Obrempong Antwi Peasa I, the Gyaasehene of Akyem Kotoku Traditional Area has praised the former Minister for Education, Science and Sports, Hon Yaw Osafo Maafo, who is also the MP for Akim Oda for the invaluable contribution he has made towards the upliftment of the people in the area. According to him, the Oda MP has done a lot for the constituency and he should not have bowed out of parliament at this crucial moment. He was, however, hopeful that an equally good candidate would be found to replace him to continue with the good work he started. Obrempong Antwi Peasa made these remarks when Hon. Osafo Maafo paid a courtesy cal1 on him to officially inform him about his decision to bow out of the next parliamentary election. The visit was also meant to thank the chief and his people for the support they have given him so far as their representative in parliament. The Gyaasehene noted that apart from a number of projects that the MP initiated to help his people, he was also voted as one of the best performing finance ministers in Africa, an honour he thinks did not only go to the MP but also the Oda constituency as well. The Gyaasehene was of the view that if it was left to him alone, he would have asked Hon. Osafo Maafo to continue with his good work, but he has to respect his personal decision not to contest again and therefore wished him all the best in his endeavours. Speaker after speaker at the function expressed regret about the decision by the Hon. MP to bow out of the NPP primaries. They were however happy that the MP has decided to join the camp of the NPP f1agbearer to ensure that the NPP wins the December 7 general elections. The Gyaasehene promised to honour Osafo Maafo at the appropriate time. Hon. Osafo Maafo, on his part commended the chief and the people in the constituency for the massive support they gave him. He noted that but for their support, he would not have achieved much both in and outside the country. He reiterated his full commitment and loyalty to his party and pledged his unflinching support to any person who would be nominated by the delegates to contest the Oda Parliamentary seat. He was of the view that with the numerous achievements and strides made by the constituency as a result of the good policies of the NPP under his able leadership, he has no doubt in his mind whatsoever that whoever is nominated would win the election to become the next Member of Parliament for the constituency. He therefore called on all members of the party to resolve their differences and forgive one another and forge ahead in unity. Upon assumption of office as the MP for Akim Oda, Hon. Yaw Osafo Maafo embarked upon a number of projects which include the construction and refurbishment of classroom blocks, teacher accommodation, Clinics and Nurses' quarters, electrification, construction of market sheds, bus-stops, social and recreational centres. LP Gas facilities, water projects and a host of others. These development projects were spread across all sixty towns and villages in the constituency. About thirty (30) under-privileged students of both secondary and tertiary institutions also benefited from the scholarship scheme instituted by the MP, while almost fifty (50) people have also been assisted by him to gain employment in various institutions. Another fifty (50) also benefited from the MP's Skill Training programme, which seeks to provide skills like tailoring, hairdressing, etc, to the youth. Some of these projects were financed by the European Union, DANIDA, SIF, from his own efforts and from the MP's Common Fund. Meanwhile Osafo Maafo has left for Kampala, Uganda to participate in the first ever global forum on human resources for health. Source: The Chronicle