Chief denies rejection of DCE

Asamankese (E/R), April 17, GNA - Baffour Agyei Kumi, Chairman of the West Akyem Adikrofo Union, has denied a publication in a national daily that he and his union had rejected the nomination of Mr Seth Otchere, as the West Akyem Municipal Chief Executive. Speaking to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in a telephone interview, Baffour Kumi said he had no knowledge of the said press conference, never participated in the event and was surprised to be associated with such an event.

He said during the submission of applications for the appointment of the MCE, Mr Asumadu Anane-Addai approached him for his support and asked that he signed a document as proof of his support for him and he did just that. Baffour Kumi said after Mr Okyere had been nominated by the President for the post, he had neither seen Mr Anane-Addai nor signed any document to the effect that the President's nominee should be withdrawn.

He said he is a government appointee to the West Akyem Municipal Assembly and fully supported the nomination of Mr Otchere as the MCE for the area. Last Tuesday, members of the West Akyem Municipal Co-ordinating Committee of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) held a press conference to deny that NDC members in the West Akyem Municipality were against the nomination of Mr Otchere as the MCE. The Co-ordinating Committee comprises both Functional Executive of the Lower and Upper West Akim constituencies of the NDC and is the highest decision making body of the party in the municipality. Addressing the press conference, Mr Abu Salam, Chairman of the Co-ordinating Committee and also Chairman of the Upper West Akyem Constituency branch of the party, said investigations conducted by the party indicated that Mr Anane-Addai was using the names of members of the West Akyem Adikrofo Union without their knowledge. He said members of the party in the Municipality and the Co-ordinating Committee fully supported the President's nominee and that it was not true that the nomination of Mr Otchere as the MCE would disturb the peace in the area.

Mr Abizaid Teye-Addo, member of the committee and Chairman of the Lower West Akim Constituency branch of the party, said Mr Otchere is a full blooded citizen of Asamankese and a royal and that there were records that show that the father of Mr Otchere was one time linguist of the Anum stool of Asamankese. He said the Anum community of Asamankese also had records to show contributions that Mr Otchere made to the development of Asamankese. Baafour Asilfi Apeatu, Afrahene of Asamankese Traditional Council who spoke on behalf of the council, denied that the traditional authorities in Asamankese and the municipality were against the President's nominee.

He said the Asamankesehene, Osabarima Kweku Amoah 11, and his elders fully supported Mr Okyere and described the misuse of the signatures of members of the Adikrofo Union as unfortunate and an attempt to throw dust into the eyes of the public. Present at the press conference were executive members of both Lower and Upper West Akim Constituency branches of the party. 17 April 09