Tema Metropolitan Assembly elects new Presiding Member

The Tema Metropolitan Assembly has elected a 37-year old Mr. Romeo Elikplim Akahoho as its new presiding member.

Mr. Akahoho polled 37 out a total of 46 votes to occupy the seat. He had five more votes than the required minimum of 32 votes to qualify for the position.

The position of Presiding Member for the Tema Metropolitan Assembly became vacant when the former presiding member, Mr. Jonathan Otu Okunor, had to leave his position to become an Assembly member in the newly created Kpone District.

Mr. Akahoho's only contender, Captain Ben Edmund Duah (retired), lost with the remaining nine votes.

A third contestant, Mr. Baba Abdulai, in his introductory speech before the commencement of voting, pulled out of the contest, saying "We need a Presiding Member who is capable. I am stepping down because that person is right here. That person is Romeo Akahoho. I urge my supporters to vote for him."

In his acceptance speech, Mr. Akahoho, who had lost to Mr. Okunor two years ago when he first contested against him for the position noted "It has never happened before in this Assembly for a contestant to win within the first round of voting so easily. It is a sign of unity and we will keep it going."

He said there was the need to create more revenue to develop the Tema Metropolis.

"The main thing is to identify areas of revenue generation that we have not tapped."

He also promised to work hard towards improving the lot of members of the Assembly.

The Tema Metropolitan Chief Executive, Mr. Robert Ofosuware, congratulated the Assembly members for conducting themselves well without any partisan behavior.

"We have done it without going through any rigorous processes. What is left ahead now is what is most important. We would ensure that areas that lack development are promptly tackled," he said.**