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The Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) was unable to elect a Presiding Member today [Tuesday] following the two aspirants’ inability to garner the required votes needed to take up the position.

Citi News’ Ashanti Regional correspondent, Lauretta Timah reported that none of the aspirants could garner two -thirds (98) votes of the house to be elected.

Mr. Boadi Abraham polled 69 votes while Mr. Adusei Bonsu Michael garnered 50 votes. Kumasi residents have expressed worry about the assembly’s failure to elect a Presiding Member on several occasions.

They described their current leaders as selfish, adding that the situation is hindering development in the area.

“We don’t have a presiding member , all they do is fight so how then do they choose a presiding member if they keep fighting? ,” a resident lamented.

“Who will bring developmental projects here? They should make sure they elect a Presiding Member today because what is happening here is bad,” another resident said.

A few weeks ago, the KMA attempted to vote for a Presiding Member but the exercise was marred by violence as some assembly members traded blows. An Assembly member of KMA, Abdullah Muaza, traded blows with a National Democratic Congress (NDC) serial caller during proceedings.

Another election was expected to be held last Friday but was postponed because there was no Judge in Kumasi to swear the Presiding Member into office after the elections.

Presiding Member hurdle hurting KMA’s image – Samuel Sarpong Former Chief Executive Officer of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA), Samuel Sarpong, had appealed to assembly members to bury their political and parochial interests and elect a Presiding Member today.

According to him, the constant failure to elect a Presiding Member is impeding development in the metropolis. Speaking on Kumasi-based Radio Ghana, the former Ashanti Regional Minister, said the violence that has characterized the election of a Presiding Member in recent times is giving the assembly a bad image across the country.

“What is happening in KMA is very sad…I think Kumasi is getting a bad name so far as some of these issues are concerned,” he said.