The lawmaker for Akim Swedru Constituency in the Eastern Region, Kennedy Osei Nyarko, has responded angrily to those who have called for him to retire from his parliamentary seat.
He maintains that the position is not a family seat.
In a forceful response, he emphasized his accomplishments and dismissed the idea that an MP’s term should have a set duration.
He believes his achievements within the last twelve years are unprecedented, comparing them to what his predecessor achieved in his entire long period of serving as a legislator for the Akim Swedru constituency.
“I’ve done a good job serving my constituency, and there is not a specific period of time that an MP should serve in parliament”, Mr. Nyarko stated, questioning the legitimacy of calls for his retirement during an exclusive interview with Daily Searchlight and MyGhanaMedia.com.
Kennedy Osei Nyarko stated that he had fulfilled 80% of his pledges in the constituency thus far, highlighting improvements to road infrastructure, health care, and education.
“Under my watch, this constituency has witnessed a massive facelift compared to before; no one can compare his achievements to mine in terms of development in the Akim Swedru constituency.”
“Looking at my contribution to the people, the only reward they will give me is to retain me to be able to continue the good works that I have started for the development of the constituency.”
He expressed disbelief at the idea that serving for 12 years should automatically prompt retirement, emphasizing that the decision lies with the constituents.
Nyarko countered the retirement suggestions, emphasizing the political nature of the discourse.
“If someone sits somewhere and says I have served for 12 years, so I should retire, why is it a family seat? It is not a family seat; this is pure politics,” he declared, dismissing the notion that parliamentary seats are hereditary.
Asserting the trust placed in him by the people, Nyarko questioned the absence of constitutional provisions specifying the number of years an MP can serve in parliament.
He pointed to the extended tenures of other seasoned politicians like KT Hammond, Haruna Iddrisu, and Kyei Mensa Bonsu, questioning the logic behind singling him out.
“So if the people put their trust in me and they want me to stay, why should I retire? Where in the constitution is it stated about the number of years an MP can stay in parliament? What will you say about KT Hammond, Haruna Iddrisu, and Kyei Mensa Bonsu, among others who have stayed longer than me?” Nyarko challenged.
As the NPP goes to the polls to elect parliamentary candidates for the 2024 general elections in January, the incumbent MP, Hon. Kennedy Osei Nyarko, is seeking a fourth term and is hopeful of victory.
Describing himself as a selfless leader, the legislator has once again promised the electorate that he will work hard to tackle their various challenges.
Kennedy Osei is the three-term member of parliament for the Akim Swedru constituency and the chairman of the Roads and Transport Committee.
He was elected a member of parliament in 2016, representing Akim Swedru. In November 2017, he was appointed Deputy Minister of Agriculture in the Republic of Ghana.
Meanwhile, Controller and Accountant-General Kwasi Kwaning-Bosompem has declared his intention to contest the New Patriotic Party’s forthcoming parliamentary primary.
His brother, Joseph Ampomah Bosompem, was a Member of Parliament in the same seat from January 2008 to January 2013, when he lost the seat in 2012 to Kennedy Osei Nyarko.
