A Deputy Minister of Finance and Member of Parliament for the Ejisu Constituency, John Ampontuah Kumah, has refuted claims of land grabbing accusations leveled against him by an elderly woman in a viral video currently in circulation on social media. In the video, the said elderly woman alleged among others that, Hon. Kumah has forcefully taken over lands meant for government projects for his parochial gain.
However, in a statement, Hon. John Kumah insisted that the allegations are baseless and unfounded, explaining that he promised the people of Ejusu during his campaign to establish an asphaltic plant in the constituency to create jobs and address the road deficiencies in the area. He reiterated that the acquisition of the land was purposely for the establishment of this plant and not for any personal gains.
“As many of you are aware, during my campaign to become the MP for Ejisu, I made a solemn promise to the people that I would establish an asphaltic plant to address the road deficiencies in the constituency,” he noted
“In the pursuit of fulfilling this commitment, I approached my family chief, Nana Kofi Agyei, for a piece of land for the construction of the asphaltic plant which he gifted to me in the presence of other family members after the Aseda customs were followed. The intention behind this gift was never for personal gain but to uplift the community and improve the lives of its residents through job creation and enhanced infrastructure.
“The progress of the asphaltic plant construction, which has reached an impressive 90% completion, stands as a testament to my unwavering dedication to fulfilling the promises made to my constituents during my campaign,” he added.
Hon. John Kumah further opined that some disgruntled family members have expressed dissatisfaction with the gift of land received for the purposes of development and have taken to insults and attacks on his person.
“Regrettably, it has come to my attention that a few members of the family are expressing discontent over the gift of the land by the family chief. A land they have no rightful claim to. I acknowledge their right to have differing opinions, but strongly oppose their unwarranted insults and attacks directed at me for having forcefully taken their Lands,” he lamented.
The MP further stated that, he has reported the case to the Ejisu Police and the Head of family for action against the individuals seen in the viral video for defaming his character.
Hon. Kumah lamented about the constant attacks on him as he continues to position the constituency for total growth and development and called on the general public and the media to disregard the content of the viral video as it is baseless and untrue.
“It is very disheartening that in my quest to address a major challenge in the constituency, I have rather been attacked and vilified for an act I have not taken. I would like to urge the public to disregard the content of the video and admonish the media of the defamatory comments in the video and their exposure to legal actions if it is believed that they are deliberately spreading the content of the video,” he advised.