Kumasi demonstration called off

Kumasi (Ashanti Region) 5 Oct. '99 - The Concerned Citizens of Kumasi on Monday called off its demonstration that was scheduled for Tuesday.

The decision is in recognition of the citizens's respect for President Jerry John Rawlings and the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.

The two personalities intervened and resolved the impasse between Nana Akwasi Agyeman, Metropolitan Chief Executive, and Dr. R. W. Anane, Member of Parliament for Bantama.

At a Press conference held in Kumasi, Mr Victor Owusu Jnr., spokesman, said it was to review the planned demonstration in view of recent developments.

"The review has become urgent because of the many contradictions surrounding the resolution of the impasse between the Metropolitan Chief Executive, Nana Akwasi Agyemang, and the MP for Bantama, Dr. R. W. Anane on Friday, 1 October, 1999," Mr Owusu added.

The Concerned Citizens said that, even though the demonstration had been called off, they would still use all legitimate democratic tools to ensure that Nana Agyemang leaves Kumasi to enhance its development.

"We are fed up with the politicisation of the incompetence of Nana Akwasi Agyemang and we hereby declare that he cannot be our Chief Executive," the spokesman stressed.

Mr Owusu stated that they are aware that they do not have the right to either remove Nana Agyemang from office or appoint another but they know they have the right to mobilise public opinion against him.

Touching on the intended demonstration, the spokesman said it was not only about Nana Agyemang beating the Bantama MP but also to depict that Nana Agyemang is a "bully, has become lawless and an incompetent administrator, which is driving the development of Kumasi backwards".

This apart, the demonstration was to also protest against the politicisation of the MP's common fund by Nana Agyemang and his refusal to co-operate with assembly members whom he perceives as being opposition members.

Meanwhile, Mr Kojo Yankah, Ashanti Regional Minister, in pursuance of efforts at bringing peace to the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA), has held a meeting with Mr Agyeman Pambour, assembly member for Santasi, who was allegedly brutalised on the orders of Nana Akwasi Agyeman, the Metropolitan Chief Executive.

The Minister has now invited the 46 aggrieved members of the KMA, who are calling for the removal of the Chief Executive, to a meeting on Wednesday, 6 October.

These were contained in a press statement issued and signed by Mr Yankah in Kumasi on Monday.

The statement said the meeting, to be attended by a representative of Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Asantehene, would afford the Regional Co- ordinating Council (RCC) the opportunity to call for a full session of the assembly as soon as possible.

It said it was the view of government that the work of the KMA should not be disrupted and, therefore, all assembly members were being requested to co-operate with the RCC and Asanteman Council.