Adansi chiefs not happy about government's nominees to assemblies

Obuasi (Ash), March 2, GNA - The Adansi Traditional Council (ATC) has expressed concern about the appointment of government nominees to the three District and Municipal Assemblies in the area without any consultation with the Council. The assemblies are Adansi North, Adansi South and Obuasi Municipal which all have representation of chiefs on the membership.

A letter signed by the acting President of the ATC, Okofo Sobin Kan II, to the Adansi North District Co-ordinating Director noted that any person claiming to represent it on the assemblies did so "ultra vires". The letter was copied to the Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, the Ashanti Regional Co-ordinating Director, and the four Members of Parliament for the area. It reiterated provisions in the 1992 constitution which stipulates that 30 percent of the membership of a district assembly shall be appointed by the President, "in consultation with traditional authorities and other interest groups in the district".

The letter said ATC had no record of any consultation by the President on such appointments and "has not mandated or authorized any person to exercise the power of consultation with the President as provided in the Constitution on its behalf".