Confirm Or Reject Vanderpuije Based On Performance

The Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Mr Akwasi Opong-Fosu, has described the uproar by some assembly members following the re-nomination of Dr Alfred Vanderpuije as Chief Executive as needless since his confirmation now lay with them. Mr Opong-Fosu, however, urged members of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) to confirm or reject Dr Vanderpuije based on his performance over the past four years and not on sentiments and trying to settle personal scores. Dr Vanderpuije was among the recent names of chief executives nominees to serve under President John Mahama�s administration but that announcement was greeted with furore by a section of the AMA legislators. The group expressed displeasure with the President�s re-nomination, citing various reasons, including the non-implementation of the decisions taken at the general assembly meetings. Dr Vanderpuije has served as the AMA boss for four years, and will be serving a second term in office, if confirmed. The group�s disagreement with the re-nomination was contained in a statement signed by the assembly members for Airport Roman Ridge and Ngleshie, Mr Francis Eric Fiifi Donkoh and Mr Seth Raymond Ntoana Tettey respectively in Accra last Thursday. Earlier, some members of the Ga Traditional Council had also kicked against the re-nomination of Dr Vanderpuije but that was resolved. Mr Opong-Fosu, in an interview with the Daily Graphic last Monday, stated that there was no need for the assembly members to cry foul over the President�s decision because �we live in a democratic dispensation�. He explained that the ministry made recommendations to the President and based on that and his own assessment of Dr Vanderpuije�s work, decided to give him another chance to serve the people of Accra. And as the dictates of a democratic dispensation required, members of the assembly would also have their chance to either accept or reject Dr Vanderpuije, Mr Opong-Fosu stated. Meanwhile, Dr Vanderpuije has promised to sanitise the city in a bid to ensure law and order. Speaking shortly after the announcement of his re-nomination, he indicated that �God is still in charge� and recognises the efforts of men. According to Dr Vanderpuije, his re-nomination was a confirmation of his achievements during his tenure as mayor of the capital city and the evidence of his hard work.