Minister is sabotaging mayor-Assemblymen

Two Assembly men within the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly are questioning the motive behind the recent decongestion exercise held under the authority of the regional minister, Dr. Samuel Sarpong.

The Assemblyman for Ohwimase electoral area, Safo Kantanka as well as the Assemblyman for Kwadaso North; Eric Asibe say the decongestion exercise which according to many was a flop was held in bad fate. They believe the Regional minister had no basis usurping the mayor’s authority to organize a decongestion exercise especially at the time he did.

The two tell rawgist.com that due procedure was not followed neither was there any form of due diligence, adding that the exercise was unbudgeted for and hence a waste of public resources.

They are also unhappy with the regional minister and the presiding member for not giving the traders any ample notice of the exercise ahead of time nor any alternatives.

Kumasi Mayor, Kojo Bonsu is currently on a two-week leave outside the country.

Many within the Assembly and local government are questioning why the Regional minister could not wait for the return of the Mayor who is also head of the newly formed decongestion committee. Some say it’s an act calculated to sabotage the mayor and let him look incompetent. Besides, they question his authority to act as mayor since there is no legislation that empowers him to act in the mayor’s stead.

Information reaching rawgist.com is that the mayor was warming up to undertake a huge decongestion early next year to pave way for the redevelopment of the Central Market as well as the development of the Tafo, Asawase and Atonsu markets for which the tender processes are already underway.

Rawgist.com hears the mayor had wanted traders to do brisk business this Christmas before any decongestion exercise especially knowing that the forthcoming decongestion would displace many traders and make their economic situation worse off for some time.

The two Assembly men tell rawgist.com they will kick against the exercise and continue to ensure that the right things are done. “Why couldn’t he wait for just two weeks? Is decongestion exercise an emergency? I believe it’s an act of sabotage”, Hon. Eric Asibe passionately told rawgist.com, emphasizing the fact that it was not an item in the Assembly’s budget and wondered if anyone could just dip his hands into public coffers and misuse funds as has been done.

Rawgist.com’s attempt to get a response from the mayor’s spokesperson, Samuel Gyamfi proved futile as he declined comment.