Any person who is appointed and approved as the Chief Executive of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) will have no option regarding the occupation of No. 7 Ellis Avenue, the official residence in Kumasi.
The Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) during the 2nd Ordinary Meeting of the 3rd Session of the 9th Assembly, held at the Prempeh Assembly Hall in Kumasi last week passed a new by-law compelling any such person appointed and approved as Metropolitan Chief Executive to occupy the official Mayor’s residence.
The decision follows the realisation by members of the House that over the years, successive Chief Executives have consistently abandoned or neglected the state-owned facility to deteriorate.
Members of the Assembly unanimously approved the motion moved by the Presiding Member of the Assembly, Patrick Kwame Frimpong, to address the situation.
Per the new bye-law, a Mayor who declines to reside in the official residence could face a vote of no confidence culminating into his removal from office when the bye-law is implemented.
The Presiding Member, Patrick Kwame Frimpong, was of the view that the decision would help to protect and preserve state property.
He explained that the residence, which is a state asset, had been left to deteriorate due to years of neglect and non-occupancy and that making it mandatory for Mayors to reside in the facility would ensure its proper maintenance.
Mr. Frimpong commended the current Mayor for residing in the official residence and that his decision had helped to preserve the facility.
The Presiding Member noted that apart from preserving the structure, the move would also promote accountability and ensure that public resources are put to good use for the benefit of the Assembly and the people of Kumasi.
The Mayor, Richard Ofori-Agyemang Boadi, also welcomed the decision, describing it as timely and necessary to safeguard state property.
