STMA Fails To Elect PM

John Davies (Left) and Mr Gyamson
The Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly (STMA) on Tuesday failed to elect a Presiding Member (PM) after a second round of voting.

In all, 71 elected and government-appointed assembly members took part in the polls.

Yusif Gyamson, a government-appointed assembly member, polled 39 of the total votes while his opponent, John Davies, assembly member for Anaji West, polled 32 votes in the first round of the elections supervised by the Electoral Commission (EC).

Because none of the candidates secured the required two-third majority of the votes cast to become the presiding member, the election had to go to a second round.

In the second round, Mr Gyamson had 39 votes again and Mr Davies polled 32 votes.

The leadership of the assembly subsequently adjourned proceedings till Monday to enable the candidates to campaign for fresh elections.

Commodore Steve Obimbeh, who inaugurated the assembly, urged the members to relegate personal interest to the background and be committed to raising the living standards of the people who elected them.

“Work in unity and with a common goal of developing your various electoral areas,” he advised.

He said assemblies formed the bedrock of decentralisation and called on them to formulate strategies that would help in developing the country as a whole.

Alhaji Ishaq Asuru, the Coordinating Director of STMA, explained that the key mandate of the assembly is to mobilise the available resources for the development of the municipality.

He noted that the assembly also provides a platform for the full participation of local people in governance process.

He indicated that the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly has over the years tried to fulfil its mandate, adding that it has achieved significant success though there are some challenges to overcome.

Nana Kobina Nketia V, Omanhene of Essikado Traditional Area, called on the members not to politicise the assembly's concepts.

“Sekondi-Takoradi is a cosmopolitan area and people must live together as one with a common goal to develop this metropolis,” he added.

The Member of Parliament (MP) for Takoradi, Kwabena Okyere Darko Mensah, and MP for Kwesimintsim, Joseph Cudjoe, were present.

From Emmanuel Opoku, Sekondi