This, according to him, will help bridge the yawning developmental gaps among districts in the region and render responsive social services to citizens.

Mr. Bukari said priority should be given to infrastructure, education, health, agriculture, water and sanitation, as well as enterprise development.

[contextly_sidebar id=”WrNaTv6pPCPUP7oR36gVUte48rdAWsDr”]He noted that assemblies could initiate and execute game-changing projects that meet the needs of citizen without depending greatly on central government through strategic revenue mobilization at the local level.

Mr. Bukari urged Municipal and District Assemblies to initiate innovative strategies to generate local revenue by reviving their revenue departments to generate data on sub-district structures for revenue mobilization.

“We need to get data on buildings, banks, filling stations, billboards, and anybody doing business in the districts must pay rates to the assembly to propel its development,” he said.

As assemblies, we have so many responsibilities to perform and if we don’t do them, the public will blame us and we can only do that by improving revenue mobilization. So I urge all chief executives and coordinating directors to equip their revenue mobilization departments to realize this target.”

Mr. Bukari added that the Regional Coordinating Council will soon organize a forum to share experiences and best strategies that, when adopted, could increase the revenue of assemblies.

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By: Frederick Awuni/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Prioritize 3 key projects annually – U/E Minister to MDAs appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

He attributed the success to the diligence of government’s task-force known as Operation Cowleg.

A combined team of police and military personnel are currently in the Municipality to evict the herdsmen and their cattle.

[contextly_sidebar id=”HGqjPOEf7lpIVmhOY1Q8GkkjEzbomvEu”]Speaking to Citi News on the work of the task-force, Francis Oti Boateng said they have recorded some progress in the last few weeks.

“It’s a huge progress that we are making, but until we see no cattle on our land, I cannot say that we’ve won the fight. But I can tell that we estimated over 45,000 cattle on our land, and I can tell that at the moment almost half of them are gone, and we are making a lot of progress at the moment,” the DCE added.

Whiles majority of the cattle were taken out unharmed, there are reports that nearly 2000 of them were killed.

Background

Following complaints of alleged atrocities being committed by nomadic herdsmen and the destruction of farms in Agogo in the Ashanti Region and parts of the Eastern Region, government re-launched Operation Cow leg which comprised police and military personnel tasked to flush out the herders and their cattle from those areas.

In Agogo, four security personnel including three military officers and a police officer, who had been deployed to the area to evict the herdsmen, were shot and injured by an unknown assailant following the renewed government efforts to address the long-standing conflict.

There were reports of herdsmen fleeing the area amid complaints of the wanton killing of cattle by the task-force.

A cattle owner in Agogo, who spoke to Citi News, said he lost over 70 of his cattle to the task-force, and he had to beg the government to give him more time to move all his livestock from the area.

Recently, 200 additional personnel were deployed to Agogo and Sekyere Afram Plains districts after some military and police officers were shot at Agogo.

Operation Cow leg can’t solve herdsmen menace 

But an International Relations Analyst, Dr. Vladimir Antwi Danso, has insisted that Operation Cow leg is bound to fail again.

According to him, those are just knee-jerk approaches to the issue which needs proper solution such as ranching.

“It is one of the kinetic ways of solving a problem using full force. But this is not the first time we have operation cow leg and I believe that is not the way of resolving it. Maybe in the interim, the specific Agogo situation yes, but what about all over Ghana?”

“It’s about time we started ranching system. The breeding of cattle in Ghana must have some modernity to it,” he said.

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By: Farida Shaibu/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Over 20,000 cattle ‘flushed out’ of Agogo – MCE appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

“When I came [into office], I found that almost 60% of the schools run the shift system. It is my vision to end the shift system or to abolish the shift system, and that’s the reason why I am putting up these school buildings to make sure we are able to solve that issue,’ he said.

He added that, “I have given myself a timeline that by 2020, I should be able to end the shift system in this municipality.”

He made this known during a sod cutting ceremony for a six unit classroom block at Kokrobite. The six unit classroom block is to complement the only existing school in the community.

This followed a sod cutting for the renovation of a six unit classroom block at the Domeabra Methodist Basic School.

Both projects are estimated at about GHC 700,000, and are expected to be completed in the next four months.

The shift system allows students to attend classes in turns . They normally attend classes in the morning or afternoon.

