Ashanti NPP MPs refute Gabby Otchere-Darko’s claims over regional road project priorities

The Ashanti Regional Parliamentary Caucus of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has strongly dismissed recent claims made by leading party member Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko, who suggested that Members of Parliament (MPs) from the Ashanti Region opted for community roads instead of flyovers — a decision he implied contributed to the region’s current infrastructural challenges.

In a detailed statement dated October 6, 2025, the caucus described Mr. Otchere-Darko’s comments as “false, inaccurate, and misleading,” emphasizing that at no point did Ashanti MPs choose smaller-scale road projects over large-scale infrastructure such as interchanges or flyovers.

“We wish to state emphatically that these assertions are FALSE, INACCURATE, and MISLEADING. It is unfortunate and disappointing that such remarks would be made in a manner that seeks to malign and unfairly portray Ashanti MPs,” the caucus declared.

The MPs clarified that there was no record or instance of any meeting — formal or informal — where they collectively decided to prioritize community roads over major infrastructure. They insisted that such an allegation undermines their consistent advocacy for equitable and accelerated development for the Ashanti Region, which remains the party’s political stronghold.

“No such meeting ever took place between Ashanti MPs and any person in authority where such a choice or preference was made,” the statement emphasized.

While acknowledging the contributions of successive NPP administrations toward the region’s development, the MPs noted that the Ashanti Region continues to face infrastructural deficits that do not reflect its central role in the country’s political and economic landscape.

“We acknowledge and appreciate the significant developmental efforts made by successive NPP governments in the Ashanti Region… However, we must state, with utmost candour, that these efforts, while appreciated, remain insufficient when measured against the immense loyalty, support, and contribution of the Ashanti Region to the electoral success of the NPP,” the caucus said.

The MPs cited examples of notable ongoing projects such as community road improvements, the Kejetia Redevelopment Project, the One District, One Factory (1D1F) initiative, and the construction of educational and health facilities across several districts. However, they argued that these efforts must be complemented by “transformative and high-impact infrastructure” to unlock the region’s full economic potential.

They therefore called for the urgent prioritization of modern interchanges, dual carriageways, and flyovers, particularly in Kumasi, the region’s capital and Ghana’s second-largest city, where increasing vehicular congestion continues to hamper productivity and trade.

“Ashanti deserves not only community roads but also modern interchanges, flyovers, expressways, and strategic infrastructure capable of driving economic activity, facilitating trade, and easing mobility for our citizens,” the statement added.

The caucus concluded by reaffirming its commitment to working collaboratively with the central government to push for equitable allocation of national resources, while urging senior party figures to exercise restraint and accuracy when discussing sensitive issues that affect regional unity and morale within the NPP.

Political observers believe the statement reflects growing tensions within the party over perceptions of neglect in the Ashanti Region — the NPP’s electoral backbone — amid increasing calls for visible, large-scale infrastructural investments.