Assembly members of the Sunyani West District Assembly on Friday finally voted to confirm the President’s nominee, Martin Obeng as District Chief Executive (DCE) of the assembly after a second confirmation process.
All the 54 members were present and voted overwhelmingly for him to be confirmed as the DCE for the area.
He polled 49 votes, representing 90.7 per cent, whilst 5 dissented in a highly tensed process with heavy security presence to prevent what transpired during the first round of voting on the 17-05-17.
The confusion that rocked the first process forced authorities to postpone the exercise indefinitely because the nominee’s supporters felt the process was compromised as Martin Obeng fell short of the two-thirds votes by a single vote.
Of the 54 assembly members who voted, he obtained 35 of ‘Yes’ votes representing 64.8 per cent and 19 of ‘No’ votes falling short of the two-thirds majority requirement.
The situation infuriated his supporters to disrupted proceedings.
In the ensuing melee, the police attempt to restore calm by firing tear gas rather provoked them and hell broke loose as assembly members and dignitaries run for their lives.
Subsequently, some government appointees of the assembly had their appointments revoked last week.
The party, led by its Deputy General Secretary, Obiri Boahen accused them of showing bad faith by failing to endorse the president’s nominee for the area.
“They should revoke their appointments because they have betrayed the trust government has reposed in them and appointed them to the assembly. I think it will be justified to revoke their appointments before the next sitting to confirm the nominee”, he charged.
Mr. Martin Obeng’s confirmation brought joy and excitement to some physically challenged persons present to give moral support to the nominee.
Mr. Obeng in his victory speech thanked the President for nominating him and the Assembly members for the confidence reposed him and urged all, irrespective of their political affiliation to unite and contribute their quota for the development of the entire District.
The Regional Brong Ahafo Minister, Kwaku Asomah-Cheremeh commended the assembly members for endorsing the nominee and later swore him in office.
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By: Mashoud Kombat/citifmonline.com/Ghana