The SSNIT Conference room at Adum in Kumasi last week was nearly turned into a boxing arena during a Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly meeting.
Fierce exchange of words ensued between Kumasi Mayor Kojo Bonsu and Presiding Member (PM) of the Assembly, Nana Senya.
The two men nearly heckled each other on the dais over a letter which was supposed to contain the list of members forming the various sub-committees of the House.
Kojo Bonsu said a copy of the letter was sent to Nana Senya for his perusal before the assembly meeting.
But the PM flatly denied the Mayor’s claim, insisting that he was kept in the dark with regards those forming the various sub-committees.
This reportedly resulted in a verbal assault between the Kumasi Mayor and the PM, disrupting the event in the process.
The meeting was to make it possible for Kojo Bonsu to deliver his maiden address to the assemblymen but that was not to be.
People’s suspicion of animosity existing between the two personalities came to bear in the presence of the assemblymen.
The heated debate that ensued between the Mayor and the PM over this minor issue seemed to have shocked the assemblymen present.
It all started when Nana Senya said he was not served with a letter which contained the list of members constituting the various sub-committees of the assembly.
This statement by the PM seemed to have infuriated Kojo Bonsu so he quickly rubbished the PM’s statement.
The Kumasi Mayor said a letter was sent to Nana Senya and that he had even discussed its content with Nana Senya in his (the Mayor’s) office.
Kojo Bonsu said he was extremely shocked and said over Nana Senya’s sudden behaviour at the event.
Before the Mayor could land, spontaneous shouts were sparked among the assemblymen present.
There was confusion in the House as members loyal to both parties were seen throwing verbal blows at each other.
Sources present at the meeting said ugly scenes erupted, disrupting the activities penciled for the day.
There are wide spread rumours in town suggesting that Kojo Bonsu and Nana Senya do not see eye-to-eye.
Those fanning these speculations had given political connotations to their suspicion.
According to them, Kojo Bonsu was a known National Democratic Congress (NDC) member while Nana Senya belonged to the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
They said due to their different political affiliations the Mayor and the PM seemed not to get along.
Some assemblymen told the paper that they were surprised about the rift that erupted at the assembly meeting over this minor issue.
However, they said they were expecting more of such nasty incidents to occur during assembly meetings. This, they feared could affect Kumasi’s development.
Source: Daily Guide
