BIRIM NORTH REJECTS GOVT NOMINEE (PAGE 17)

Story: Nana Yaw Konadu, New Abirem

ASSEMBLY members of the Birim North District in the Eastern Region last Friday rejected Mr Emmanuel Amoako, the President's nominee for the post of Chief Executive for the district.
Mr Amoako, who is currently the Birim North Constituency Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), polled 12 votes out of 27, representing 44.4 per cent of the votes cast, thus disqualifying him for a second balloting.
This is in line with clause 16 (1) of the Standing Order for the appointment of District, Municipal and Metropolitan Chief Executives.
It states: "Any nominee of the President who at any time fails to poll 50 per cent of the votes of the members present and voting, shall be withdrawn by the President, who shall nominate another person for approval by the assembly.”
The election, which was conducted in a tensed atmosphere under the supervision of the Electoral Commission, was witnessed by the Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Kwadwo Affram Asiedu; the Minister of Lands, Mines and Forestry, Ms Esther Dapaah; the Director of the Eastern Regional Co-ordinating Council, Mr Samuel Bawaah, and Nana Acquah Frimpong, the outgoing DCE for Birim North.
Prior to the voting, Mr Affram Asiedu entreated the members of the House to put the past behind them and forge ahead in unity by voting “’one touch’ for the President’s nominee”.
This, he said, would enhance the district's socio-economic development.
“It is my anticipation that to show your appreciation to the President’s concern for Birim North, you will make the confirmation of Mr Amoako a ‘one-touch’ process.”
However, after the announcement of the results of the elections by the Eastern Regional Director of the EC, Mr Paul Boateng, Mr Affram Asiedu commended the members of the House for exercising their franchise, saying that “as a democratic government, we respect and will abide by your democratic decision.”
Addressing the assembly members just before the balloting, Mr Amoako, who expressed his appreciation to the President for nominating him for the position, also stressed the need for the assembly members to put the past behind them and work together to develop the area.
He outlined the need to make education accessible to all children of school age in the area particularly those in remote communities as one of the tools to eradicate poverty, under-development, ignorance and disease.
For her part, Ms Dapaah stated that a new district, Akyemmansa, which was carved out of the Birim North District, would facilitate the rapid development of the two political entities.
A number of the assembly members who spoke to the Daily Graphic attributed the failure of Mr Amoako to secure the needed votes to his poor relationship with them.