The opposition party is demanding accountability from government especially on the  procurement process.

It also charged government to give the NDC credit for starting the initiative.

But Mr. Assafuah expressed shock at the conduct of the opposition party.

“The NDC always claims they started projects when they did not. You won’t get any glory today or tomorrow with these arguments; you are being disingenuous. If you are afraid of God, you will come out and admit that you didn’t start DRIP” he said in an interview on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen programme Friday.

Mr. Assafuah clarified that, the machines provided under DRIP come with a two-year warranty, which means it is the supplier’s responsibility to maintain them.

“The government will ensure fuel is provided for all the machines,” he said.

He explained that, DRIP is funded through the District Assembly Common Fund and supported by donor partners.

The initiative is designed to enhance road construction, improve access to markets, and reduce transportation costs, particularly benefiting agricultural communities.

Mr. Assafuah said better rural road networks will help reduce post-harvest losses, contributing to economic stability and food security in farming areas.

The newly launched DRIP aims to revitalize road infrastructure across Ghana by allocating essential earth-moving equipment, such as caterpillars, bulldozers, and concrete mixers, to Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs).

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He made the call on Monday during his vetting before the Appointments Committee of Parliament.

Mr Assafuah noted that, in most countries around West Africa, Ghana seems to be the only country that is not electing its MMDCEs. 

He said Article 243 of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana allowed for the election of MMDCEs and that Article 55 disallowed the appointment of MMDCEs on partisan lines. 

“My opinion is that there should be an election of MMDCEs, so as to ensure proper accountability to the persons that elect these MMDCEs,” he said  

This, he said, was because it brought about a social contract between the elected and the electorate.

Touching on the menace of illegal mining (galamsey), the deputy minister-designate said the government was doing well despite the numerous challenges it was facing in its efforts to combat it. 

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