General News of Friday, 31 August 2001

Source: GNA

Manya Krobo Assembly finally confirms Tei

Under a heavy cloak of about 100 combat ready Policemen, the Manya Krobo District Assembly on Thursday confirmed Mr Andrews Tei, once a subject of much vilification by a section of the youth wing of the New Patriotic Party in the area, as District Chief Executive (DCE).

He polled 64, out of the 65 valid votes cast putting his confirmation in a sharp contrast to the May 25 meeting of the assembly, which was disrupted by a violent protest by the youths who felt the party leadership had passed over their preferred candidate, Demarh Narh.

The ensuing tussle ended in a Koforidua High Court, when the youth disengaged themselves from the case.

To encase the assembly to perform its legitimate duty without harassment, the Police cordoned off the meeting place from the prying public, allowing only the members, the press and electoral officers into the hall and positioned an anti-riot vehicle outside it with several armed to the teeth officers at vantage points near the assembly premises.

The Deputy Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Captain Nkrabeah Effah-Dartey (rtd), said he had to rush from Accra to Odumase Krobo following reports that there was likely to be a breach of the peace.

He commended the assembly members for the feat and charged them to rally behind the new DCE to resolve the myriad of problems that confront the people, which have been worsened because of the absence of a DCE.

Meanwhile, President John Agyekum Kufuor has nominated Joseph Yaw Oduro as District Chief Executive for Offinso, a statement by Mr Kwadwo Baah Wiredu, Minister for Local Government and Rural Development on Thursday, said.