Kumasi (Ashanti Region) 13 Aug ?99

A group calling itself "Concern citizens of Kumasi" on Thursday went on a peaceful demonstration for the removal of Nana Akwasi Agyeman as the Kumasi Metropolitan Chief Executive.

Accompanied with brass band music, the demonstrators mostly youth and children carried a large banner with the inscription, "Kumasi Su" ("Kumasi is crying") and other placards marched through some of the streets of the metropolis.

They later presented a resolution to the Ashanti Regional Minister, Mr Kojo Yankah. Mr Kwadwo Owusu Kyenkyenhene, spokesman of the group said the demonstration was an appeal to the Government to remove the Metropolitan Chief Executive for not performing well.

They said the Government should replace him with a more competent, development oriented and hard-working person.

The resolution said the presence of Nana Agyeman at KMA was "causing harm to the Metropolis and the Government".

"So we cherish the hope that Nana Akwasi Agyeman, a royal son of Kumasi, who is supposed to maintain and keep the city clean but is rather messing up things, will be removed".

The demonstrators pledged their full support to the position taken by the 46 elected assembly members on the vote of no confidence resolution in the MCE.

Mr Yankah advised the demonstrators to return to their homes peacefully and not to create any problem for the Police, who escorted them to the Regional Co-ordinating Council.