Riots, Tears & Smiles Over Akufo-Addo’s MMDCE List

Mixed reactions of smiles and jubilations as well as tears, riots and street protests broke out in several parts of the country over the weekend over speculations of which persons would be announced as nominees for the position of Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs).

By Sunday afternoon, the Minister of Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development, Dan Botwe had released the official list of 260 MMDCE nominees and it further cemented the mixed entrenched reactions across the country.

It has some 38 are females and 222 males who would be seeking the votes of the Electoral College of their respective Assemblies.

Odododiodoo Blocks Roads

Even before Dan Botwe’s announcement on Sunday, police had arrested some four leaders of the Concerned Youth of Odododiodoo Constituency, who led a street protest on Saturday upon reports that former Deputy Greater Accra Regional Minister, Elizabeth Sackey, would be announced as the nominee to replace Mohammed Nii Adjei Sowah, the Mayor of Accra.

Some of the youth in area blocked roads, burnt car tyres and demonstrated while threatening to vote against the New Patriotic Party (NPP) if Adjei Sowah is truly replaced with Elizabeth Sackey.

The arrested leaders of the protesters are Salaami Abubakar, 36; Daniel Opare Oman, 43; Edward Holm, 38, and Daniel Clottey, 41.

But Mohammed Nii Adjei Sowah, has called for calm and urged everyone to accept the nomination of Elizabeth Sackey.

“I unequivocally denounce any form of disturbances in my name. As responsible citizens, we should recognise the president’s authority to nominate individuals of his choice to promote his agenda and it’s our duty to support the appointees to succeed”, Adjei Sowah noted in a statement.

He added: “I totally support all the president’s nominations and commit to continue to work towards the development of the country. I take this opportunity to call on all well-meaning Ghanaians, especially the NPP party faithful, to support His Excellency the President’s nominations.”

Nzema East Hits Streets

On Sunday in the Nzema East Municipality, hundreds of persons clad in red and carrying placards hit the streets in demonstration for the retention of the incumbent MCE, Frank Okpenyen affectionately called Franko.

The protestors carried placards with messages directed at President Nana Akufo-Addo. Some of the messages were : “No Franko, No MCE”, “We don’t want NDC MCE”, “Some Chiefs can’t dictate for NPP, retain Franko” and “Without Franko, No NPP”.

Tension Envelopes Fanteakwa North

Fanteakwa North District in Eastern Region had its share of protests against the retention of their District Chief Executive, Charles Oware.

A statement issued by the youth group calling itself Begoro Youth Development Association on Saturday, September 19,2021 few hours to the announcement reminded President Akufo-Addo not to renominate the DCE accusing him of incompetence hence

“Begoro Youth Development Association would like to remind His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo on a petition to his noble Office dated 19th May, 2021 against renomination of Hon Charles Oware Tweneboah from the Youth in Begoro and Fanteakwa North at Large…

“We are by this communique reiterating once again that the Youth in Begoro and Fanteakwa North cannot and will not work with Hon Charles Oware Tweneboah for his abysmal performance for the past Four years Nine Months in office as District Chief Executive for Fanteakwa North” the statement issued Signed by the Director of Operations Staph Ahmed said.

Police On Red Alert

Meanwhile the acting Director of Public Affairs, ACP Kwesi Ofori, has revealed that the Police Administration has deployed personnel nationwide to curb any disturbances that may arise following the release of the list of MMDCEs

ACP Kwesi Ofori spoke with Citi News: “The police administration has directed all the 18 Regional Commanders to make sure that they deploy personnel in the respective regions and ensure that they halt any attempts to disturb the peace of the country.”

“Therefore, the police have increased their presence and visibility, especially in Accra. All the 14 divisions in Accra have deployed personnel across and the region’s command has also given them support, and we are monitoring development closely.

Meanwhile the National Security Coordinator had issued security alerts to all security councils across the nation ahead of the announcement of list.

The alert, captured in the form of a memo, has the subject: ‘ANTICIPATING OF POSSIBLE VIOLENCE AHEAD OF THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF MMDCES’.
It was issued on Thursday, September 16 to chairs of regional security councils (REGSECs), municipal security councils (MUSECs) and district security councils (DISECs).

“There are indications of possible clashes ahead of the announcement of MMDCEs in parts of the country,” it stated.

“REGSEC, MUSEC and DISEC are hereby urged to be on high alert to pre-empt breach of peace in the respective areas.”

Smiles Over Sam Pyne

Meanwhile, there were reports of wild jubilations across the Ashanti Region over the nomination of the NPP Regional Secretary there, Mr. Sam Pyne as the Mayor of Kumasi.

Sam Pyne, himself when asked by Kwame Sefa Kayi on the ‘Kokrokoo’ morning show on Peace 0.3 FM last week about reports that his name was likely to be announced for the position of Kumasi Mayor, his response was that it would not be a bad idea.

Sam Pyne however insisted he would not comment on why the announcement had delayed.

Back in the Greater Accra Region, The New Publisher sighted f several persons in and around the Odododiodoo Constituency on Sunday wearing Elisabeth Sackey branded shirts and on a wild jubilation amidst the playing of drums and dancing.