Cape Coast, Feb. 7, GNA - Ms Mercy Arhin, 60, retired educationist nominated by the President for the position of Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) was on Wednesday confirmed by members of the Cape Coast Municipal Assembly at a ceremony held under tight security at Cape Coast. She polled 49 of the 59 votes as against 9 and one rejected and the Supervising High Court judge, Mr Justice Erasmus Gyinae swore her into office right after her confirmation.

The Cape Coast MCE position became vacant as a result of the death of the former Chief Executive, Alhaji Muniru Arafat Nuhu in March last year and the Central Regional Minister; Nana Ato Arthur had been acting till date.

Ms Arhin's nomination generated a lot of controversies amongst the New Patriotic Party (NPP) constituency members with some calling for her withdrawal.

Ms Arhin before her confirmation appealed to the assembly members to consider the fact that Cape Coast was lagging behind in development and called for the endorsement of her nomination to enable her to draw a programme to accelerate its progress.

She said posterity would not forgive them if they failed to engage the right people who had the development of the area at heart to help fight poverty and ensure development.

Nana Ato Arthur stated that it was the desire of people in the area to eradicate poverty, while wealth was generated to ensure the total transformation of the status of the municipality. He appealed to all residents to lend support to the new MCE, eschew any divisive tendencies to help turn the fortune of the municipality around.

Mr Kwaku Adusei-Poku, Deputy Minister of Local Government and Rural Development in a remark advised Ms Arhin to be transparent, impartial and also live above reproach to enable her to succeed. He also asked her to focus on the generation of funds internally by ensuring that the necessary mechanisms were put in place for it to succeed.

The MCE later thanked the President and the Assembly for the honour done her and appealed for the support of all.