KMA elects chief as PM
Nana Adu Asare Mensah
The Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) has finally elected Nana Adu Asare Mensah as the next Presiding Member (PM) ending several months of stalemate.
Being the only candidate in the election, he polled 100 YES votes out of the gathered 123 Assembly Members, solidifying his candidature. At least 22 members voted NO with one vote being rejected.
The election of Mr Asare Mensah as the PM comes after six attempts to elect the second most power person after the KMA Chief Executive Officer (CEO) resulted in confusion, infighting and disorder.
The last candidates namely Abraham Boadi and Michael Aduesi Bonsu were called upon to step down for another candidate to be elected since they were not able to amass the requisite votes to stand elected.
After series of meetings with the Asantehene, the two main candidates agreed to step down after taking an oath before the Ashanti King to support a compromised candidate in the person of Mr Asare Mensah who doubles as the Amakomhene.
Some Assembly members were also summoned to the Manhyia Palace to meet with Otumfuor Osei Tutu II. At the end they promised to back the Amakomhene for the impasse to come to a close.
Thursday’s election which served as a confirmation of the candidature of Mr Asare Mensah helps to put the business of the Metropolis on the right track.
A High Court judge swore in new members of the KMA including three new members replaced by the Manhyia Palace namely Nana Adu Asare Mensah, Nana Mensah Bonsu, and Nana Kwame Bonsu who is Otunfuor’s linguist.
Delivering his acceptance speech, Mr Asare Mensah promised to execute his work without fear or favour, adding he will not encourage faction within the Assembly.
He encouraged the Assembly members gathered to discourage attitudes that are likely to affect the smooth running of the KMA.
Source:otecfm102.9,Kumasi;story by Isaac Nsiah Foster.
