TMA reacts to Naa Torshie Addo's allegations

Tema, May 16, GNA - The Tema Metropolitan Assembly (TMA) has refuted claims by Mrs Naa Torshie Addo, Member of Parliament (MP) for Tema West, that the Assembly had high-jacked the construction of a mortuary for the Tema General Hospital (TGH) which was her brain-child project.

The TMA stated that the MP was alleged to have said on a number of radio stations in Accra and Tema that the construction of the Mortuary at TGH was her brain-child.

The statement further said “she accuses the TMA of high-jacking her 'project,' and goes ahead to organize a sod-cutting ceremony that according to her, gives her political opponent, Mr Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo an advantage over her”.

Reacting to the allegations, the Management of TMA, said the statements were rather unfortunate, especially when as a member of the TMA, Mrs Torshie-Addo was better placed to appreciate the structure, and operations of the Assembly.

The Assembly said it would not waste its energies and resources in unnecessary rancor, giving the assurance that, it would focus on its core mandate of improving the living standards of residents and businesses within the Metropolis.

They expressed unhappiness that the Assembly's attendance books revealed that since March 15, 2011, the MP has not attended any of the meetings of the Assembly even though she is a member of the Assembly and “it therefore stands to reason that her conspicuous non-attendance to our meetings accounts for her ignorance of decisions reached on the floor of the House”.

Recounting the events that led to the construction of the new Mortuary for the TGH, the statement said, following several publications on the state of the old Mortuary, Mr Kempes Ofosuware, Tema Metropolitan Chief Executive and some TMA officials, together with the Press, paid a surprise visit to assess the situation at the Mortuary.

It said further that on November 19, 2011, Mr Ofosu-Ampofo, after leading some residents and Zoomlion officials to embark on a cleanup exercise at the Hospital, reiterated an earlier directive to the TMA, to build a new Mortuary for the TGH.

The statement said the Minister made a personal commitment of GH¢100,000 towards the project, after paying a visit the Hospital.

It explained that after an extensive deliberation on the Report of the project by the Finance and Administration Sub-Committee of the TMA, the matter was forwarded to the Assembly for further consideration.

The statement said the Report was then tabled at the General Assembly which was followed by the contract and subsequent sod-cutting ceremony.

Management assured residents in the Metropolis that TMA has a responsibility to improve health delivery at all levels and would continue to discharge its mandate efficiently and effectively.

GNA