Tensions have escalated in the Amansie Central District of the Ashanti Region as 28 elected Assembly Members clash with District Chief Executive (DCE) Michael Donkor over allegations of misappropriating the Assembly’s revenue.
The controversy surfaced when the Assembly Members stormed the District office in Jacobu, the district capital, to demand clarification from the DCE and the District Coordinating Director (DCD) on the alleged misconduct.
Speaking to Adom News, Stephen Sekyere, the Public Relations Officer for the Amansie Central Assembly, explained that the Assembly has operated peacefully since the last election.
However, concerns were raised after reports emerged about irregularities in the operations of the revenue task force.
Mr Sekyere stated that the task force, traditionally formed with representatives from the assembly members, selects a mining desk officer to oversee operations.
However, it was reported that the DCE had issued new stickers, claiming the existing ones were fake, and attempted to reassign the task force’s responsibilities without consulting the assembly members.
According to the Assembly members, the DCD instructed the mining desk officer to sign off on the new stickers and hand them over to a newly formed group, raising suspicions about the DCE’s intentions.
The Assembly member for the Mile 9 Electoral Area, Simon Kojo Antwi, accused the DCE of trying to divert internally generated revenue as his tenure nears its end.
Antwi expressed concerns that such actions could jeopardize the next administration, especially in the absence of the District Common Fund.
“This new task force is illegal, and we urge the public not to pay any taxes to them. If this is not stopped, the Assembly could face severe challenges starting January 8 when the new administration takes over,” he cautioned.
The Assembly members have demanded immediate answers from the DCE and DCD, insisting that transparency and adherence to proper procedures are necessary to protect the Assembly’s operations and finances.
Source: Isaac K. Normanyo
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