The Akuapim South Municipal Assembly has failed to elect a Presiding Member after two consecutive election exercises held on 6th and 20th May 2026 at the Assembly Hall, a development that has delayed the full constitution of the Assembly for the conduct of its business.
The first election, held on 6th May 2026, was attended by key stakeholders including the Municipal Chief Executive, the Municipal Coordinating Director, traditional authorities, security personnel, Assembly Members, Government appointees, staff of the Assembly, and members of the public. A total of 38 out of the 40 Assembly Members were present.
Addressing members before the voting process, the District Electoral Officer, Mrs. Afua Asomaning Korankyewaa, outlined the electoral procedures and reminded members that a candidate must secure at least two-thirds of the votes of the total membership of the Assembly, and not merely those present, to be declared elected.
Three candidates, Hon. Ebenezer Kwaisa Okai, Hon. Michael Ossae, and Hon. Blessing Kojo Tswieretsu, delivered brief remarks prior to voting. In the first round, Hon. Blessing Kojo Tswieretsu obtained 14 votes, while Hon. Ebenezer Kwaisa Okai and Hon. Michael Ossae each secured 12 votes. Following the tie, Hon. Ebenezer Kwaisa Okai withdrew from the contest, allowing Hon. Michael Ossae and Hon. Blessing Kojo Tswieretsu to proceed to a second round.
The run-off, however, failed to produce a winner, with Hon. Michael Ossae securing 20 votes and Hon. Blessing Kojo Tswieretsu obtaining 18 votes, both falling short of the constitutionally required two-thirds majority. Consequently, Mrs. Afua Asomaning Korankyewaa adjourned the election and rescheduled it within ten working days.
In his closing remarks, the Municipal Coordinating Director, Mr. Emmanuel Appiah Kubi, commended Assembly Members and stakeholders for conducting the exercise peacefully and urged members to work towards electing a Presiding Member at the next sitting.
The second election was subsequently held on 20th May 2026 and attracted the participation of the Member of Parliament, the Municipal Chief Executive, the Municipal Coordinating Director, officials of the Electoral Commission, traditional authorities, security personnel, Assembly Members, Government appointees, Assembly staff, and members of the public. Thirty-nine out of the forty Assembly Members were present.
In his opening remarks, Mr. Emmanuel Appiah Kubi appealed to members to elect a Presiding Member to ensure the smooth functioning of the Assembly, while Mrs. Afua Asomaning Korankyewa encouraged members to vote decisively.
Despite these appeals, the Assembly was once again unable to elect a Presiding Member. In the run-off between the two remaining candidates, Hon. Blessing Kojo Tswieretsu secured 24 votes, while Hon. Michael Ossae obtained 11 votes, with two ballots rejected. Although Hon. Blessing Kojo Tswieretsu received the majority of valid votes cast, the result did not satisfy the constitutional requirement of obtaining at least two-thirds of the votes of all Assembly Members.
In accordance with Part II, Paragraph 5 of the Model Standing Orders for District, Municipal and Metropolitan Assemblies, where neither of the two candidates secures the required two-thirds majority after two consecutive run-offs held within ten days, both candidates must step aside to allow for fresh nominations.
Following the announcement of the results, the Municipal Coordinating Director adjourned the election for a further ten days to allow for consultations and review of the process. The Municipal Chief Executive, Hon. Paul Osae Offei, urged Assembly Members to build consensus and elect a qualified Presiding Member at the next sitting to enable the Assembly to effectively discharge its mandate and remain eligible for development funding opportunities.
The Assembly's inability to elect a Presiding Member after two attempts underscores the need for greater collaboration and consensus-building among members. Stakeholders remain optimistic that the next election will result in the successful election of a Presiding Member, paving the way for effective governance and accelerated development within the Akuapim South Municipality.
AKUAPIM SOUTH MUNICIPAL ASSEMBLY
Akuapim South Municipal Assembly Defers Election of Presiding Member Following Two Voting Rounds
The first election, held on 6th May 2026, was attended by key stakeholders including the Municipal Chief Executive, the Municipal Coordinating Director, traditional authorities, security personnel, Assembly Members, Government appointees, staff of the Assembly, and members of the public. A total of 38 out of the 40 Assembly Members were present.
Addressing members before the voting process, the District Electoral Officer, Mrs. Afua Asomaning Korankyewaa, outlined the electoral procedures and reminded members that a candidate must secure at least two-thirds of the votes of the total membership of the Assembly, and not merely those present, to be declared elected.
Three candidates, Hon. Ebenezer Kwaisa Okai, Hon. Michael Ossae, and Hon. Blessing Kojo Tswieretsu, delivered brief remarks prior to voting. In the first round, Hon. Blessing Kojo Tswieretsu obtained 14 votes, while Hon. Ebenezer Kwaisa Okai and Hon. Michael Ossae each secured 12 votes. Following the tie, Hon. Ebenezer Kwaisa Okai withdrew from the contest, allowing Hon. Michael Ossae and Hon. Blessing Kojo Tswieretsu to proceed to a second round.
The run-off, however, failed to produce a winner, with Hon. Michael Ossae securing 20 votes and Hon. Blessing Kojo Tswieretsu obtaining 18 votes, both falling short of the constitutionally required two-thirds majority. Consequently, Mrs. Afua Asomaning Korankyewaa adjourned the election and rescheduled it within ten working days.
In his closing remarks, the Municipal Coordinating Director, Mr. Emmanuel Appiah Kubi, commended Assembly Members and stakeholders for conducting the exercise peacefully and urged members to work towards electing a Presiding Member at the next sitting.
The second election was subsequently held on 20th May 2026 and attracted the participation of the Member of Parliament, the Municipal Chief Executive, the Municipal Coordinating Director, officials of the Electoral Commission, traditional authorities, security personnel, Assembly Members, Government appointees, Assembly staff, and members of the public. Thirty-nine out of the forty Assembly Members were present.
In his opening remarks, Mr. Emmanuel Appiah Kubi appealed to members to elect a Presiding Member to ensure the smooth functioning of the Assembly, while Mrs. Afua Asomaning Korankyewa encouraged members to vote decisively.
Despite these appeals, the Assembly was once again unable to elect a Presiding Member. In the run-off between the two remaining candidates, Hon. Blessing Kojo Tswieretsu secured 24 votes, while Hon. Michael Ossae obtained 11 votes, with two ballots rejected. Although Hon. Blessing Kojo Tswieretsu received the majority of valid votes cast, the result did not satisfy the constitutional requirement of obtaining at least two-thirds of the votes of all Assembly Members. In accordance with Part II, Paragraph 5 of the Model Standing Orders for District, Municipal and Metropolitan Assemblies, where neither of the two candidates secures the required two-thirds majority after two consecutive run-offs held within ten days, both candidates must step aside to allow for fresh nominations.
Following the announcement of the results, the Municipal Coordinating Director adjourned the election for a further ten days to allow for consultations and review of the process. The Municipal Chief Executive, Hon. Paul Osae Offei, urged Assembly Members to build consensus and elect a qualified Presiding Member at the next sitting to enable the Assembly to effectively discharge its mandate and remain eligible for development funding opportunities.
The Assembly's inability to elect a Presiding Member after two attempts underscores the need for greater collaboration and consensus-building among members. Stakeholders remain optimistic that the next election will result in the successful election of a Presiding Member, paving the way for effective governance and accelerated development within the Akuapim South Municipality.
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