Amansaman (GR), May 9, GNA - Nana Bram Okae, a retired University Lecturer was on Monday elected the Presiding Member of the Ga West District Assembly at Amasaman in the Greater Accra Region. Three members abstained while 36 voted for the 59-year-old lecturer after second round of balloting.

Mr Thomas Okai, an assemblyman for Okushiviade Electoral Area who contended with Nana Okae later withdrew and threw his support to Nana Okae.

In the first round of voting none of the two men could secure the two-thirds majority as Nana Okae and Thomas Okai had 29 and 10 votes respectively.

Ms Gloria Akuffo, Deputy Regional Minister inaugurated the 51- member assembly of which 39 were present. She congratulated the assembly members for the maturity they showed in the conduct of the elections.

Ms Akuffo called on the assembly members to focus on the development of the area and must be accountable to the people. Ms Shirley Ayorkor Botchway, Deputy Minister of Information urged the assembly to explain government programmes and actions to the people at the grassroot.

She said as part of their development efforts they should push government agenda forward, since they represented authority at the local communities.

Nana Okae, thanked the assembly members for the confidence and trust reposed in him and promised to use his tenure of office to tackle the low level of education in the area.

"Education is important for the improvement and development of our district...all children must go to school," he said. Mrs Ivy Heward-Mills, Nsawam Circuit Court Judge admitted the oath of allegiance, secrecy and office to the members of the assembly.