Kumasi, Nov. 8, GNA - Members of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) has been urged to move away from the unenviable tradition of threats to remove Metropolitan Chief Executives (MCEs) to restore the dignity of the Assembly.

This was contained in a statement issued by the "Apagyafiem Gentle Club," a political pressure group and signed by its leaders, Messrs Awuah Brobbey, Charles Anarfi and Atta Frimpong.

It said it found it despicable that few members of the Assembly driven purely by self-seeking ambition have constituted themselves into group always plotting mischief.

"These assembly members by their activities been projecting a bad image for the KMA and scampering the development of the Metropolis". The Club said it was a bit curious that a particular group of members of the Assembly should always be at the forefront of all agitations for the removal of the MCE.

It criticised the group for their recent call on the MCE, Mr Maxwell Kofi Jumah, to step down, describing it as "irresponsible, reckless and without merit".

It noted that Kumasi under Mr Jumah has seen progress in the areas of revenue mobilisation, education, water and sanitation and general social infrastructure provision.

The Club said its own research at the KMA showed that revenue collection by the assembly has progressed from three billion cedis in 2000 to seven billion in 2001 and 13.5 billion cedis in 2002.

Besides, the records revealed that since the assumption of office by Mr Jumah in 2001, the KMA has undertaken 62 school projects, 17 markets, 33 sanitation and waste management projects, eight water and health projects and tremendous improvement of streetlights.

The Club said it was also refreshing that through the MCE's initiative 82 million dollars has been secured under sister city programmes to develop the Kumasi Central and Asafo markets.

It expressed total confidence and support for Mr Jumah and asked that he must be given the peace to perform.