The MCE’s predecessor, Jerry Akwei Thompson, failed to deliver on a similar promise he made in 2014 after significant efforts were made in that regard.

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By: Michael Ogbodu/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post I’ll abolish shift system in Ga South schools – MCE appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

According to him Kumasi is strategically placed for investment, “in terms of its geographical location, socio-cultural diversity, small-scale business opportunities and the booming transport industry.”

Mr. Antwi was presenting investment opportunities to some high profile Chinese delegation from the Wenzhou Province when they conferred with the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) to explore business opportunities for the mutual benefit of the two countries.

Osei Assibey Antwi addressing the delegation indicated that government had taken proactive measures to create and foster an investor-friendly environment.

“Our agenda is to liaise effectively with sister countries and harness the potentials inherent in all sectors of the economy in order to bring prosperity to Ghanaians. The KMA is of the firm belief that foreign companies who decide, for instance, to mobilize resources in developing the housing, tourism, waste management and woodwork-related sectors, will also not run at a loss.”

Among other areas mentioned, the City Mayor cited the Sokoban Wood Enclave as another area of business interest, and added that the KMA would welcome any initiative by Chinese companies to develop the plastic and shoemaking industries as well as help build the proposed multi-storey car park at Adum, in order to help decongest the Central Business District.

The team, led by Mr. Xie Shuhua, the Vice Chairman of Chinese People’s Political Consultant Conference – Wenzhou Committee, was impressed with the huge business potentials in Kumasi, adding that “the Wenzhou Province will work further with Kumasi to strengthening socio-economic ties to enhance living conditions of the people.”

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By: Lauretta Timah/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Kumasi mayor woos Chinese investors appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

A government mediation team led by a Minister of State in charge of National Security at the Presidency, Bryan Acheampong, resolved the political deadlock in the area.

They signed a peace accord with the MCE and resolved to support her to deliver on her mandate.

A statement read by the spokesperson, Abubakari Sadiq Sulemana, said “The Savelugu/Nantong Municipality has been in the news in the last one month during which we protested the nomination and confirmation of Hajia Ayishetu Seidu as the Municipal Chief Executive of the Savelugu/Nantong Municipality. Our challenge with Hajia’s nomination was that we were worried she wasn’t well known to the elders and executives of the party. This was because we believed it was only somebody from amongst us who we knew could best implement the President’s vision in Savelugu/Nantong would have been better.”

“In recent days however, we have had an opportunity to fully engage Hajia Ayishetu Seidu, and we are now convinced that she has what it takes to implement the President’s vision for the full benefit of the people of Savelugu/Nantong.”

The Savelugu constituency NPP Communications Director, Abubakari Sadiq Sulemana, assured President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo of their full cooperation with Hajia Ayishetu Seidu.

“We want to assure the President, Vice President and the party leadership that, we will not do anything to derail the efforts of government to make Ghana a safe haven for investors. As stakeholders in the Municipality, we want to state that we will harmoniously work with Hajia Ayishetu Seidu as the MCE for Savelugu/Nantong to ensure that the vision of the President and the program of government is implemented for the benefit of the people of Savelugu/Nantong.”

“We also hereby apologize to the President for the demonstrations for several weeks, though we believed our message was important. We now concede our approach was wrong.”

He emphasized that, “Our commitment to the Akufo Addo government is still intact and unwavering. We will continue to work with all stakeholders in the governance process to ensure the success of this government.”

Chief Mediator

The Chief Mediator, who is a Minister of State at the Presidency in charge of National Security, Bryan Acheampong, commended them for their decision.

He reassured them of government’s commitment to make the nation a better place for all, and called for peaceful co-existence in the area, and implored the youth to remain law abiding citizens.

Mr. Bryan Acheampong tasked the MCE, Hajia Ayishetu Seidu, to liaise with all major stakeholders in the municipality and deliver good governance.

Savelugu/Nantong MCE

An elated Hajia Ayishetu Seidu, said, “For me, it is a day that I have been dreaming of. A day that I knew will come one day but it was not going to be easy.”

She appreciated the role of the mediation team and promised to galvanize the people for constructive purposes. She also vowed to constantly engage the Members of Parliament for Savelugu/Nantong, and all the major stakeholders to move the municipality forward in the right direction.

“With the support and efforts of the two MPs, we will bring everybody on board and see to it that we move the municipality to another level.”

