A concerned community member and constituent of Abuakwa South Municipality in the Eastern Region, Kojo Dei, who is also a resident of Akyem Apapam has petitioned members of the Assembly against the approval of Akosua Asabea Annoh as the Chief Executive of the Assembly.
In a letter sited by ghananewsonline.com.gh, the petitnoner said a careful consideration of the nominee revealed that she is “most unqualified candidate ever” to be nominated because she was only chose due to her relationship with the Okyehene Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin.
“Her nomination gives strong credence to the perception that the royal house of Akyem Abuakwa is the main stumbling block to real democracy in the Abuakwa South municipality,” the petitioner wrote.
Below is the full petition:
Petition to Oppose the Nomination of Ms. Akosua Asabea Annoh as the Municipal Chief Executive of Abuakwa South Municipality
Dear Honorable Assembly Members,
My name is Kojo Dei, a community member and a constituent of Abuakwa South Municipality who resides in Akyem Apapam. I am writing to urge you to oppose the nomination of Ms. Akosua Asabea Annoh to become the next Chief Executive of Abuakwa South Municipality. Upon careful consideration I believe she is the most unqualified candidate ever to be presented for confirmation to lead the municipality since the inception of the 4th republic. There are more deserving and qualified men and women who could have been nominated. Her nomination is undemocratic, promotes nepotism, and will undermine grassroots participation and representation and the development of municipality.
Why will a person who is not a constituent and has never voted in any election in Abuakwa South be forced on the citizens? To add insult to injury, she seldomly visits the municipality and has never shown any serious interest in the politics and development issues of the area. How come out of nowhere she is chosen over the known and recommended candidates with the necessary experience and passion for the municipality and its people? If the development of our municipality is of urgent importance to this assembly, then the right thing to do is to strongly oppose this nomination.
It seems like the only reason for her nomination is because she is the niece of Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin. Her nomination gives strong credence to the perception that the royal house of Akyem Abuakwa is the main stumbling block to real democracy in the Abuakwa South municipality. The practice of undemocratically forcing royal relatives from Akyem Abuakwa, on the municipality to the exclusion of other citizens from other parts of the municipality is very destructive. The outright disregard of the preferred candidates of the local party hierarchy and its foot soldiers’, smacks of nepotism of the highest order. This legislative assembly should use this opportunity to take a strong stand against this this type of political hegemony by massively voting against her nomination.
Finally, I believe the approval of Ms. Annoh will serve to demoralize grassroots participation and organizing at the local level. If someone who has never voted in the municipality or seldomly visits, can be parachuted from Accra to lead the municipality just because of their family connections, then who will be willing to sacrifice for the greater good of the party or for the Abuakwa South Municipality. When constituents and foot soldiers who devote their time, money and resources to build and sustain their parties come to the realization that the game is “rigged” against them and their voices and interests will not be given a fair, equal or just representation, they will lose faith in representative democracy.
In conclusion I am of the strong believe that the nomination of Ms. Akosua Asabea Annoh goes against the spirit, purpose and execution of an accountable, representative, and effective local government administration. For the sake of good governance and the interest of your constituents, I strongly urge the assembly to vote against this nomination when the time comes to vote on her candidacy. I count on your consideration on this urgent matter. Thank you
Yours Sincerely.
Kojo Dei Akyem Apapam
Abuakwa South Municipality
0506031121
Honorable members of the Assembly Abuakwa South Municipal Assembly Kibi,
Eastern Region, Ghana
September 22,2021