome of the ongoing investigations.
Story by Efua Nessa