Rejected MCE in double trouble …residents protest for his replacement

Yesterday Tuesday September 28, hundreds of persons in the Atwima Nwabiagya South Municipality dressed in red and marched on the streets amidst chanting of war songs and the display of several placards with inscriptions against his retention of Michael Amoah Awuku as Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for the Assembly.

They disclosed it is just the beginning of a series of protests to be held until he himself vacates the MCE position even if he is imposed on them through whatever means fair or foul.

Some of the angry protesters were seen pushing clenched fists skywards and wagging their forefingers while changing war slogans and threatening to vote against any Assembly Member who would vote in favour of Michael Amoah Awuku when he is put up again as MCE nominee

Michael Amoah Awuku was rejected at the last polls meant to vote him into office and while he is lacing boots to re-contest the position, the long-standing acrimony between himself and several relevant stakeholders in community leadership; including chiefs, religious leaders, Assembly Members and ordinary townsfolk was made manifest and it is clear community development would be stalled unless he is replaced and a new person nominated as MCE.

The thirst for political power of just one man, Michael Amoah Awuku to be retained MCE, has sparked a new series of protests, street demonstrations and an ever-growing tensed environment in the area; rapidly dwindling the public goodwill of the government of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

Many have described his continuous ambition, despite the negative feedback  as a self-centered and politically-suicidal decision for one man to insist he should be voted MCE at all cost even when the very persons he is to serve say they do not want him and have hit the streets to publicly state their mistrust, dislike and disapproval of his candidature.

Mr. Amoah Awuku could not secure the required minimum of two thirds of all valid votes cast at the polls last Friday and this means he would have to be re-nominated for fresh polls to be organized, within some ten days, in the hope that he would secure the required number of votes before he can serve as MCE for a second term.

The very residents who voted for the Assembly Members from the respective Electoral Areas to join the Assembly are now threatening vote against any Assembly Member who would cast a vote in favour of Awuku Amoah, a double trouble situation for him.

What makes the matter worse for him and could cause the sitting government some political currency is the fact that persons who have openly taken a stance against Michael Amoah Awuku have suffered several and varied degrees of insults, verbal attacks and threats.

Some have received provocative audio messages which in summary is calling their bluff and daring them that with or without their votes, Michael Amoah Awuku would be retained as MCE.

What is disturbing and should be a source of worry for the government of the day and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) for that matter is the fact that the verbal attacks has been extended to some key party leaders and traditional authorities in the area and could degenerate into post-polls  acrimony.

It is shocking that a reconciliatory and peaceful tactic is not being adopted in managing the situation so as to create some harmony and internal coercion ahead of the next polls but rather a divisive and intimidating approach with trappings of Machiavellian tactics.

The insults and intimidations has heightened the entrenched positions and made t eve more difficult for the nominee to woo additional votes to his side.

“We are committed to the pact we have with President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo but the anchor of that pact in this our area will lead us nowhere reason we have rejected him to send a signal to the president that Awuku is not a unifier and may not help his course”, the Assembly Members told journalists after voting on Friday September 24, 2021.

 

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