The Bolgatanga Municipal Assembly has elected the Assembly Member for Soe Central Electoral Area, Lambert Akunzibe, as its new Presiding Member with overwhelming approval from the House.
The election followed the end of the tenure of the former Presiding Member, Stephen Abelimah Akugre, who is also the Assembly Member for Kumbilgo/Bolingo Electoral Area.
In the first round of voting, three members were nominated: Stephen Akugre, Assembly Member for Kumbilgo Electoral Area; former Presiding Member Akoliga Christopher, Assembly Member for Daporetidongo Electoral Area; and Lambert Akunzibe, Assembly Member for Soe Central Electoral Area.
After voting, Mr. Akugre polled 8 votes, Akoliga Christopher had 7 votes, while Mr. Akunzibe led with 23 votes.
However, per the Local Governance Act, a nominee must obtain a two-thirds majority of total votes cast to be confirmed as Presiding Member.
The Electoral Commission subsequently called for a short recess after a 10-minute consultation among members. When the House reconvened, former Presiding Member Stephen Akugre, who had contested to retain the position, stepped down to allow Mr. Akunzibe to go unopposed.
Speaking after stepping down, Mr. Akugre said he yielded the position to allow his “younger brother” to serve, but urged Assembly Members of the Bolgatanga Municipal Assembly to moderate their expectations of the Presiding Member’s office.
Out of 41 Assembly Members, 40 were eligible to vote. Mr. Akunzibe, as the sole nominee in the second round, polled 38 “Yes” votes with one “No” vote, representing 97 percent approval. The Municipal Chief Executive abstained from voting.
His election brings an end to the vacancy at the helm of the Assembly’s deliberative arm and is expected to restore full legislative business in the municipality.
In his victory speech, Mr. Akunzibe thanked Assembly Members and pledged to work inclusively with all members and the entire Assembly leadership.
The new Presiding Member is expected to work closely with the Municipal Chief Executive and Assembly Members to advance development projects and improve service delivery across the Bolgatanga Municipality.
After his swearing-in, Municipal Chief Executive Roland Ayoo, who abstained from voting, called on Assembly Members to unite to position the municipality for development. “Let’s work together for the betterment of Bolga,” he said.
A1 Radio | 101.1 MHz | David Azure | Bolgatanga
