Mr. Eric Muah, who was nominated by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo as District Chief Executive (DCE) for the Jomoro District of the Western Region but was rejected by the Assembly Members in July this year, has declared his unflinching support for the newly nominated DCE, Mr. Ernest Kofie.

President Akufo-Addo through a letter signed by the Local Government Minister, Hon Hajia Alima Mahama on October 17, 2017, nominated Mr. Ernest Kofie the ruling New Patriotic Party's (NPP) Constituency Chairman for Jomoro as DCE nominee for Jomoro District.

Mr. Eric Muah stepped aside as DCE nominee on July 28, 2017, to pave way for President Akufo-Addo to nominate a new person for the position.

Background

Mr. Eric Muah who was rejected three times by Assembly Members as District Chief Executive (DCE) for Jomoro stepped aside as DCE nominee to pave way for the nomination of a new person.

In an election organized by the Jomoro District Electoral Officer, Mr Isaac Ano Otoo and witnessed by Western Regional Minister, Dr Kwaku Afriyie, the DCE nominee failed to get the required two-thirds votes of the Assembly Members as stated by law.

Out of the 48 Assembly Members present, 25 voted YES while 22 voted NO and 1 spoiled ballot on July 24, 2017.

However, with the nominee securing 53%, he automatically qualified to be voted on the position for the fourth time at a date to be announced later by the Electoral Commission in ten days time.

Mr. Eric Muah rejection was not a surprise because 22 elected Assembly Members came out publicly in a press release that if the DCE nominee didn't resign immediately, they will vote against him. They made that statement before the confirmation date.

After the rejection of the DCE nominee, the angry supporters of the NPP chanted that, "no Eric Muah, no DCE for Jomoro and no 9, no 10" However, the President's nominee gave up the dream of becoming a DCE and didn't go for the fourth round.

A press release dated, July 28 and sighted by Daniel Kaku, the rejected nominee indicated that he was stepping aside for the sake of Jomoro development.

He said, "though I still have constitutionally mandatory ten days to go for another election, I would by no means try to hold the development of the District into ransom considering the amount of money that has been sunk into this simple exercise. I believe the money could be saved for developmental projects"

Mr Eric Muah expressed his profound appreciation to the President of the Republic of Ghana, His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for the honour done him.

"I thank the President of the Republic for the honour done me as He nominated me twice to be his representative for Jomoro District"

Per the 22 votes obtained by Mr. Eric Muah, the residents of Jomoro are afraid that the President's nominee could be rejected.

But speaking to the media, Mr. Eric Muah, appealed to the 48 Assembly Members to confirm the President's nominee for the sake of Jomoro development stressing that he does not have anything against the President's nominee. "I totally support Mr. Ernest Kofie as DCE nominee and wish him well".

"Please Hon Assembly Members, this is another opportunity to redeem our District. Let's endorse chairman Earnest Kofie once and for all. I hope u will grant him that favour"

"I beg the Assembly Members who are thinking of voting against the President's nominee, to reconsider their position and give him 100%", Mr. Muah pleaded.

He also appealed to his supporters and sympathizers to remain calm and respect the President's decision.

He added, "Jomoro District is lagging behind in terms of development as I speak to you other Districts have started benefiting from President Akufo-Addo's programs thus one District, one factory, planting for food and jobs etc so I call on all the Assembly Members to confirm Mr. Ernest Kofie so that we the good people of Jomoro District will also have our share of the national cake".

He reminded the Assembly that the absence of a DCE had the potential to cripple the development agenda of the area.

An Investigation conducted by Ghanaweb's Western Regional Correspondent, Daniel Kaku in the District revealed that majority of people in the area, have commended Hon. Eric Muah for the great sense of maturity for not bringing confusion in the District and for that matter the NPP party after he was rejected on three occasions.

Some supporters of the NPP in the Jomoro Constituency have appealed to President Nana Addo to consider Hon Eric Muah and give him a new portfolio since he has shown great love for the NPP party in the Constituency.

They added that when similar case happened in the Ellembelle District, the rejected DCE was appointed as Manager of Ghana Gas Company.

"Mr. Eric Muah love the NPP party and has the party at heart, since he was rejected as DCE nominee, he has been defending the NPP government on radio stations in the Jomoro constituency", they added.

Mr. Eric Muah is the current Deputy Secretary and Acting Youth Organizer of the NPP for the Jomoro Constituency.