President Kufuor has warned ''rebel'' leaders in the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) impasse to stop engaging in a press war. This, he said does not augur well for development in the metropolis. The President gave the warning at a meeting with factions involved in the two-year old titanic struggle.

It was attended by a section of the KMA officials who are top gurus of the NPP and the Metropolitan Chief Executive (MCE), Maxwell Kofi Jumah. According to the ''Independent'', the struggle between the two parties was dragged to the office of the President last Thursday.

The evening meeting which was held behind closed doors lasted almost four hours. Present at the meeting were three main ''rebel'' leaders of the 87-member Assembly who have been calling for the resignation of the MCE.

They are Nana Kofi Senyah of New Suame Electoral Area, Akuamoah Boateng for Ahinsan and George Nsiah, representing Ashanti Town Electoral Area. Ten other members of the KMA who have rooted for the retention of Maxwell Jumah as the MCE were also present.

According to information available to the paper, the President expressed grave concern about problems within the KMA and asked the two sides to take a second look at the whole affair.