Kintampo new DCE rejected

Jema, the capital of Kintampo South Assembly, yesterday went agog when the members of the District Assembly failed to endorse James Bakalatob, the president’s nominee for the vacant position of DCE.

James Bakalatob, a Konkomba, garnered 17 votes as against 23 against him.

Immediately the president nominated Mr. Bakalatob, the youth of Jema kicked against it, saying no indigene of Jema would ever be accepted as DCE at Bimbila so they would never allow a Konkomba man to become the DCE of Jema.

Several petitions were written to the president to withdraw him but all fell on deaf ears.

On the day of voting, Friday, July 15, 2016, DAILY GUIDE spotted the youth of the town standing in groups and threatening the assembly members, who they suspected of trying to betray their cause.

They openly told whoever cared to listen that the people of Kintampo South also have equally qualified men and women to occupy the position and that unlike what had been allowed to happen elsewhere, they would never allow that to be replicated in Kintampo South.

According to the leader of the youth, Peter Appiah Kubi, if any person from Jema happens to be nominated by President John Mahama to become the DCE of any Kokomba district, the person will either be beaten up or overwhelmingly rejected.

The Kintampo South DCE seat became vacant when Datiakwa, the former DCE, who is an indigene of Jema, was booted out simply because he challenged a lady who had filed her papers to contest the parliamentary primary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

When Mr. Datiakwa insisted and challenged the lady, the president removed him from office and nominated Mr. Bakalatob.

It would be recalled that a similar thing occurred at Atebubu when the DCE, who challenged Sanja Nanja (the Member of Parliament) was kicked out of office.

That fracas led to the paramount chief and his sub-chiefs slaughtering a sheep to ban Sanja Nanja from entering the palace or attending any gathering in the Atebubu District.

This was after Sanja Nanja, a Konkomba, had described the queen mother of the area as an Akpeteshie drinker and stupid.

That problem has not been resolved and tension is very high in the area.