Savelugu MP

Hon. Abdul Samed Gunu described the latest development as a sigh of relief.

He admitted that the breakthrough was not an easy task, but commended his constituents for smoking the peace pipe with the MCE.

“The latest development is a plus for all of us. This was just an internal wrangling and the chapter of Savelugu not having peace has finally come to an end.”

Regional Minister

Chairman of the Northern Regional Security Council, (RECSEC), Salifu Saeed, commended the youth and the party’s bigwigs in the two constituencies for reasoning with the President’s plea.

The Regional Minister encouraged the MCE, Hajia Ayishetu Seidu, to strengthen her relationship with the residents.

Salifu Saeed assured the youth of well-paying jobs, and reaffirmed government’s agenda to transform the Savelugu/Nantong Municipality into the hub of the Sahel.

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By: Abdul Karim Naatogmah/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Savelugu protesters back down to support MCE appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

A group calling itself Concerned Citizens of Savelugu/Nantong Municipality at a news conference today (Friday), called the bluff of Hajia Ayishetu Seidu’s detractors.

[contextly_sidebar id=”fasZ6Jg2xaB2tr7AYUSoq9GAfYspTkPH”]The group’s Spokesperson, who doubles as the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) Nantong constituency Communications Director, A.A Latif, described Hajia Ayishetu Seidu as the best MCE to transform the Savelugu/Nantong municipality.

According to him, the MCE’s detractors are ignorant of her competence required for the area’s socio-economic transformation.

He thus advised Hajia Ayishetu Seidu’s protesters to ceasefire on their series of demonstrations against her and rather support her to deliver her mandate, since she has gained the legitimate confirmation of the Assembly.

Below is the MCE defenders’ petition

PETITION BY CONCERNED CITIZENS OF SAVELUGU-NANTON MUNICIPALITY FOR THE RECOGNITION AND SUPPORT FOR THE CONFIRMED NOMINEE, HON. HAJIA AYISHETU SEIDU, AS THE MUNICIPAL CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF SAVELUGU-NANTON

Good morning, Ladies and gentlemen, and a very good day to everyone here gathered. We appreciate so much the time and resources expended to be here today, on the occasion of our presentation of a representative petition. Please hear us out, as we seek to straighten a path that seeks to lead us away from goodwill.

Everything that happens, does so for a good reason. In this country, laws, regulations and standard practice supercede individual interests. This is sacrosanct. The processes that lead to the nomination of a person, by the President of the land, is quite hectic, to begin with. It entails a lot of consultation from the local scene, to the regional authority, and through to the very seat of government, in this case, the Flagstaff House in Accra. As such, it is not without doubt that people will hold divergent views as to the processes that lead to the appointment of the eventual nominee, and hold shades of grudges too. We take cognisance of the fact that, His Excellency the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, did us the honour, did not exclude our municipality from the roll, and nominated for us one of our own, a mother and a servant of the people, Hajia Ayishetu Seidu. We would like to reiterate that, we acknowledge the time and deeper processes that went into the selection of nominees this year, and we are grateful to the appointing authority.

Ladies and Gentlemen, having received the mention of Hajia Ayishetu Seidu’s name, the Savelugu-Nanton Municipal Assembly convened to affirm or reject the President’s nominee, as by law enshrined. After what could aptly be referred to as a dramatic turn of events, and by the grace of the one true God, the President’s nominee was given the nod to assume her place as the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) of Savelugu by 50 out of 64 (78%). We would like to place emphasis here that, it was not a position gifted to her, as some people have thrown such contortions about. She, and a formidable team behind her, fought to assume the office. As natives and residents of Savelugu, let us please give recognition to this fact, and help her build for us the community we have envisaged over the past years since the attainment of our status as a district, and through to being a municipality.The President proposed her but we did the  confirmation! Thus, we agreed to work with her! It will be therefore unfair to make a u-turn at this point especially without following the due process. The Honourable Hajia Ayishetu Seidu was duly confirmed by our own representatives, the elected men and women of the Assembly, and therefore, per the democratic order of practice, is the legitimate representative of the central government here. We do not believe that this can be contested anywhere feasibly.

