Tema Central Member of Parliament, Charles Forson, has denied allegations of assaulting the driver of Tema Metropolitan Chief Executive, Ebi Bright. The allegations surfaced after Mr. Forson attempted to contact Mr. Bright over development projects in the municipality. According to Mr. Forson, the allegations are baseless and were made by Mr. Bright before Parliament’s Local Government and Rural Development Committee.
The dispute between the MP and the MCE centers on the release of the MP's share of the District Assemblies Common Fund. Mr. Bright had reportedly refused to approve the release of the funds, leading to a deterioration in relations between the two officials. Mr. Forson accused Mr. Bright of overstepping her mandate by interfering in the affairs of his office and the management of resources allocated to him as a Member of Parliament.
Mr. Forson emphasized that his responsibilities as a legislator are separate from those of the MCE, particularly regarding the administration and use of the MP’s share of the Common Fund. He stated that he has an obligation to undertake projects for his constituents using the MP's Common Fund, and that Mr. Bright has no control over it. This, according to Mr. Forson, has led to a misunderstanding between his office and the Tema Metropolitan Assembly.
The Tema Central MP further alleged that documents submitted to Mr. Bright’s office for pre-approval of projects to be funded from his allocation had remained unsigned. This, he claimed, has prevented the documents from being forwarded to the relevant department for processing and payment. According to Mr. Forson, this has been an issue since last year, with the MCE failing to append her signature to the memos.
Mr. Forson's comments come amid growing disagreement between his office and the Tema Metropolitan Assembly over the handling of projects and the release of funds intended for development initiatives in the constituency. The MP accused Mr. Bright of micromanaging and destroying the property and businesses of almost everybody in Tema. He urged Mr. Bright to focus on her own responsibilities rather than interfering in his office.
The development has sparked concerns about the impact of the disagreement on development projects in the constituency. Residents and stakeholders are watching the situation closely, hoping that a resolution will be reached soon. The disagreement has also raised questions about the relationship between MPs and MCEs, particularly regarding the administration of funds and projects at the local level.
The issue remains unresolved, with both parties yet to engage in a constructive dialogue to address the concerns. Mr. Forson has invited Mr. Bright to visit Tema to witness the impact of her actions, while also calling for a separation of their duties. The situation is likely to continue to attract attention from the public and stakeholders in the coming days.
Key points
- Tema Central MP Charles Forson denies assault allegations made by MCE Ebi Bright.
- The dispute centers on the release of the MP's share of the District Assemblies Common Fund.
- The disagreement has sparked concerns about the impact on development projects in the constituency.
