Davis Ansah Opoku – Adomonline.com

Bawku Conflict: Give peace a chance – Mpraeso MP to youth

Faridatu Seidu — Fri, 11 Apr 2025 09:31:15 +0000

The Member of Parliament for Mpraeso, Davis Ansah Opoku, has called on the youth of Bawku to prioritize peace following the recent violence in the area.

Speaking on Metro TV on Friday, April 11, Mr. Opoku expressed deep concern over the ongoing conflict in Bawku, which he said continues to impede the region’s development and the future prospects of its younger generation.

The MP noted that the unrest is not only costing lives and property but also hindering progress in crucial sectors such as education and infrastructure.

“Bawku is lagging behind in terms of development,” he said, urging stakeholders to reflect on the long-term impact of the conflict.

Highlighting education as an example, Mr. Opoku pointed out the disparity between the youth of Bawku and those from more peaceful regions.

He stressed that the youth in Bawku deserve equal opportunities, just like their counterparts in Accra, especially when sitting for exams like the BECE or pursuing higher education.

“The kids in Bawku will sit for the same BECE with the kids in Accra. The kids in Bawku want to attend the same university with the kids in Accra,” he emphasized.

Concluding his remarks, Mr. Opoku urged the youth of Bawku to give peace a chance, stressing that only through peace can the town achieve development, education, and national inclusion.

He also called on traditional leaders and community elders to play a pivotal role in ending the cycle of violence.

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NDC fulfilling promises isn’t an achievement – Mpraeso MP

Joseph Odotei — Fri, 28 Mar 2025 11:37:25 +0000

The Member of Parliament (MP) for Mpraeso, Davis Ansah Opoku, has stated that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government should not be overly commended for merely fulfilling its manifesto promises.

Speaking on Citi FM, Opoku argued that delivering on campaign pledges is a basic duty of any government and should not be considered an extraordinary achievement.

“For instance, if you say you were going to appoint 60 ministers and you do that, for me, it is not an achievement that you expect that I applaud because it was contained in your manifesto,” he said.

He emphasized that real success should be measured by policies that improve the lives of citizens, such as stabilizing the cedi and addressing economic hardships.

“What matters most to me is that my people are comfortable. If they implement policies that ensure that, I will applaud them,” he added.

Opoku also noted that policies like the establishment of a Gold Board and the abolition of the E-levy should not be hastily praised or criticized but rather assessed over time.

“I want to give them some space to operate and see how the year ends before making an assessment,” he stated.

Prosecute Ken Ofori-Atta if… – Mpraeso MP to OSP

Faridatu Seidu — Thu, 13 Feb 2025 09:16:44 +0000

The Member of Parliament for Mpraeso, Davis Ansah Opoku, has expressed support for investigations into alleged corruption involving former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta.

However, while emphasizing the need for transparency and accountability, he also cautioned against actions that could undermine due process.

His remarks follow the Office of the Special Prosecutor’s (OSP) recent designation of Ofori-Atta as a fugitive from justice in its investigations into four major cases, including allegations related to the National Cathedral Project and the Strategic Mobilisation Limited (SML) revenue engagement.

Speaking in an interview on Channel One TV on Wednesday, February 12, Opoku voiced concerns over how the OSP is handling the case.

He specifically questioned the decision to label the former minister as a fugitive, arguing that such an approach might compromise fairness and justice.

“I am not here to defend anyone accused of wrongdoing. Public officers must govern with integrity, and if there is sufficient evidence against the former Finance Minister, he must face the law. However, the process must be conducted fairly, upholding the fundamental rights of every Ghanaian,” he stated.

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Electing MMDCEs will allow MPs to focus on legislative duties – Mpraeso MP

Dorcas Abedu-Kennedy — Fri, 24 Jan 2025 09:37:10 +0000

MP for Mpraeso, Davis Ansah Opoku, has called for a constitutional amendment to enable the election of Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs).

In a speech delivered in Parliament, Mr. Opoku argued that the current system places an undue burden on MPs, who are expected to fulfil both legislative and development responsibilities, thereby detracting from their primary role as lawmakers.

“MPs are legislators, not development agents. However, due to the inability to elect MMDCEs, constituents often demand developmental projects from their MPs, leading to unmet expectations and voter dissatisfaction,” he explained.

He emphasised that the election of MMDCEs would decentralise developmental responsibilities, thereby allowing MPs to focus more effectively on lawmaking and oversight.

Mr. Opoku also advocated for a nationwide campaign to enhance civic education, to better inform constituents about the distinct roles of MPs.

“Reforming local governance will not only improve service delivery but also preserve the integrity of Parliament,” he said, urging Parliament to engage in consultations on the proposed constitutional amendment.

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I support dual citizenship holders becoming MPs – NPP MP

Dorcas Abedu-Kennedy — Tue, 04 Jul 2023 14:49:39 +0000

Mpraeso MP Davis Ansah Opoku and a member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) says he is in support of dual citizenship holders becoming legislators in Ghana.

People of dual citizenship should not be denied the opportunity to contribute to the development of their country, according to the politician.

“For me, I support and I’m pushing for dual citizens to sit in parliament. That person should not be denied the opportunity to contribute to the development of our country,” he said on JoyNews’ AM show on Monday.

Emphasising his position on the subject, Mr Opoku explained that even the former Prime Minister of the UK, Boris Johnson was a dual citizenship holder; Canadian and US even while serving in that capacity.

“Boris Johnson, he was the Prime Minister of the UK. While serving as PM, he was a US citizen as well. He holds a Canadian citizenship as well as a US citizenship,” he added.

The lawmaker, therefore, said he welcomes the election of the National Democratic Congress’ (NDC) James Gyakye Quayson who has just won a bye-election.

Mr Gyakye Quayson was ousted from parliament on grounds of being a dual citizenship holder while contesting as a parliamentary candidate in the 2020 election.

This is against the country’s constitution which bars any dual citizenship holders from occupying public offices.

But Mr Opoku says such a provision should be revised to give chance to people to contribute to the growth of the country.

Also speaking on the show, MP for Odododiodio constituency, Edwin Nii Lante Vanderpuye of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) also called for a revision of the provision.

He lamented the reliance on old laws on dual citizenship despite parliament having passed new laws on same.

According to him, the times when laws barring dual citizenship holders from occupying public offices were established have changed.

“The times when that law, that constitutional provision was made has changed, whether we like it or not,” he said.

Conversations on dual citizenship holders have evolved recently. People have expressed worry over constitutional provisions which bar persons with such identity from holding public offices.

Many have argued that such persons of which many live in the diaspora contribute hugely to the development of the country and as such must be accorded the support to occupy public offices when they want to.

Presently, a parliamentarian was ousted due to a ruling by a court that he ought not to have contested in the previous general election due to his dual citizenship identity.

The Court, therefore, announced his constituency seat vacant for which a by-election was held subsequently.

Having renounced his Canadian citizenship, Mr Quayson then entered the race once again and won it this time by a higher margin compared to his previous numbers.

Following this, some, including chiefs have advised that the prosecution should be discontinued because according to them, Mr Gyakye Quayson’s re-election is a reiteration of the choice of the constituency.