NPP on the appointment of Manya Krobo District Chief Executive

Odumase-Krobo (Eastern Region) - The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has expressed grave concern about attempts by "certain individuals to destabilise the Manya Krobo District to make it look ungovernable."

A statement signed by the Eastern Regional Secretary of the party, Mr. Seth .M. Ahyiah in response to a story which appeared in an Accra Daily under the heading "DCE Cries Wolf," the party also expressed worry about what it termed "the one-sided report filed by some reporters without investigating thoroughly the facts before publishing."

It disagreed with the reports that Mr. Andrew Tei, the Manya Krobo District Chief Executive, was imposed on the people by the President, explaining that not only did the President comply with the constitutional requirements in nominating him, but that the Assembly duly approved his appointment by a vote of 64 in his favour and one against.

In reference to the heavy police presence on the day of Mr. Tei's confirmation, the release said, "the action taken was necessary to avert the repetition of disruption by a section of the NPP youth opposed to Mr. Tei's nomination when the District Assembly met earlier on May 25, this year to consider his confirmation."

The release emphasised that even with the heavy police presence, there was "no coercion, no intimidation nor was any force applied on any member in any direction" adding that the single vote against Mr. Tei, was an indication that all the assembly members could have rejected him if that had been their wish.

It also complained about reports that "certain chiefs are hiding behind the youth to make the district ungovernable for Mr. Tei" and reminded such chiefs to respect the constitutional provision that debarred them from active politics.

The release without naming any particular chief said "just as we respect the chieftaincy institution, we would want to request the said chiefs in Manya Krobo land to respect Article 276 of the Constitution."

The release also appealed to the people in the area to be peaceful and to devote their energies towards eliminating poverty in the district. The Ghanaian Chronicle of Monday December 10, carried a story in its middle page under the heading 'DCE cries wolf.'

The story among others claimed that certain purported actions taken by the DCE undermined the authority of the Konor and other chiefs in the area.