As ordinary members of both the New Patriotic Party (NPP), and most importantly this local government area, we have committed to make it known that, the needless dragging of matters would not affect the person and personality of the confirmed Honourable MCE, but the entirety of the municipality. Under usual circumstances, one must expect opposition to whatever concerns the multitude. It is absolutely normal to have some, from within the collective, who will commit time and resources oppose cogent ideas and one’s rise to grace. The only time when this becomes needless is when such opposition goes to affect the grassroot supporters and sympathisers of the general cause, and the catchment area as a whole. To wit, the existence of factions, battling it out, covertly, publicly, and rather painfully, has no effect on the perpetrators of this factionalism that seeks to destroy rather than build. It is we, the ordinary participants in the affairs of the government and the municipality, who suffer the undue delay in the start of serious governance here at the local level. Lest we forget, these happenings can cause apathy and disaffection for the party and government, coming from core NPP members and the public at large.

Besides, and much more importantly, this municipal area is bedevilled with huge developmental challenges that seek to erode the few gains made over the past years. There are issues of sanitation, basic infrastructure, youth unemployment, fallen levels of education, and many other issues that would exhaust mention if care is not taken. Rather than concentrate our efforts at denigrating and hounding the people’s choice, and making it difficult for the machinery of government to assume full operational capacity here in Savelugu-Nanton, we could be well jump into full gear, helping the government of His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo realise the hopes and aspirations of our people, and working assiduously with the collective interest in mind.

We dare say that enough time has been expended doing the bidding of power brokers, perceived and real, and now is the time to come back on track. In other places, far worse misgivings and agitations cropped up in the course of the selection and confirmation of DCE and MCE nominees.Our next door neighbours, Sagnarigu district is an example worth mentioning.

The gravity of theirs was as high as the limit of the sky.But they displayed high sense of political maturity and democracy when they, including other people who did the DCE bidding ,came together to restore political sanity and peace resulting in the continuity of the developmental agenda of the district. However, so characteristic of people who really consider the development of their locality above all other personal interests and demands, they have found express ways of laying their individualities aside, and have teamed up to prosecute the set agenda of their collective wishes, and that of the central government.

Elsewhere, political party interests, though of considerable consideration, have paved way for them to work towards one goal – development. While some districts have begun implementing the Planting for Food and Jobs initiative with all seriousness, the case is different here. Even, less-endowed districts can ably point out their DCEs with pride, and begin to mention what efforts they have already put in place as in contributing to development.

Again, lets look at our closed villegers, Kumbungu. The DCE took delivery of fertilizers and other farm inputs on behalf of his district to prosecute the flagship program-Planting for foods and jobs. The people of Savelugu are known to be ahead of Kumbungu in all good aspects of life including education and democracy as we always to them . I am sad to state that today Kumbungu has now taken the lead democrtically.We are now a laughing stock! Can we do the same here, in this municipality that has all it takes to hit the road running with full vigour? We would like to plead with all indigenes and residents of Savelugu-Nanton, the dissenting groups within the NPP fraternity, and all well meaning partners to consider the development of Savelugu-Nanton as the only project of prime consideration, and merge forces to deepen our resolve to leave positive prints in this land that we all love.

Lest we forget, it is not unknown that the constituency within which we stand here today, is not a safe seat for the party in government today. Traditionally, the NPP as a party has not fared very well, electorally, in this place. Having been blessed with the taking of this constituency for the foremost time, one would expect that, as orphaned children given a place in a temporary shelter, we would work hard to broaden our support base, diversify our political activities positively, and increase the support tally that we have on target, so that we plant a foothold on this constituency. Rather than effectuate this agenda, infighting and unrewarding machinations have taken over our collective interests, and here we are today.

The many years spent in the political wilderness, in our consideration, should inform and remind us, very often, that it took a lot of time, energy, and commitment of costly resources before political power became ours to manage, by the grace of the Most High. We cannot afford to allow persons and factions within us to take us down that path again. Our actions and inactions will tell where we really want to be found, in the not-too-distant future.

Before anyone or any group from among us can do us any further harm, let us please give all the support to our honourable MCE, so that, as government’s lead representative here, and acting with communal and political party structures, we can retain this seat, make it ours, and own it. We would be able to project and realise the very reason why political parties exist – contest elections, win elections, control affairs – again and again, many times over. Honestly, the mother-figure in our MCE is such that, she can be very understanding and cooperative once we are a team and nothing else. And with the support of all, she will lead us to achieve all we ever wished for our fledgling municipality.

