Half-Assini (W/R) Oct. 9 GNA - Members of the Jomoro District Assembly have voted to confirm Mr Martin Nyameke Ackah, President's Nominee as the District Chief Executive (DCE) for Jomoro.

Thirty-one out of the 41 members present at an emergency meeting at Half-Assini voted to endorse his nomination while 10 others voted against him.

There was heavy police presence to ensure law and order following rumours that some of his opponents were organising to disrupt the voting which turned out to be orderly and peaceful.

Officials from the Electoral Commission supervised the voting. Mr Ackah, 29, a product of the Cape Coast University and Assembly Member for Amanzuri Electoral Area succeeds Mr Ketiboa Blay, who was removed from office by the President in March.

Mr Joseph Boahen Aidoo, Western Regional Minister, had earlier warned that he would not countenance any unruly behaviour of demonstrators to intimidate or influence the thinking of any of the Assembly Members. The demonstrators were alleged to have vowed to disrupt the voting and manhandle some of the Assembly Members thereby creating a tense atmosphere before the voting.

This, however, changed when Mr Aidoo promised full protection by security personnel present, and told them to vote according to their own conscience.

There was wild jubilation amid singing and dancing by supporter and sympathiser of the new DCE after the announcement of the results of the voting.

The assembly has a chequered history, in that none of the last four District Chief Executives served a full term of office due to political wrangling, petty squabble and jealousies among members.

"Your assembly is at crossroads and it is up to you to decide its fate and the fate of the people in their clamour for development", the Regional Minister told them.

Mr Aidoo urged the new DCE to make respect, tolerance and hard work his watchword and not to use his new position to settle old scores. He called on members of the assembly to work as a team to harness the immense potentials of the area for the benefit of the people.

Mr Ackah promised to run an open-door administration and called for cooperation from all to move the District forward.