9 Vie for Ahafo-Ano-South DCE position after dismissal of ‘tweaa’ DCE
Nine party members of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) are expected to go through vetting as part of the process of appointing of a district chief executive (DCE) for Ahafo-Ano-South.
They are Bright Osei, Julius Baani, James Adjei, Francis Oppong, Nelson Ibrahim Ayamba, Gariba Zibrilla, Nana Antwi, Thomas Kwakwa and Nuhu Alhassan Dicko. This follows the dismissal of the DCE, Mr Gabriel Barimah, for rudely storming out of a public event after he was heckled with the taunting expression ‘tweaa’, which became popular, especially in the social media.
The aspirants were scheduled to go through vetting last Saturday, March 22, 2014 but it was postponed till further notice. The acting secretary of the NDC in the Ashanti Region, Mr Raymond Tandoh, who confirmed the number, said the party would find the appropriate time to conduct the vetting.
However, checks made by the Daily Graphic showed that the vetting exercise would be conducted by the end of March.
Mr Thomas Kwakwa was appointed DCE of the area from 2009 to 2011. However, the assembly passed a vote of no-confidence in him, culminating in his unfortunate dismissal. Gabriel Barimah was appointed by the then President, Prof John Evans Atta Mills, as DCE from 2011 till his dismissal recently.
Sources close to the Daily Graphic have it that the Ahafo Ano South District needs a neutral person to become the next DCE because the indigenous people who had ascended the throne for the DCE position had failed the people.
It would be recalled that a statement signed by the Executive Secretary to the President, Dr Raymond Atuguba, and issued on Wednesday March 5, 2014 read: "The President, acting on the Local Government Act, Section 204, has dismissed the DCE for Ahafo-Ano-South, Gabriel Barimah, with immediate effect".
The statement further read: "The Ashanti Regional Minister has been directed to act until a substantive DCE is appointed".
Mr Barimah was forgiven for rudely storming out of the public event in question but in an interview with Joy Fm recently, he revealed that ‘tweea’ had made him popular. This did not go down well with the government, hence his dismissal.
The Speaker of Parliament, Mr Edward Doe Adjaho, a few weeks ago declared ‘tweaa’ unparliamentary but the President, John Dramani Mahama, broke protocol and made fun to thrill all by using ‘tweaa’ on the floor of Parliament when he delivered this year's State of the Nation Address.