Respected people, all eyes are on the Savelugu municipality, in these times. If we are unaware of this, then we need to take heed, for the harm being done is ever increasing. The more we keep these disagreements going, the more we lose favour in the eyes of very respected stakeholders in this land: our revered chiefs who own the land, the clergy and ulamas who direct our paths. As we keep dissenting on the rightful assumption of Hon. Hajia Ayishetu Seidu to the high office of Municipal Chief Executive of Savelugu-Nanton, we loose favour in the eyes of our party hierarchy in the region, and ultimately His Excellency the President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

This is not healthy for us at all. By our actions, we are telling the President that though we have confirmed the person he held extensive consultations to nominate for the municipality, we will not support her to work, and we will not allow her to work with the Assembly. We are only telling the people’s representatives, the Assemblymen and Assemblywomen, that, we do not respect them and the honour they have bestowed on Hon. Hajia Ayishetu Seidu, and that, they did not convey the broad expectations of their electorates.

We would only be sending wrong signals to the good people of our town that we cherish individual motives more than the development of the town. If care is not taken, and we actually inherit a page in the President’s blacklist, the stock of projects and programmes registered in the name of our dearest townships and environs of Savelugu and Nanton would all go to waste – others will eat up our grace and honour, while we lag far behind in the various development indices compiled from time to time on districts in Ghana.

Respectfully, we would like to call on the overlords of the land, the religious leadership, party executives and supporters, the northern regional minister, youth groups and all well-meaning stakeholders in Savelugu- Nanton to let us lay calm to peace and understanding, accept the confirmation of the honourable Municipal Chief Executive, Hon. Hajia Ayishetu Seidu in good faith, and help her advance the development agenda of the municipality. We owe this to ourselves, and posterity will be the determiner.

The verdict of 2012 elections was a difficult one take but we took it in good faith. Although some members of our party didn’t agree with the then candidate Nana Addo, now our president, but we respected his decision. Is time to repeat that political and national patriotism in ourselves.

We all here respect your views and opinions but we felt they can be better resolved in a round table discussions.

We thank you for the audience. For progress and our forward march, and for accepting to be part of this new direction, may we all succeed.

Thank you!

——- SIGNED ——-

Alhassan Abdul Lateef

Communication Director (Nanton Constituency)

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By: Abdul Karim Naatogmah.citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Savelugu tensions: MCE’s supporters call the bluff of protesters appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

For the third consecutive time, the angry residents staged a demonstration against the MCE and have vowed to prevent her from working.

[contextly_sidebar id=”2eKFwXRUCdZDdKjsEQk4mO70DXNfXA67″]Speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show, Mr Gunu said the faction between the two individuals if not addressed might affect the fortunes of the NPP.

“The angry Savelugu residents have staged a number of demonstrations against the  Hajia Ayishetu Seidu, and have vowed to prevent her from occupying the office even at the peril of their lives.

“If such a thing should happen, there is a possibility that it will ruin our chances come 2020 because the constituency is a strong hold of the NDC and this is the first time we have won the seat. It is a very fragile situation. If we don’t take time and handle it properly, the party is likely to lose come 2020 elections,” the MP said.

According to the protesters, the MCE is an alien who played no role in the party’s victory.  They have also accused her of paying for her confirmation.

They say they are not bothered by the security implications of their actions, since they believe they are in the interest of the Savelugu-Nantong Municipality.

Hajia Alima begs Savelugu residents to accept MCE 

Meanwhile the Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Hajia Alima Mahama has appealed to residents of Savelugu to desist from preventing their MCE from working.

Speaking at a one-day National Validation Workshop on Draft Fee-Fixing Guidelines, Hajia Mahama said “the MCE has been confirmed so I expect the media people to educate the people to know that the woman has been confirmed. In fact, she was confirmed on the first try.”

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By: Marian Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post NPP will lose Savelugu-Nantong seat in 2020 if…- MP appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

According to them, the appointment of Mr. Aboagye, who was the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) Youth Organizer of Akropong constituency, has rekindled strong sense of hope and enthusiasm in Okuapemman.

Mr. Aboagye is currently enjoying so much goodwill from stakeholders within the municipality and was handsomely endorsed by assembly members in the area.

He was among other Municipal and District Chief Executives (MDCEs) in the Eastern Region who were sworn into office at Koforidua yesterday, Friday.

