KMA elects Amakomhene as new Presiding Member

The Amakomhene, Nana Adu Mensah Asare has been endorsed as the new Presiding Member (PM) for the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA).

At  the General Assembly meeting to elect a Presiding Member for the Assembly the   Amakom hene who was the sole candidate polled 100 'YES'  votes of the 123 valid votes cast. Twenty two voted 'NO' while one ballot was rejected.

It was the 7th sitting of the inaugural meeting and 10th attempt at getting a presiding member. 

The 147-member house endorsed the compromised candidate following a pre-election meeting with the Kumasi Traditional Council as part of intervention by the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, to bring peace to the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly.

The Amakomhene, a teacher by profession, and two other chiefs, Nana Mensah Bonsu, Asakyrihene, and Nana Kwame Bonsu, one of Otumfuo's  linguist,  were sworn in by a high court judge, Justice Charles Adjei Wilson,  as government appointees to replace Nana Yaw Attah,  Bebrehene,  Nana Kusi Boadum,  Domeabrahene  and NanaBaffour Kesse IV, Adumhene.

Hon, Abraham Boadi (Opooman), Assembly member for Nhyiaeso and Michael Adusei Bonsu, Assemblymember for Dadiesoaba, who were the two main contestants steppeddown to throw their weight behind the Amakomhene. The two main contestants entered the race after Hon. Nana Kofi Senya and Nana Agyei Baffour Kesse stepped town at the 6th sitting of the Assembly to elect a presiding member.

In his acceptance speech, Nana Adu Mensah called for unity among the Government Appointees and the Elected Assembly members. He added that his main agenda will be to see to the development of Kumasi.

He promised to be Presiding Member for all, "I will be a PM for all and not for a particular group of people. I know where I am coming from and I have to do what is expected of me."

The Ashanti Regional Minister, Mr. John Alexander Ackon, called for collaboration with all stakeholders and urged Assembly Members to bury their individual differences for the good of all.

The election of the Presiding Member for the Assembly was unsuccessful for over one year despite several attempts and consultations as none of the two main earlier contestants Hon. Nana Kofi Senya, the immediate past Presiding Member and Nana Baffour Agyei Kesse IV, the Adumhene was able to secure the two -thirds (2/3) majority which is ninety -eight (98)votes required by law.