The Chamber of Local Governance(CHALOG) is condemning what it describe as the unnecessary interference in local assembly decisions.
The caution follows violence clashes which erupted in Cape coast when Presidential nominee for Cape coast Metropolitan Assembly Ernest Arthur was subjected to another round of confirmation election as the Chief Executive for the area.
Although Mr.Arthur secured 45 out of the 63 votes cast, the voting did not go down smoothly as a fight emerged after an unidentified person allegedly snatched some ballot papers.
The 63 members present cast their ballots
amidst heavy armed police presence, but that did not prevent tempers from rising, resulting in the disturbances, which the police had a tough time to bring under control.
However, observers who were happy about the results sung and danced in appreciation to celebrate the victory, leaving the venue in a jubilant mood.
The nominee, who had been rejected twice by the Assembly, looked cheerful after the Metro Electoral Officer announced the results.
Mr Arthur, in an interview with the Ghana News Agency, expressed gratitude to President Akufo-Addo and the Assembly for the confidence reposed in him to serve the area.
He gave the assurance that he would work hard to achieve the President’s vision of transforming the nation.
Mr Joseph Korto, the National Dean of Presiding Members in Ghana, who supervised the polls, said the voting was successful despite the misunderstanding during the sorting and counting.
He described the situation as “unfortunate” because Assembly members were law abiding and should not engage in that behaviour.
Mr Korto appealed to political parties to desist from meddling in the confirmation of metropolitan, municipal and district chief executives as it was a non-partisan affair.
He encouraged assembly members to respect each other regardless of their political affiliations.
Shortly after, news came in that Mr Arthur had won the 45 votes needed to secure him the two-thirds majority, with 18 of the votes going against him.
Commenting on the development, the Executive Director for the Chamber of Local Governance Dr. Richard Fiadomor condemns the attacks and blame the situation on the unnecessary interference in local assembly affairs by the central government.
