In a major development at the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) today, Thursday , February 26, 2026, Assembly member Ernest Baffour Ofori formally withdrew his candidacy for the position of Presiding Member, paving the way for the re-election of the incumbent, Hon. Patrick Kwame Frimpong.
The withdrawal follows extensive consultations among Assembly members and political stakeholders, aimed at fostering unity and ensuring a smooth leadership transition within the Assembly. With Mr. Ofori stepping aside, Hon. Frimpong is now positioned to secure the required votes to continue as Presiding Member.
Under Section 27 of the Local Governance Act (Act 936), a Presiding Member must be elected by at least two-thirds of Assembly members present and voting. With 66 members in the Assembly, a candidate requires a minimum of 44 votes to be officially elected. Mr. Frimpong’s path to re-election is now significantly strengthened following Mr. Ofori’s decision.
Political analysts and Assembly observers have described Mr. Ofori’s withdrawal as a demonstration of political maturity and commitment to cohesion within the Assembly. The move is expected to eliminate potential deadlocks and allow the Assembly to focus on governance and developmental priorities without disruption.
The Assembly is expected to convene in the coming days to complete the election process, with Hon. Frimpong now widely regarded as the frontrunner for the Presiding Member role. The decision underscores the importance of collaboration, consensus-building, and political goodwill in ensuring effective local governance in the Kumasi metropolis.
