Petitions Galore Against DCE

The Bolgatanga District Chief Executive (DCE), Mr. Rockson Ayine Bukari, on Wednesday denied what he described as provocative allegations levelled against him by some members of the Bolgatanga Constituency Executive members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

He said the allegations were totally baseless and malicious, calculated to tarnish his image and bring his name into disrepute.

Mr. Bukari was reacting to a letter written and signed by three Executive Members of the Bolgatanga Constituency of the NPP, petitioning President John Agyekum Kufuor to remove him from office.

The petitioners among other things accused the DCE of selecting the candidate for the Assembly elections last year in Gambigio Electoral area, the seat he occupied before his appointment, and sponsoring two other candidates in the Zuarungu Central and Yorogo Electoral areas, which the petitioners said had serious implication against the party.

He was further accused of failing to disburse ?500 million from the Ministry of Women and Children's Affairs.

Besides, the petitioners said the DCE had done little to reconcile with the Paramount Chief of the Bolgatanga Traditional area, Naba Martin Abilba III, and had strained relationships with other chiefs in the area.

"He also has seriously strained relations with the following personalities who matter in the development of the party and the district as well: Dr. Geseka Agambila, Deputy Minister for Finance, the Constituency Executive, the Regional Co-ordinator as well as the Bolgatanga District Co-ordinator of Nadmo," the petition alleged.

The signatories to the petition, Mr. Sylvester Azaare, NPP Constituency Chairman, Mrs. Constance Apassnaba, Women's Organiser and Mr. Richard Asaah, Secretary, further alleged: " Honourable Rockson is unnecessarily hostile towards people, who want to join the party and is very vindictive and does not respect authority."

Mr. Bukari explained that his relationship with the Bolga Naba was cordial. "I went and paid homage to him when I assumed office as tradition demands. I do all the necessary protocol that the chief deserves. I don't in fact have anything against him."

He said it was the desire of some members of the Constituency Executives, who were being manipulated by certain party functionaries, to bring him down.

He said the disbursement of the Poverty Alleviation Fund was done by a committee, adding that so far only ?124 million had been disbursed to about 40 women's groups and not ?500 million as the petitioners stated.

Mr. Bukari, universally acknowledged for his forthrightness, said the petitioners were guided by malice and mischief rather than objective reasons for their actions

. "I will continue to do the right things I have been put here to do rather than to listen to and serve some selfish people at the expense of the party's developmental goals," he said. GNA.