Breman Asikma (C/R), June 17, GNA - Members of the Asikuma-Odoben-Brakwa District Assembly were on Thursday, held hostage for more than four hours by irate youth for failing to confirm Mr Emmanuel Adjei Doomson as the District Chief Executive (DCE). Twenty of the 35 Assembly members, who gathered at the District Assembly premises to endorse the President's nomination voted against the nominee, while 15 voted in favour. Mr Doomson failed to score 50 per cent of the vote, which disqualified him for a second chance.

Mr Samuel Tettey, Central Regional Electoral Officer who announced the result said the President had to make a new nomination. The announcement sparked off the problem, with the irate youth threatening the members not to come out of the Assembly Hall, since the President's nominee had been rejected. It took the Police a hectic time to rescue some of the targeted members from the Assembly Hall firing more than 30 gunshots and teargas canisters to disperse them.

The youth blocked the road to the Assembly Hall, calling for the blood of Ms Phyllis Nyarko, the Assemblywoman for Breman Kokoso, whom they accused of masterminding the rejection of Mr Doomson. An earlier refusal to accept five government appointees to the Assembly heightened the tension.

Addressing the Assembly after the election, Mr Emmanuel Poku-Adusei, Deputy Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, said the rejection indicated that democracy was growing in the country. He reminded the Assembly Members that with their decision the development programme of the District would be delayed.

Mr Poku Adusei pointed out that it would take time to for the President to nominate another person, which could delay the release of the District Assemblies Common Fund and other donations for development. Nana Ato Arthur, Deputy Central Minister, called on the Assembly to co-operate with the future nominee to enable the District to have its fair share of the national cake.