Speaking to the media after the ceremony, Mr. Aboagye said his vision is to work with the chiefs and people of the area to create a modern local economy which would deliver jobs and ensure the people of Okuapemman are financially independent and living decent lives.

The MCE added that he will ensure that the President’s One-District One-Factory vision is also realized within the municipality.

Dennis Aboagye is a Chartered Marketer with a Chartered Postgraduate Diploma from the Chartered Institute of Marketing – UK, an MBA (Marketing) from the Central University Graduate School of Business and B.A Political Science from the University of Ghana.

He has 10-years of experience within the sales and marketing industry with exposure in FMCG and Financial service industries.

He has spent five years out of the ten serving in various roles within the pension industry with Enterprise Trustees Limited.

Prior to Joining Enterprise, Dennis served as Head of sales and Marketing with Home foods Ghana Limited and Eastern Regional Coordinator for Youth Entrepreneurial and Skills Development Centre (YESDEC) a World Bank funded project under the NYEA.

He is passionate about Business Development, Sales Management and Brand Positioning.

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By: Godwin Akweiteh Allotey/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @AlloteyGodwin

The post Akuapem chiefs, residents elated over Denis Aboagye’s MCE appointment appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

He said the confusion that exists between MMDCE’s and the MP’s must end to promote growth and development.

[contextly_sidebar id=”VhF4PDgsysS6MXYJ3qoxbVFLAAVQs1LO”]Speaking in an interview with Citi News, Mr Norgbey said, “it is unfortunate that from time immemorial confusion seemed to be between MMDCE’s and Members of Parliament over the distribution and payment of common funds. I think this attitude should be a thing of the past since it hampers development at the local level”

Mr Norgbey noted that “opposition MP’s should not be victimised by their local MMDCE’s because we are all working in the interest of our people and the country so why would a Municipal Chief Executive sabotage an MP just because he belongs to an opposition party. The politics of winner takes all must be a thing of the past and let’s work together to develop our communities”

He congratulated the incoming newly confirmed Municipal Chief Executive of Ashaiman and called for total corporation between the two in the development of Ashaiman.

“The new MCE is a strong advocate of building a 24-hour liveable city in Ashaiman and I so much share in that vision, so we shall together work to get that vision across by making it a reality.”

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By: Elvis Washington/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post MPs must collaborate with MMDCEs for dev’t – Ashaiman MP appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The assemblies will, therefore, have to reconvene in 10 days time for another attempt to either confirm the  nominees after they failed to secure the required two-thirds majority votes needed for their confirmation on Monday and Tuesday respectively.

[contextly_sidebar id=”8y72orNjFZezSDybvTX1ElBm6vw9DPLK”]Per the constitution, a nominee needs to obtain at least two-thirds of the total valid votes cast by the assembly members present and voting before one could be considered duly elected or endorsed as DCE but they fell short of this constitutional requirement, compelling the vote to be suspended until a later date by the Electoral Commission.

In Sene East, the Presidents nominee, Abraham Mbanye polled 16 votes out of 27 in the first round. This did not satisfy the constitutional requirement of two-thirds. In the second round, he obtained 18 out of 27 missing the requirement by one vote.

At Tano South, the nominee, Collins Offinam Takye polled 28 out of 56 votes, failing to attain the two-thirds requirement. The meeting therefore had to be rescheduled to a future date. The assembly however elected John Dadze as Presiding Member (PM) with 53 votes out of 56.

Earlier before vote, the Regional Minister, Kwaku Asomah-Cheremeh appealed to the assembly members to overwhelmingly endorse the nominee to speed the pace of development but his plea were ignored.

The Brong Ahafo Region started the confirmation of nominees last week Friday 5th May and it’s expected to conclude on Tuesday 16th May 2017.

So far 13 MDCEs have undergone the exercise with nine assemblies: Tano North, Sunyani Municipal, Kintampo South, Asutifi North, Sene West, Pru, Atebubu/Amantin and Wenchi Municipal endorsing nominees with 100 percent and Asunafo North and Asutifi South with over 70 percent.

Tano South and Sene East failed to confirm their nominees and have to reconvene to finally determine whether or not the nominee will be accepted.

The confirmation exercise is expected to continue on Friday and next week Monday.

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By: Mashoud Kombat, Brong Ahafo

The post B/A: Assemblies reject two MCE nominees appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.