John Davies (right) being sworn in as new PM for STMA
The Assembly Member for Anaji East, near Takoradi, has been elected as the new Presiding Member (PM) for the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly (STMA).
He took over from Yusif Gyamson, a former Director of the National Commission on Civic Education (NCCE) in the Western Region and the immediate past PM of STMA.
The new PM was elected in the first round of voting unlike in the past where the PM had to be elected after several rounds of voting.
During the election supervised by the Electoral Commission (EC) on Monday, Davies, the sole candidate for the PM position, polled 65 ‘YES’ votes out of the 66 valid votes cast. One person voted against him while three ballots were rejected.
In his acceptance speech after being sworn-in by Mrs Susana Eduful, a magistrate in the metropolis, Mr Davies thanked the assembly members for the confidence reposed in him.
“I am deeply humbled by the exceptional mandate and the extraordinary confidence you have exhibited today. I promise not to let the assembly members and the residents in Sekondi-Takoradi down,” he disclosed.
He promised to offer the requisite assistance to the incoming Metropolitan Chief Executive (MCE), technocrats and other workers of the assembly to find lasting solutions to the challenges facing the assembly.
Twenty-three new assembly members appointed by the government to the assembly were also sworn in.
Meanwhile, the Western Regional Communications Director of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Okatakyie Amankwa Afrifa, popularly called ‘OKT, has advised those aspiring to become Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) in the region to critically assess themselves.
Already some activists of the NPP in some constituencies in the region have indicated their unhappiness with certain people penciled for the position of DCEs and government appointed assembly members.
In the Ahanta West for instance, some NPP activists have petitioned the office of the regional chairman over the selection of some applicants for the post.
The petitioners argued that some applicants, whose names should have been included in the list, were ignored.
Speaking to DAILY GUIDE, OKT asked the party’s activists to appreciate the fact that the President has the prerogative to appoint anyone.
He, therefore, called on the party’s activists to exercise restraint since the regional executives have resolved to ensure the selection of the right persons for the various positions.
OKT said the country would work again considering the experienced people President Nana Akufo-Addo had so far appointed as ministers.
“I am extremely happy the vetting process is telecast live for Ghanaians to see the level of knowledge of the ministers-designate,” he added.
He continued “Not only do they share problem solving ideas and how to administer their various ministries, their past records give confidence to everyone.”
According to him, those who had already been approved by parliament have started working, saying “and I am extremely confident and have great hope in the future of Ghana.”
OKT, who is the son of the late General Akwasi Amankwaa Afrifa, called on Ghanaians to be optimistic.
“With the wealth of experience, knowledge and competent men in various ministries and departments, the youth and Ghanaians in general can bank their hopes on the Nana-Addo-led administration.
Mr. Afrifa, who is the manager of Dynamite FM in Tarkwa, also expressed his appreciation to Ghanaians for voting overwhelmingly for Nana Akufo-Addo, saying “we will deliver.”
From Emmanuel Opoku, Takoradi