Drama unfolds as Hohoe assembly elects Presiding Member

Hohoe, April 30, GNA - There was drama at the Hohoe Municipal Assembly during the exercise elect a Presiding Member when two candidates who had collected and filled nomination papers stepped down, incurring the displeasure of members. This held up proceedings for over an hour as members booed and hurled insults at each other.

When calm returned Ms Edith Akpoto, 48, an educationist who had stepped down with Mr Kosikumah Hovi, 52, a journalist, was re-nominated to contest for the position.

Mr Bismark Addae, Assemblyman for Leklebi who was nominated to contest against Ms Akpoto, stepped down to enable her stand unopposed. She polled 62 votes out of 66, representing 93.9 percent to become the Presiding Member of the Hohoe Municipal Assembly. Ms Akpoto explained in her acceptance speech that the blood relationship between her and the contestants were so close that it was almost an absurdity to compete among themselves, hence her decision. Mr David Acheampong, Hohoe Municipal Electoral Officer, told the Ghana News Agency that the action of Ms Akpoto did not constitute an aberration of the law.

He said she could be re-nominated to the position as she stepped down on her own volition without any adverse findings made against her that could have debarred her from contesting.