Confusion in assembly as it fails to elect PM

Odumase (Ash), June 30, GNA - The Asante-Akim North Municipal Assembly has for the third time in three months failed to elect a Presiding Member (PM).

There were chaotic scenes at the assembly as the members engaged in hot verbal exchanges after four rounds of voting on Wednesday could not produce a winner.

The Municipal Co-ordinating Director, Mr M.D.A Avah, who presided over the meeting, had hectic time controlling the situation.

Mr Paul Kwame Nkrumah Dikwah, a businessman and one of the three contestants for the position, had earlier withdrawn from the race.

That set the stage for a straight forward battle between Mr George Kyei-Baffour, a former PM, and Nana S.K. Ohemeng, Manwerehene of Odumase.

The stalemate could, however, not be broken with Mr Kyei-Baffour only managing a slight vote lead of just three. He kept receiving 35 votes as against 32 votes by his challenger.

Some of the members, unhappy with the development, moved a motion for the two to step aside and allow for fresh nominations but this met stiff resistance from their supporters, who refused to climb down from their entrenched positions.

At this point tempers frayed, throwing the assembly hall into total confusion.

Mr Avah had no choice but to adjourn the meeting indefinitely to provide space to the members to engage in further consultations.