Chiefs disassociate themselves from publication

Akyem Oda, May 4, GNA - The chiefs in the Akyem Kotoku Traditional Area have denied ever petitioning the President to withdraw Ms Ophelia Koomson's nomination for the position of Birim Central Municipal Chief Executive.

Obrempong Antwi Peasah, Gyasehene, Obrempong Sintim Poku, Benkumhene, Obrempong Gyapire Agyekum 11, Nifahene, and Obrempong Burakye Akoto 11, Kyidomhene, said it was not true that they took a decision to petition against the nominee.

The chiefs were reacting to media publications that quoted Obrempong Afum Afronten 1V, Adontehene, as having said the chiefs had petitioned against Ms Koomson's nomination. He said the traditional council had not sat for the past 10 years and challenged the Adontehene to come out to tell the public where they met to take that decision.

Obrempong Antwi-Peasah said appointment to the post of MCE was highly political and since chiefs were not supposed to take active part in politics they were ever ready to co-operate with the nominee when given the nod to accelerate the pace of development in the area. He said it would be unfortunate to deny any competent person a post because that person did not hail from that particular place.

The Gyasehene advised the Adontehene to consult the other chiefs whenever he wanted to make a pronouncement on any sensitive issue in the area so as not to create unnecessary tension and embarrassment. In another development Mr Kwesi Nkansah-Amaniampong, 2004 National Democratic Congress parliamentary candidate for the Akyem Oda Constituency, described Ms Koomson as a hard working person and said the president made a right choice in nominating her for the post. In a telephone conversation with the GNA, he enumerated Ms Koomson's contribution to the NDC when he was the parliamentary candidate for the constituency. "She provided logistics such as finance to enhance my campaign and I therefore appeal to the assembly members to confirm her nomination on Friday May 8 to put her expertise at the disposal of the municipality".