Gov't Annuls Vote Of No Confidence In DCE

The Government has annulled a Vote of No Confidence passed by the Ajumako/Enyan/Essiam (AEE) District Assembly in the District Chief Executive (DCE), K. K. Obempong. He therefore remains the substantive District Chief Executive for AEE.

A statement issued by Local Government and Rural Development Minister, Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu said the Assembly failed to comply with Local Government Standing Orders and the Governing Law (Act 462).

The law states that an Assembly wishing to pass a Vote of No Confidence in its DCE must first of all pass a resolution to that effect, before a substantive motion for Vote of No Confidence is taken.

However, the AEE Assembly failed to comply with the law. The statement described the action of the Assembly as a clear violation of Section 8 and 17(3) of the Model Standing Orders of District Assembly.

The government was therefore unable to uphold the vote, since the proper procedure was not followed.

Mr Baah-Wiredu stated that even though the government was determined to respect the wishes of the people at all times, its bedrock was the rule of law and would therefore not recognise or endorse unconstitutional acts.

On the circumstances leading to the incident, the Minister explained that he received a wireless message from the Central Regional Minister, Isaac Edumaze, on December 24, 2002 about the decision of the Assembly on December 23. The question of Vote of No Confidence was not on the agenda of the Assembly for the First Ordinary Meeting. However, after the Sessional Address and an address by the MP, there was confusion amidst which the Presiding Member produced a purported Resolution and called for the vote on the motion.

The statement said a three-man committee made up of Mr Dan Boakye Agyemang of the Office of Chief of Staff; Addai Kyeremeh, Chief Director of the Ministry and Obeng Busia, Special Assistant to the Minister has been tasked to investigate the circumstances leading to the attempt to pass a Vote of No Confidence in the DCE. The Committee would submit its report to the Minister by Tuesday, December 31, 2002.