General News of Wednesday, 18 May 2016

Source: rainbowradioonline.com

Minister denies free-for-all brawl at KMA

Ashanti Regional Minister, Hon. John Alexander Ackon Ashanti Regional Minister, Hon. John Alexander Ackon

The Ashanti Regional Minister, Hon. John Alexander Ackon has denied media reports of free-for-all brawl at the meeting of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) after assembly members failed to elect a Presiding Member (PM) for the fourth time in Kumasi yesterday.

A section of the media reported that there was 'flying chairs', 'blows' and screams for help during the meeting yesterday.

But commenting on the issue, the Regional Minister, Hon. Ackon denied the reports saying that he did not witness any fight during the meeting yesterday.

Speaking in an interview with Kwame Tutu, Hon. Ackon debunked the story saying "I did not witness such an incident. I only witnessed their election."

The assembly has since last year failed to elect a PM. The assembly from reports are divided over the immediate past PM, Nana Kofi Senya, and one time PM of the assembly, the Adumhene Nana Baffour Agyei Kesse, who have been vying for the position. The two failed to secure the require two-thirds of the votes that would enable one of them to be elected.

Out of the 134 valid votes cast, Nana Senya polled 68 while Adumhene had 66.

The meeting was postponed following the confusion that marred the meeting to allow the Minister to meet the two contenders on the way forward.

Hon.John Alexander Ackon noted the failure to elect a PM will have an effect on the running of the assembly and they waiting for the inaugural meeting of the PM although the assembly failed to elect a PM.

He revealed he was going to meet the contenders on the way forward and will not go into that meeting with a position.

He was optimistic that, the assembly will soon elect a PM to make the running of the assembly effective.