Some aggrieved assembly members at the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly,(KMA) in a fiery tone amidst the wearing of red-shirts with arm bands to match has slammed Kojo Bonsu, the Kumasi Metro Chief Executive for acting reckless and arbitrary in the allocation of stalls to persons wanting to own some after its completion.
The group, also accused the MCE for bypassing the Asanteman Committee which was set up to resolve issues regarding the allocation of both completed stalls at the Acheamfuor Market and the yet to be completed stalls at Kejetia.
They were livid that the Mayor could unilaterally write a letter to the Manhyia Committee ordering that they stay off issues they were mandated to oversee and allow the Local Government Ministry and the Regional Minister to be in charge of the allocations.
The assemblymen, have, unanimously called for the MCE’s removal from office, hinting they would organize series of protest marches and briefings to ensure the President heed to their call.
Speaking at a well patronized press conference in Kumasi, Nana Kofi Senya, assembly-man for Suame and spokesperson for the group described the activities of the Mayor since assumption of office as ‘tyrannical and arbitrary’.
According to him, the MCE had side-stepped every agreed issue discussed at the general assembly and carried out a unilateral decision on every activity or development project earmarked by the Assembly.
FRAUD:
The spokesperson claimed the Mayor had fraudulently offered some of the yet to be completed stalls up for sale without recourse to the agreed process.
In the said shady deal, he accused Kojo Bonsu for selling each of the stalls at a whopping ghc25,000.00, which the spokesperson said were way too high from the agreed Ghc 1,500.00 to be paid by interested parties and the rest of the amount spread for them to pay over a period.
Nana Senya disclosed, 2,000 people had so far paid the astronomical amount, adding it amounted to GHC 60,000,000.00(sixty million ghana cedis).
”As we speak, about 2,000 stores or shops have been completed and a simple calculation would give us close to GHC 60,000,000.00”, Nana Senya drummed.
This attitude by the Mayor, he noted was blatant extortion, indicating it warranted his dismissal from office if government was truly concerned about the welfare of citizens of the Kumasi metropolis.
APOLOGY:
The group, has meanwhile rendered an unqualified apology to the Overlord of Asanteman, Otumfuo Osei-Tutu II for the contents of a letter the Mayor is alleged to have written asking the Asanteman Council and its Committee to step aside for the Local Government to do the allocation of the stalls and shops.
According to the group, the KMA had been able to operate by the express permission and authority of the Asantehene, adding any unwarranted attack on the authority of Manhyia and the Asanteman Council is not only disrespectful but the pressing of the doom button.
”The Asanteman Committee set up by the Asantehene, had been the sole authority that ensured peace prevailed in the resettlement of the former traders at the Kumasi Kejetia terminal”, Nana Senya stated.
He, therefore, wondered why the same authority could be insulted and bastardized by the Mayor and the KMA that had, interestingly, benefited from its set up.
RESPONSE:
In a brief chat with the Ghanaian Observer Newspaper, Godwin Okumah Nyame, Public Relations Officer for the KMA said the Mayor would respond to the allegations in due course.
He, however, confirmed hearing the issues raised at the press conference by the aggrieved group, but pleaded the paper gives him time to consult and give the appropriate responses.
But, strenuous attempts to get the spokesperson of the Mayor, Samuel Gyamfi to respond to the issues raised at the press conference proved futile.
The group, had earlier accused Mr Gyamfi for being the one responsible for the collection of the stated GHC 25, 000.00 on behalf of the Mayor from interested persons.
