An attempt by aggrieved members of the Ejisu Municipal Assembly to pass a vote of no confidence against the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Hon Jerryne Asante, hit a snag today after the Assembly Hall was locked, allegedly on the orders of the MCE.
Heavy police presence was also deployed to the premises to protect the Assembly amid rising tension surrounding the aborted meeting.
Dressed in red and black attire with red armbands to signal their protest, the local representatives convened a press conference outside the locked venue to register their displeasure.
Addressing the media on behalf of the group, George Kuntu Blankson, Assembly Member for Kwamo, stated that members arrived to find the premises locked.
Inquiries made at the Assembly’s Works Department allegedly revealed that the hall keys had been confiscated by the MCE.
The assembly members also revealed that the Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr Frank Amoakohene, had officially written to the Assembly requesting a postponement of the exercise to allow for a scheduled meeting to address their concerns.
According to the members, the Electoral Commission, which was expected to supervise the vote, confirmed receiving a copy of the Regional Minister’s letter, explaining its absence at the venue.
However, the aggrieved members strongly condemned the actions of both the Regional Minister and the MCE, describing the move as an unlawful overreach.
They emphasised that under local governance laws, only the Presiding Member of the Assembly holds the constitutional mandate to convene, schedule, or postpone assembly meetings, not the Regional Minister or the MCE.
The move to oust Hon Asante follows months of escalating tension over allegations of financial irregularities, administrative overreach, and repeated disregard for assembly directives.
The group highlighted several unaddressed findings previously brought before the Assembly’s Public Relations and Complaints Committee, which had summoned the MCE in April 2026.
Specifically, the MCE and her personal aide are alleged to have diverted GHS 29,000 collected from a local company in August 2025.
The funds, intended for property rates and business operating permits, were allegedly converted into roofing sheets for personal use.
The MCE is accused of leasing two COCOBOD warehouses, handed over to the Assembly, to private traders for personal financial gain, failing to remit any proceeds into municipal coffers.
Assembly members also cited continuous complaints from local market traders regarding deteriorating sanitation conditions and alleged systematic extortion by the MCE’s personal aide.
Despite being given a two-week deadline by the General Assembly on 30 April 2026, to resolve these matters and refund the diverted funds, the MCE failed to comply.
Consequently, the assembly members have issued a one-week ultimatum for Hon Asante to voluntarily resign.
They have also called on President John Mahama to urgently revoke her appointment and appoint a replacement to safeguard local governance, accountability, and development within the Ejisu Municipality.
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