The Sekyere Kumawu District Assembly has been thrown into administrative uncertainty following its failure to elect a Presiding Member and confirm the President’s nominee for District Chief Executive (DCE), Hon. Akwasi Amankwaah.
The crucial election, held earlier today at the Assembly Hall, ended in a stalemate after two rounds of voting by all 36 elected Assembly Members.
In the first round of voting for the position of Presiding Member, Hon. Addai Abankwa secured 17 votes, narrowly edging his opponent Hon. Richard Gyamfi, who polled 16 votes. Despite the tight race, neither candidate was able to reach the constitutionally mandated two-thirds majority of 24 votes.
A second round was promptly conducted in an effort to break the deadlock. This time, Hon. Richard Gyamfi gained ground, securing 22 votes, while support for Hon. Addai Abankwa declined to 13. One ballot was rejected, leaving 35 valid votes—still short of the required threshold.
As a result, the Assembly remains without a Presiding Member, and the confirmation of the President’s DCE nominee, Hon. Akwasi Amankwaah, could not proceed as planned.
The development has sparked concern and frustration among residents of Kumawu and surrounding communities. Many fear that the current leadership vacuum could stall ongoing and upcoming development projects, as well as disrupt the smooth delivery of essential services.
“We are deeply concerned. Without a Presiding Member or a confirmed DCE, how can our Assembly function effectively? We need leadership to push for our developmental needs,” a visibly frustrated resident said in an interview.
Another resident urged elected representatives to prioritize the district’s progress: “The people of Sekyere Kumawu deserve better. We urge our leaders to put aside personal interests and unite for the common good.”
Officials from the Electoral Commission, who supervised the process, have announced a 10-day postponement to allow for further consultations and consensus-building among Assembly Members. A new date will be communicated in due course for the continuation of the electoral process.
As the wait continues, residents hope that dialogue and compromise will pave the way for a decisive resolution that puts the development of Sekyere Kumawu first.
