Bolgatanga Municipal Assembly elects Presiding Member

Bolgatanga, April 22, GNA - The Bolgatanga Municipal Assembly on Wednesday elected Mr. Joseph Abongo as Presiding Member (PM), of the assembly to replace the former PM, Mr. Joseph A. Ameyure, whose tenure of office ended.

Mr. Abongo obtained 32 of the 37 votes cast in the third round of voting. He had earlier contested twice with Mr. Joseph Akola Adaya, who defeated him in the first and second rounds of voting with 19 votes and 22 votes respectively as against Mr. Abongo's 17 votes and 15 votes respectively.

Mr. Adaya, however, stepped down to pave the way for Mr. Abongo, saying that he wanted to give him a chance to occupy the position. Mr. Abongo thanked Mr. Adaya and the assembly for the confidence reposed in him and said his office would be opened to all and he would consult other assembly members to enhance his performance. "I will be the PM that you want, my door would be open to all, for we are all working for the development of the area", he said. Mr Abongo urged all the members to put away their political differences and seek the development of the municipality. Mr. Philibert K. Kuupoe, Municipal Coordinating Director, announced that the assembly had reduced the number of sub-committees from ten to six. According to him, the new committees were Finance and Administration, Development Planning, Works, Social Services, Justice and Security and Women and Children. Mr Abongo was sworn into office by the Municipal Magistrate, Ms. Vivian Lairiba Yamusah.