Exactly one year ago, Mr Eric Edem Agbana took the Oath of Office as a Member of the Ninth Parliament of the Fourth Republic of Ghana, representing the chiefs and people of the Ketu North Constituency.
The occasion was rich in ceremony and symbolism, but beneath the pageantry lay a deep awareness of the weight of responsibility that the oath imposed.
One year on, while many mark the anniversary with nostalgia, Mr Agbana says he has chosen a path of sober reflection anchored in accountability, service, and measurable results.
Although the precincts of Parliament were not entirely unfamiliar—having previously served there while working with Mr Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, he noted that the experience this time was fundamentally different.
“I entered Parliament not as an assistant, but as a legislator entrusted with a mandate from the people. That distinction alone brings a profound sense of duty,” he reflected.
Even before becoming an MP, Mr Agbana said he had a clear understanding of the demands of parliamentary service.
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He recounted observing first-hand the personal sacrifices of his former boss, including sleepless nights, financial strain, and relentless constituency engagement.
“Parliamentary representation is far from glamorous for those who intend to make a real impact. It is often a thankless task, but it is deeply fulfilling when you can sleep with a clear conscience, knowing you gave your very best,” he said.
A Difficult Journey to Parliament
Mr Agbana described his journey to Parliament as one that tested his conviction, resilience, and loyalty to party ideals. He contested one of the most fiercely fought primaries in the constituency, facing opposition that far exceeded his expectations.
“Many I expected to support me turned away. Very few believed I stood a chance,” he recalled.
Opinion polls, he said, consistently suggested defeat, and barely two weeks to the election. A senior party official allegedly urged him to step down or face consequences, including exclusion from future appointments.
“My response was simple and unwavering: God is the Lifter of men,” he said.
One Vote That Changed Everything
Against all odds, Mr Agbana won the primaries by a single vote, an outcome he described as both humbling and instructive.
That lone vote became the subject of scrutiny and was referred to the party’s National Headquarters for determination. After the due process, the vote was validated as legitimate.
“It was a powerful reminder that in a democracy, every voice counts. That one vote was a master stroke from God Himself,” he said.
Rather than breeding entitlement, the experience reinforced his belief that every constituent mattered, and that leadership must be grounded in humility and service.
Choosing Unity Over Celebration
Winning the primaries, Mr Agbana noted, was only the first hurdle. The more demanding task was rebuilding unity within the party.
“Winning is difficult. Uniting a divided front afterwards is even harder,” he said.
He said egos had to be managed; wounds healed, and pride set aside to present a united front ahead of the general election. Rather than celebrating his victory, he chose reconciliation.
By the height of the general election campaign, he said Ketu North had emerged as a model of unity, with executives, volunteers, and stakeholders committing wholeheartedly to the cause.
The people responded with an emphatic endorsement, delivering over 87 percent of the votes in the general election, an outcome Mr Agbana described as a mandate for a new style of leadership based on engagement, respect, and solutions.
A Year Without Pause
Since assuming office, Mr Agbana said there had been no pause or honeymoon period.
“Governance for us is not ceremonial. It is practical, urgent, and solution-oriented,” he stressed.
He expressed gratitude to God, his family, financiers, party executives, volunteers, and especially the youth who continue to sacrifice for what he termed the “Ketu North Project.”
Inside Parliament
Mr Agbana described Parliament as an intensive learning environment, noting that daily experience in the Chamber had taught him more than years of academic study.
Serving under the Speaker, Mr Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, he said, was a rare privilege.
“As a young MP and a backbencher, I am focused on learning the ropes and mastering the nuances of parliamentary work,” he said, adding that his guiding principles were to be prepared, present, and purposeful.
Through committee work, legislative engagement, and policy advocacy, he said he had consistently projected the interests of Ketu North.
Development at the Constituency Level
At the constituency level, Mr Agbana outlined progress across several key sectors: Education;
Over GH¢1.3 million has been disbursed under a flagship scholarship scheme, benefiting 420 tertiary students.
Seven GETFund projects have been secured, with emphasis on ICT infrastructure and rehabilitation. Laptops have also been donated to Senior High Schools.
Community Development
More than 45 community development projects at various stages of completion have received support.
Health; All major health facilities in the constituency have benefitted from equipment donations or upgrades. Health outreach programmes, including free eye surgeries, have reached thousands, with over 900 beneficiaries recorded.
Water and Sanitation
Mechanised boreholes have been provided in 20 communities, alongside the distribution of 5,000-litre poly tanks to 15 communities.
Agriculture and Environmental Management; Farmers have benefited from the supply of over 7,000 bags of fertiliser. Through advocacy, a Municipal Secretariat of the Environmental Protection Agency has been established in Ketu North for the first time.
Infrastructure and Security
The ‘LightUpKetuNorth project’ has initiated functional street lighting on major roads and streets. Advocacy efforts have also resulted in several roads in the constituency featuring the national budget for reshaping.
Human Capital Development; The Ketu North Skills and Apprenticeship Programme (KN-SAP) has been launched to provide TVET and apprenticeship support to 500 young people, with job placements already secured for many.
Sports and Creative Arts
Grassroots sports and creative talents have been nurtured through scouting and support initiatives. The ‘EdemAgbanaCarnival’, now the Volta Region’s largest annual music concert, has provided a platform for both established and emerging artistes, with acts such as Nature Drip and Real Keddy cited as success stories.
Looking Ahead
Mr Agbana described the past year as “twelve months without rest,” not as a complaint, but as evidence of commitment.
“This journey has never been mine alone. It belongs to the people of Ketu North who believed, partnered, and continued to hold me to high standards,” he said.
Looking ahead, he said efforts were underway to deepen partnerships with development partners, institutions, and individuals to scale up impact across the constituency.
“The work continues. The commitment stands. And Ketu North will keep moving forward,” he concluded.
GNA