AMANKWAH ELECTED PM FOR SUNYANI MUNICIPAL ASSEMBLY (PAGE 16)

An Architect Consultant in Sunyani in the Brong Ahafo Region, Mr Isaac Kwadwo Amankwah, has been elected the new Presiding Member for the Sunyani Municipal Assembly, after securing 92.29 per cent of the votes cast by the 28-member assembly.
Another member of the house, Mr Isaac Yaw Brenya, who wanted to contest the vacant position, stepped down at the last minute.
In his post election address after he had been sworn-in by the Supervising High Court Judge, Mr Justice Lawrence Ladzaglah, Mr Amakwah expressed his gratitude to the members for the trust reposed in him and pledged to work harmoniously with the entire members so as to ensure the effective development of the Sunyani Municipality.
He, however, called for co-operation from the members in order to achieve their goal of developing the area, adding that it was incumbent on the members to leave a legacy for posterity as the future generation would not forgive them if they failed in their duty to develop the municipality.
Later in his sessional address at the assembly’s ordinary general meeting, the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Sunyani, Mr Kwame Twumasi-Awuah, indicated that out of an estimated revenue of GH¢2,185,254.78, an amount of GH¢453,975.25, representing about 20.8 per cent was collected for the first quarter of the year.
He explained that the shortfall of 4.2 per cent in the revenue performance was due to the shortfall in the common fund, saying that, out of the expected GH¢250,000 for the fourth quarter, only GH¢41,660.60 was released.
Secondly, Mr Twumasi-Awuah noted that following the inauguration and take off of the newly created Sunyani West District Assembly in February this year, revenues generated in March from that area did not come to the Sunyani Municipal Assembly.
He said efforts had been made towards the provision of good quality classrooms and other educational facilities, both at the basic and second cycle levels.
The MCE also indicated that the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Environment had assisted the assembly with funds to undertake a street light project in the municipality, not only to beautify the city but also to improve security.
Mr Twumasi – Awuah pointed out that in spite of the assembly’s efforts to check bush fires, over 80 bush fire outbreaks were recorded from November, 2007 to March 2008 and 28 fire offenders were arrested and were being prosecuted under the assembly’s bye-laws.