Regional News of Wednesday, 28 August 2013

Source: Daily Guide

KMA boss, PM smoke peace pipe

Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly’s (KMA) Chief Executive Officer, Kojo Bonsu and his Presiding Member (PM), Nana Kofi Senya, have met for the first time since a power struggle broke between them, which threatened the unity of the assembly.

Leader of Ashanti Regional MPs Caucus, Madam Elizabeth Agyemang, said the two men agreed to settle issues that had strained their relationship.

The duo fell out after the PM reportedly refused to sign an official document relating to the release of the assembly’s share of the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF) for development projects in the metropolis when the MCE presented the documents to him.

The pair, who are from the same political stock – the National Democratic Congress (NDC) – were on good terms until the altercation between them that fateful Friday at the premises of the Ashanti Regional Co-ordinating Council.

UNITY CALL

At a general meeting of the assembly yesterday, Elizabeth Agyemang, Member of Parliament of Oforikrom Constituency in Kumasi, stated that the meeting organised by the MPs Caucus centred on a wide range of issues touching on the need for peace and unity of the assembly to bring about development in the city.

According to her, the two KMA officials pledged not to allow such incident to happen again as the people of Kumasi needed to see the development of the metropolis rather than unnecessary quarrel.

The MP popularly referred to as people’s mother indicated that it came to light during the peace talk that both leaders had assembly members supporting their course.

“We’re asking for unity and love for all us to live together as one people without any reference to our political background,” Ms Agyemang stressed.

In a response, PM Senya thanked the Ashanti Regional MPs Caucus for the steps they took in resolving differences between him and the KMA boss.

Other speakers such as Patricia Appiagyei, Atta Boafo and Collins Owusu Amankwa, Members of Parliament for Asokwa, Fomena and Manhyia North Constituencies respectively, all added their voices to the call for peace and unity at the assembly.