Outgoing Sekondi MP Andrew Egyapa Mercer has highlighted financial difficulties as a major factor affecting the government’s ability to deliver key infrastructure projects in the constituency.

Speaking on Joy FM after losing his parliamentary seat, he admitted that several projects were delayed or abandoned due to the government’s constrained finances, largely tied to Ghana’s debt challenges.

“Our finances do not allow us to borrow. Almost 90% of government-funded projects in this country are through debt. If you are unable to go to the market to raise funding, you can’t implement these projects,” Mercer said.

He pointed to the deteriorating state of the Sekondi Market, which he acknowledged was a significant concern for constituents.

Although the project was included in the government’s Medium-Term Framework from 2022 to 2024, financial limitations prevented its execution.

“You’ll explain, you’ll show them the document, but all they want is the market,” Mercer lamented.

The stalled PTC Interchange and the Market Circle redevelopment were also cited as examples of the government’s struggles to execute planned projects.

Mr Mercer noted that the financial challenges were compounded by ongoing debt restructuring efforts, which further limited access to funding.

“They see Market Circle being reconstructed, which has stopped because of the problems with the debt situation. The same applies to the PTC Interchange,” he said.

Despite these setbacks, Mr Mercer defended the government’s efforts, highlighting ongoing projects like the redevelopment of Effia Nkwanta Regional Hospital and the construction of a new teaching hospital.

“The Effia Nkwanta Regional Hospital is being redeveloped. Many roads have been done. Many projects have been undertaken in the constituency,” Mr Mercer stated, though he acknowledged that these achievements were insufficient to counter voter frustrations.