Alfred Vanderpuye
Several assembly members of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) have declared support for the Mayor of Accra, Alfred Okoe Vanderpuije, hours before he was re-appointed by President John Dramani Mahama.
The assembly members are convinced that the re-appointment of Mr. Vanderpuije would facilitate the continuity of several development projects that the AMA boss has initiated.
?We feel the Mayor should be maintained simply because since the Mayor came development in Accra has been unprecedented,? Baffour Ofori-Boamah, the Assemblyman for Asylum Down Electoral area, who led a number of his colleagues, told DAILY GUIDE on Wednesday.
His colleague, Thomas Akwasi-Sefa from the Ayidiki electoral area, disclosed that assembly members supporting Mr. Vanderpuije?s re-appointment bid were far in excess of 70.
Mr. Venderpuije?s supporters from the electoral areas in the Accra metropolis argued that their support was born out of the need to encourage continuity of projects in the capital, as they cited several projects.
Among these are the construction of over 70 school projects, the abolishment of the basic school shift system, the erection of street lights and the de-silting of several drains within the Accra metropolis.
Incidentally, President Mahama has selected Mr Vanderpuije among the list of newly nominated Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs).
A statement from the office of the Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Akwasi Oppong-Fosu, indicated a list of 12 nominated MMDCEs.
Of the 12, 10 have been re-nominated, including Alfred Vanderpuije. According to the statement, President Mahama made the nominations in accordance with Section 243(1) of the 1992 Constitution and Section 20(1) of the Local Government Act 1993, Act 462.
The nominations are in the Greater Accra and Eastern Regions.
The re-nominated DCEs are George Opare Addo- Akuapem North; Emmanuel Atta Twum- Atiwa; Nana Baffuor Takyi- Birim South; Andrews Sodah- Yilo Krobo; Samuel Asamoah- Kwahu East; Samuel Fleistcher Kwabi- Suhum; Joseph Tetteh Angmor- Upper Manya Krobo; Emmanuel Odor Lartey- Dangbe West; John Kwao Sackey- Ga East and Alfred Vanderpuije- AMA with Paul Dadzie Aboagye for Birim North and Rita Odoley Sowah nominated for La Dadekotopon.
The Split
However, the AMA seems to be split over the decision of whether or not to retain the city Mayor.
?We see the assembly as presently constituted to be polarised between a few supporting Mr Vanderpuije and another supporting the Presiding Member, Desmond Nii Addo-Biney, a situation which does not augur well for the smooth running of the assembly which might bring the entire assembly into disrepute,? they noted in a statement copied to the presidency and signed by the assembly members for Airport Roman Ridge and Ngleshie, Francis Eric Fiifi Donkoh and Seth Raymond Ntoana Tettey which they did on their own behalf and behalf of what they said to be 50 of their colleagues.
Charges
They, among others, alleged that under the very eyes of Mr. Vanderpuije contracts are awarded without passing through the tendering process and approval of the general assembly while ?expenditure at the assembly is effected without passing through due process.?
These, they said ?have plunged the coffers of the assembly into the abyss? for which reason ?the Accra Metropolitan Assembly is indebted to many contractors and is unable to meet its responsibilities.?
But Mr Vanderpuije told DAILY GUIDE the power to appoint a Mayor did not lie within his purview but the bosom of the President and that until the President said otherwise, he would continue to perform his role.
He believed those calling for his removal were only doing so out of mischief since, according to him, none of the allegations levelled against him was true.
By Charles Takyi-Boadu & Raphael Ofori-Adeniran
