Electorate reminded of their power to recall Assembly Members

Ho, Mar 15, GNA - Togbe Adjatekpor VII, Paramount Chief of the Avatime Traditional Area, has reminded the electorate that the statutes establishing the district assemblies allowed them to recall non-performing Assembly Members. He was speaking at the inauguration of the 81-member Ho Municipal Assembly in Ho on Tuesday.

Togbe Adjatekpor said he was yet to hear of such recalls, slamming political groupings for manipulating such moves in favour of the failing Assembly Members. He said often Assembly Members were preoccupied with prefixing their names with 93honourable" without reflecting that title in deeds. Togbe Adjatekpor expressed joy at the number of chiefs appointed to the Assembly but cautioned them against assuming 93political colorations".

"Say it as it is if something is going wrong and never be influenced by political sentiments," he said. Togbe Adjatekpor said the number of women in the Assembly, a total of 19, nine appointed and 10 elected was a disappointment. Mr Dan Markin, Chairman of the Railway Development Authority who read the President's message, said it was the dedication of Assembly Members that determined the level of credibility of the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs).

He cautioned members against using their positions to secure contracts or undue favours because that would be 93serious offence of conflict of interest".

Mr Isaac Kodobisah, Ho Municpal Chief Executive, said 20 kliometers of Ho roads would be tackled this year. He said the Assembly was in the process of awarding contracts for a three-storey shopping center at the Civic Centre. Mr Augustine Akusa-am, the Ho Municipal Magistrate, administered the oaths of membership, office, secrecy and allegiance to the Assembly members 54 of whom, are elected, 24 appointed and the remaining three being the Members of Parliament within the municipality and the MCE.