Confusion at New Juaben Municipal Assembly

Koforidua (E/R) An emergency meeting of the New Juaben Municipal Assembly on Monday to discuss the fate of Mr. Emmanuel Adu-Boateng, Municipal Chief Executive, ended abruptly as members engaged in a free for all fight amidst hurling of chairs and verbal assault at each other.

The meeting was called at the instance of the Presiding Member (PM), Mrs. Felicia Otchere Darko, to inform members about a letter received from the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development.

The letter asked that Mr. Adu-Boateng should hand over the administration of the assembly to the Eastern Regional Minister, Miss Patience Adow, as his tenure of office ended on August 10, 2000.

Tension began to flare up when the Presiding Member decided to convince members to discuss the issue to find out ways and means of re-nominating the MCE.

A member, who quoted a clause of the standing orders of the district assemblies, which gives the President the prerogative to re-nominate an incumbent MCE or nominate a new one, questioned the authority of members on the matter.

Another member, who supported the provision in the standing orders, moved a motion for the meeting to be called off since the members could not deliberate on the issue.

Members, who opposed the ending of the meeting began heckling and shouting, "sit down," "sit down," while those who supported it shouted with "shut up," "shut up," creating commotion in the assembly hall.

Some of the members began throwing chairs, as the Presiding Member looked on helplessly with her shouts for order going unheeded.

The meeting was later called off after sanity prevailed.