Gomoa Assin (C/R), June 1, GNA - The chiefs of Gomoa East have threatened to withdraw the recognition of 17 members of the Gomoa East District Assembly for engaging in activities that are not in the interest of the people who elected them. The chiefs, led by Obrifo Ahumaku Ahor Ankobea II, Omanhene of the Gomoa Akyempim Traditional Area, accused the assembly members led by Prince Charles Abbam, the Presiding Member, who call themselves "Al-Qaeda" group, for showing gross disrespect to them. Obrifo Ahor Ankobea issued the threat at a meeting called at Gomoa Assin to discuss some issues affecting the district with the group but they refused to attend.

The meeting was scheduled to start at 1600 hours but for over three hours no member of the group showed up except four elected and seven out of the nine government appointees attended. The assembly is made up of 21 elected and nine appointees.

It was unfortunate, the Omanhene said, the people "we elected to go and fight for the development of our communities have turned against us and are now promoting only their own welfare."

"We are reliably informed that their leader, Prince Charles Abbam has confided in one of our chiefs that he has been promised a car and a number of projects to execute by one of the aspirants for the position of District Chief Executive if they reject Mr Ampah for him (the aspirant) to get the chance to be nominated and confirmed." "We cannot sit down unconcerned for the 17 members to take over 100,000 people in the district to ransom," the chief said and threatened to organize the electorate not to return them to the assembly next year when district level elections are held.

When Prince Abbam was contacted on the phone he said he did not attend the meeting due to an earlier engagement he had at New Ningo in the Greater Accra Region.

On rejection of Mr Ampah, he said they did that to ensure that the assembly got a Chief Executive who could promote development of the area.