Ashaiman, April 25, GNA - Eleven out of 16 assembly

members of the Ashaiman Municipal Assembly (ASHMA) on

Friday voted in favour of the President's nominee, Mr Addison

Adinortey Numo, 45-year old teacher as the Municipal Chief

Executive amidst confusion over the term of office of the presiding

member. Mr. Numo was declared the Municipal Chief Executive

by Mr Michael Boadu, Tema Regional Electoral Officer after

members relocated from the forecourt of the assembly where the

meeting was being held into the assembly hall to vote due to the

rains. The MCE in his acceptance speech after being sworn in

by Mr S.E.Y. Azuma, Ashiaman Circuit Court judge thanked the

members for the confidence reposed in him. He promised to map out strategies, including seeking

expert advice in tackling the challenges facing the municipality

including poor sanitation and unemployment. He also called on the residents to rededicate themselves

to the development of Ashaiman as well as change their attitude to

foster unity among them. Earlier before the vote, Mr Abdul Aziz Suleman and Mr

Thomas Adongo, assembly members for Asenso and Roman Down

electoral areas raised objection against the tenure of Mr Emmanuel

Dsane, presiding member for the assembly. Mr Adongo whose issue was ignored by the presiding

member marched forward to the high table to express his

displeasure but was restrained and pushed back by the public. The two explained that the term of office of the presiding

member expired on November 30, 2008 since he was to occupy the

position for one year since the assembly was carved out of the

Tema Metropolitan Assembly (TMA) whose presiding member had

already served one year. Mr Dsane however, argued that he is mandated by law to

occupy the office for two years and as far as he was concerned his

term has not expired. He therefore advised the assembly members to air their

grievances through the right channel suggesting that they could write

a resolution or take the issue to court.