General News of Wednesday, 26 February 2003

Source: Ghanaian Chronicle

Chief Wants Name Change for Accra Suburb

NII ADOTEI Mampong II, chief of Mamponse, a suburb of Accra in the Ablekuma South constituency of the Greater Accra Region, has appealed to the government through the Member of Parliament for Ablekuma South, Hon. Theresa Ameley Tagoe, to change the name of Agege to Mamponse.

According to the chief, the name Agege, with its different interpretations from Nigeria, deprives the indigenous residents in the area of pushing forward the tradition of the Mamponse. " The tradition and the history of the name Mamponse has been thwarted over the years now and we will be grateful if the NPP Government could easily change the name and erect bill boards with the inscription 'Mamponse' to avoid it being associated with the notorious Agege township in the Nigeria, Agege," he added.

Nii Adotei made the appeal during the cutting of sod for the construction of a two-kilometre road within Mamponse.

The construction, which is supposed to last for six months, is estimated at ?1 billion and would be undertaken by Ali Damu Construction Company Limited.

The chief of Mamponse urged the residents to give the NPP enough time to rule the nation, adding that the period of four years is not enough. He said within two years of the NPP administration, they have done a lot to be given the mandate to rule for sometime to achieve the developmental projects in the country.

Nii Adotei appealed to the residents to collaborate with the contractor to ensure smooth and speedy work in the area.

Hon. Theresa Ameley Tagoe, who doubles as the deputy Minister of Works and Housing, also appealed to the residents to cooperate with the contractor.

She asked them to do away with sabotage, adding that "this act does not enhance development."

Expressing her displeasure, the MP said, " I become worried immediately a viable project in the constituency is to be executed because the contractors will come to me in tears, complaining that the residents have been giving them setbacks in the process."

Hon. Tagoe underscored that with the construction of feeder roads in the rural areas with the resource from the HIPC fund, the lean season was full of food and urged the residents not only to cooperate with the contractor but also support the NPP since the NPP is committed to good governance and is concerned with the plight of the ordinary Ghanaians.

The MP however asked Nii Adotei to put the request in writing to enable her forward it to Parliament for consideration.

Mr. Abednego Teteh-Tettey, the assemblyman for Gbebu Electoral area, whose outfit is bent on supporting the MP to accomplish most of the developmental projects in the area, implored the residents to support the projects with prayer.

Sounding like a minister of the gospel, Mr. Tetteh said "with prayer and supplication through Jesus Christ, who is always in the boat of all believers, all the developmental projects will be achieved."