The eighth Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly has been inaugurated with a total membership of 66. This includes the Chief Executive and five Members of Parliament.
The Assembly has 40 elected members and 20 government appointed members. Out of the 40 elected members, only one is a female. Among the Government appointed members, five are females.
The new assembly members are to serve a four-year term.
They were sworn in by the Supervising Kumasi High Court Judge, Justice Kofi Akowuah.
The Majority Leader in Parliament and Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Osei Kyei- Mensah- Bonsu, read the address of President Akufo-Addo.
He said one major challenge is the unplanned and haphazard development going on, in most assemblies.
Mr. Mensah-Bonsu said slums being developed in marshy areas and houses built on waterways, have become a phenomenon with serious implications to national development.
He therefore urged the new Assembly members to ensure compliance with the building rules and regulations on the zoning and development of lands, and ensure that lands are developed according to approved plans and designated land use, to avoid flooding and accompanying loss of lives and property.
The Chief Executive, Osei Assibey-Antwi, reminded the new assembly members that their election or appointment comes with some degree of responsibility and accountability to the people.
They are therefore expected to live up to the confidence and responsibilities reposed in them by the electorate they represent.
The Bantamahene, Baffour Owusu Amankwatia, who represented Asantehene, expressed concern about what he described as the systematic isolation of traditional leaders from local governance.
He said for instance chiefs had five representatives appointed to the assemblies, but these reduced to two, for no apparent reason.
Baffour Owusu Amankwatia reminded government, that there is no way local governance can thrive without the active involvement of traditional authorities.
Meanwhile, the Assembly Member for Amakom, Stephen Ofori was elected Presiding Member for the KMA supervised by the Electoral Commission.
