On 8th January 2019, it was alleged that the MP for Krowor Elizabeth Aforley Quaye, who doubles as the Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture ordered the arrest and detention of 3 Assembly members: Hon Lawrence Borquaye, Hon Alfred Afotey Ahisah Laryea and Hon Robert Oko Odiko for allegedly destroying a LEKMA billboard erected within the Krowor Municipality.
The arrest and detention was made prior to the confirmation of the MCE nominee for Krowor Municipal Assembly Joshua Bortey on his fourth attempt. According to sources, the motive for the arrest was to prevent the trio from partaking in the confirmation of the MCE nominee since the MP feels the rejection of her errand boy on three occasions where orchestrated by them.
When the MCE of LEKMA, Hon Naa Adjeley Twum-Gyamrah was contacted about the arrest and detention of the three assembly members, she denied any knowledge and involvement. She also indicated that the issue can be resolved by the assemblies without causing the arrest and detention of the trio.
On the part of the assembly members, they feel it is their right to defend the municipality and Krowor as a whole, thus they will not allow LEKMA to encroach on their land. Also, they believe the Assembly depends much on Internally Generated Fund(IGF) for developmental projects. Therefore they will not allow LEKMA to take proceeds of projects and revenue which does not fall within their jurisdiction.
Instead of the MP and KROMA to commend and reward the trio for their heroics, She rather ignored the interest of the people of Krowor to pursued her selfish interest of getting her Darling boy confirmed as MCE. Hence ordered the arrest and detention of the three assembly members who she feels are a threat to her choice’s confirmation.
The three were charged and sent to court on the 9th January 2019. While the public attention was on the trio, the MP and her Cohorts organized the election of the MCE nominee under heavy police protection without the presence of the presiding member of KROMA, Hon Romeo Sarfo. The MP succeeded in confirming her Darling boy as MCE by only 9 out of 18 assembly members during the election. 6 out of the 9 assembly members present at the time of the confirmation are Government appointees.
The court has finished the case and verdict passed. The court charge the trio GH₵6000 for causing damages to LEKMA property/repair the damaged billboard or face a prison sentence of 3months each. In order not to serve jail terms, Hon Lawrence Borquaye, Hon Alfred Afotey Ahisah Laryea and Hon Robert Oko Odiko have erected a new LEKMA billboard within Krowor Jurisdiction. The three assembly members have been acquainted and discharged by the court for erecting the damaged billboard.
Speaking to Hon Lawrence Borquaye, He said: “Thus far the Lord has brought us. We did our best to secure what is good for Krowor but the leaders including the MP, MCE and other opinion leaders are not interested in what belongs to Krowor. We ended in cell and went through a long court process. We were left with no option than to throw in the towel and erect the LEKMA billboard on Krowor Land and call the place LEDZOKUKU”
Story by: Nii Ayitey Armah (Scientific Herbalist)
