Published: February 19, 2025
GBARNGA – Bong County Development Officer Sedekei Kromah has come under intense scrutiny from the public and the county administration after claiming that the soon-to-be-completed administrative complex would serve as the official residence for top county officials rather than accommodate guests, as initially proposed.
Kromah’s statement directly contradicts the facility’s intended purpose, raising concerns among local authorities and residents.
Last year, the Bong County Council approved a budget of US$300,000 for the renovation of the Superintendent’s Compound, including the construction of an administrative complex to host visiting guests. However, at the recent dedication ceremony of the refurbished superintendent’s residence, Kromah made a startling revelation, stating that the multi-story building would house senior county officials, including the County Development Officer, County Finance Officer, and County Administrative Officer.
“We decided to construct an administrative complex to accommodate the County Development Officer, the County Finance Officer, and the Administrative Officer. The erection is ongoing,” Kromah asserted.
He further argued that the facility would provide a dignified space for current and future county officials to perform their duties. His comments, however, have sparked mixed reactions across the county.
The statement has created confusion within the local government structure. Bong County Finance Officer Silas Tokpah swiftly clarified that the county administration’s initial plan was to construct a guest house, as approved by the County Council, contradicting Kromah’s claims. Tokpah reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to executing the project as originally intended.
“The statement made by Mr. Kromah is inaccurate and does not reflect the position of the county administration,” Tokpah stressed.
Meanwhile, public reaction has been divided. Some citizens, calling into local radio programs, accused the administration of building the complex for its officials while attempting to downplay Kromah’s remarks. Others questioned why certain officials were dismissing the development officer’s assertion as false if the plan had not changed.
Even before this controversy, Superintendent Hawa Norris’s administration had faced criticism from advocates and citizens over the allocation of substantial funds for projects perceived to benefit government officials rather than the broader community.
Following mounting public pressure, Kromah attempted to clarify his remarks, stating that his comments had been taken out of context. He, however, refused to retract his statement, insisting he had never explicitly said the complex would be used exclusively as an official residence for himself and two other officials.
“The county administration has unanimously decided that the building will be used to lodge government officials and other high-profile guests visiting the county,” Kromah later explained.
Despite this clarification, lingering doubts remain among residents regarding the true intent of the project, with many calling for greater transparency and accountability in the county’s development initiatives.
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