<<Print>>

Capt. (Rtd) Anthony Cudjoe, Metropolitan Chief Executive (MCE) of Sekondi-Takoradi in the Western Region, has been relieved of his post.

He is among three metropolitan, municipal and district chief executives (MMDCEs) in the region who have been asked by President John Dramani Mahama to step aside.

The rest are Sylvester Dadieh Nuamah of Jomoro and Mrs Christiana Cobbinah of Tarkwa-Nsuaem districts.

According to a statement from the presidency, President Mahama took the decision “based on Article 243 and 246 of the 1992 Constitution.”

The three have subsequently been directed to hand over to the regional minister, Paul Evans Aidoo, on June 30, 2015.

 

Capt Cudjoe

When the news broke that the president had asked the Sekondi-Takoradi mayor to step aside, many were those who interpreted it to mean dismissal.

Some people even went further to allege that Capt Cudjoe’s removal followed allegation of misappropriation of funds meant for his travel to and from Columbia on official duties.

It would be recalled that the (MCE) was accused by some elements of swindling his own assembly to the tune of about GH¢30,000.

The MCE was alleged to have taken money from the coffers of the assembly with intent to travel to Columbia, but could not make the trip and rather went to ‘hide himself’ in Tema.

Capt Cudjoe was said to have denied taking GH¢30,000 as quoted by the media but was reported to have stated that the actual amount he received was $1,400.

Meanwhile, a committee that was set up to investigate the matter exonerated the MCE of any wrongdoing.

Regional Minister

Commenting on the president’s directive, the Western Regional Minister, Paul Evans Aidoo, debunked the assertion that the MCE and the other DCEs had been sacked.

Explaining the issue at the signing of the performance agreement by the MMDCEs in Sekondi, the minister said the terms of the affected DCEs had come to an end.

He indicated that they could be reappointed after members of the assembly had been elected in the district level elections come September 1, for confirmation or otherwise.

Jomoro DCE

In the case of the Jomoro DCE, Sylvester Dadieh Nuamah, it is perceived that he had been removed by the president following pressure from some executives of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) who had called on the president to remove him from office.

The DCE was alleged not to have been in cordial relationship with the party executives who recently demonstrated at the district assembly premises, calling for his exit.
Daily Guide gathered that there was therefore some jubilation by some party members when the directive from the president got to them.

Tarkwa MCE

Madam Christiana Cobbinah, the Tarkwa-Nsuaem Municipal Chief Executive and wife of the former regional secretary of the NDC, JRD Cobbinah, has also been asked to step aside.

The perception in the area was that the move would give the MCE ample time to prepare well to contest the NDC’s parliamentary primaries and probably take the seat for the party in 2016.

Daily Guide gathered that Mrs Cobbinah, who lost the seat to Gifty Eugenia-Kusi of the NPP in the last general elections, would be in the contest with a popular radio and television personality in the country who used to ply his trade in Tarkwa.