Kojo Bonsu’s disregard for Asanteman Council unfortunate – Kotei

If claims by the Asanteman Council that the immediate past Metropolitan Chief Executive of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA), Kojo Bonsu, disrespected the council by failing to honour the invitation extended to him to discuss some pressing issues in the city are true, then it is unfortunate the KMA boss acted in such manner, Isaka Amon Kotei, a local governance expert, has said.

On Tuesday,July 12, Mr. Bonsu tendered his resignation following pressure from the Asanteman Council, which had issued a seven-day ultimatum for his resignation or dismissal by the Minister of Local Government and Rural Development.

In a letter dated 12th July, 2016, Mr Bonsu indicated that he had conveyed his resignation to President Mahama and expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to serve Kumasi and the nation.

Before his resignation, the Asanteman Council, the highest decision-making body in Asante, petitioned President John Dramani Mahama to immediately replace Kojo Bonsu, for slighting the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, and bringing his office into disrepute.

The council threatened to make Mr. Bonsu’s work difficult and stall all projects by the KMA, including the Kejetia Market, should the president fail to act on its demand.

Speaking in an interview with Chief Jerry Forson, host of Ghana Yensom on Accra100.5FM on Wednesday July 13, Mr. Amon Kotei said although he was yet to hear Kojo Bonsu’s side of the matter, if the claims by the Asanteman Council were true then it was unfortunate on the mayor’s part.

“The chiefs said Kojo Bonsu failed on three occasions to honour their invitations to discuss some issues with them. If that was the situation, I don’t think it was in the right direction and in human relations, it means you did not give due respect to the traditional authority,” Mr. Amon Kotei said.

“The traditional council has a locus to invite him because two paramount chiefs are represented at the Regional Coordinating Council (RCC) level. The RCC has its functions: it monitors, coordinates and supervises the various districts in the region and so they (the chiefs) have a seat at the RCC.

“When the RCC meets, the MCE is at par with them because they also represent their block and you also represent your block as DCE of a district and so I don’t understand Kojo’s position unless he also comes out to speak then we will appreciate what has really happened.”