We wish to react to the article as captioned above on behalf of our Association, Mafi Devime Development Association. We wish to state in unambiguous and categorical terms that the entire membership of our Association distance itself from the unwarranted attack on our Hon. Member of Parliament for the Central Constituency. We deduced from the writer’s standpoint that he is very ignorant about how the local governance system works and the role of members of parliament in a democratic dispensation. The writer missed very basic but important facts that I need to draw his attention to. We say here and now that our reaction to the article is not to suggest that Devime and or Central Tongu does not need development projects but then issues ought to be put in their right perspectives in order to correct the erroneous impression created about our MP and the Constituency. In the first place, as far as we are concerned, there is no record anywhere which has indicted our MP and for that matter has no tainted record as the writer sought to portray. We think we ought to laud and urge our MP on for the good work he is doing in spite of the odds. Secondly, the writer and his cohorts failed to seek information from the right sources and that is why they are ignorantly propagating misinformation. If the writer and his allies care to know, the MP has donated generously towards the building of the new kindergarten block in his hometown, Mafi Devime. The MP even donated packets of roofing sheet for the completion of the project in question and even promised more assistance as far as education is concerned. This is just to mention but a few. If the writer has done due diligence, he would have been informed by the District Assembly about projects initiated and being carried out by the MP single-handedly or in collaboration with the Assembly. Thirdly, it is worth noting that the road from Mepe through Devime-Dove to link the Sogakope-Accra main road at Kpotame had been constructed long ago and has been re-graveled through the help of the MP. If the writer is referring to the tarring of the road, then we wish to inform him that roads are awarded on contract based on certain criterion and procedures. You do not just usurp your powers because you are the Road Minister and then award roads on contract without following due process. Apart from the fact that roads are awarded on merit taking into cognizance the socio-economic importance of the place, a national tender committee must approve of them. If the writer had taken the trouble to verify this, he would have been abreast with the extent to which lobbying has been done with reference to the road. Fourthly, the current trend in sustainable development demands that policies and programmes are community owned and should be gender sensitive. That is to say that the communities initiate their own projects so that they can better appreciate and be responsible for them. We would be most grateful if the writer and his allies in the spirit of nationalism point to just a programme they have initiated within their communities and asked for the support of the MP and he refused to assist. The writer’s uninformed position shows that they never participate in any community development or brainstorming sessions within the constituency. Self-help projects as the name suggest are projects initiated and owned by people at the grassroots. So we do not see how a law-maker could be accused of not initiating such projects to empower poor villagers. Provision of development projects fall under the ambit of the District Assemblies who assess the development needs of every community in relation to their available resources. As far as we know, the MPs assist in the realization of those projects and so no one can fault them for not initiating projects and programmes. The writer talks about the youth being despondent, frustrated etc but the question is what are we doing to add value to ourselves so as to equally compete in the job market. Are we being ingenious and innovative enough in order to be part of the global village. Are we looking for favours because our MP is the Road Minister. How many of us qualify for scholarship but never accessed it. Are the resources sufficient to meet the ever increasing demand. What alternative measures are we adopting in order to attain our future set goals. We must find answers to these questions and stop the blame game. We can say without reservation that our MP and Minister earned his enviable position by dint of hard work, selflessness, dedication to duty and honesty. We are not saying the MP is an angel but we must confess that he is doing his best under trying and a difficult circumstance to make sure our constituency earns her due. Let us collaborate and help the constituency with objectively verifiable programmes and policies. Democracy thrives on exchange of ideas but not the demonization and assassination of character. Let us unite against the common enemy which is poverty, hunger and disease. Let us give the MP the needed support to deliver the goods. We think the MP has not neglected the constituency, neither do we think he is an enemy as was chronicled by the writer. If the writer in his estimation feels the MP is slumbering, he can wake him up through a very civil and decorous exchange. DIVINE KOFI GLI SECRETARY MAFI DEVIME DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION MOBILE: 0244-766998