From Ernest Best Anane
At long last, the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) has elected Nana Adu Asare Mensah, Amakomhene of Kumasi, as the next Presiding Member, after the house had unsuccessfully tried to elect one over a period of one year.
The election of Nana Asare Mensah comes after nine attempts.
He polled 100 yes votes out of 123 Assembly Members present, with 22 members voting no. One vote was rejected.
The Ashanti File has gathered that Abraham Boadi and Michael Adusei Bonsu, the recent contenders for the position, had been prevailed upon by the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, to step down for another candidate to be elected, to help put the business of the Assembly on the right track.
Nana Adu Asare Mensah, Nana Mensah Bonsu, and Nana Kwame Bonsu, Otumfuo’s Linguist, came in as representatives of the traditional authority.
The three chiefs have since been sworn into office by a High Court judge, as members of the KMA.
In his acceptance speech, Nana Asare Mensah promised to execute his work without fear or favour, adding, he will not encourage any factionalism within the Assembly
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The Amakomhene is the fifth traditional ruler to have assumed the position of Presiding Member of the KMA since the inception of the District Assembly and decentralisation policy was initiated in 1998.
Previous presiding members were Nana Boakye Ansah Debrah, Asokore Mamponghene, Nana Nsiah Awuah, Baffour Adjei Kesse, alias Mr. Chris Kufuor, Adumhene, and Nana Owusu Apeasa II, the late Adubinsokese.
Mr. Michael Attaogye, Metropolitan Co-ordinating Director, commended the house for the effort in electing a Presiding Member at long last, and urged them to rub shoulders and develop Kumasi, devoid of partisanship.
Mr. John Alexander Ackon, Ashanti Regional Minister, who is the acting Mayor of Kumasi, commended Nananom, especially Manhyia, for the intervention, and tasked members of the Assembly to organise themselves and start business as soon as possible, for the development of Kumasi.
In his response, Nana Mensah Asare commended the members for the honour done him, and assured them that he will be a PM for all, to ensure the development of the city.
He promised tap the experiences of the old members to rebuild Kumasi.
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