First-ever female MCE for Ga East Municipal Assembly

The Ga East Municipal Assembly (GEMA) has confirmed President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s appointee, Madam Janet Tulasi Mensah, as its new Municipal Chief Executive (MCE).

Forty-nine-year-old Madam Mensah secured 100 per cent vote in the second round of voting after securing eight "Yes" endorsements as against six "No" in the first round of election. It was organised by the officials from the Ga East Municipal Electoral Commission (EC) Office and supervised by a Deputy Greater Accra Regional Director and the Ga East Municipal Director, Mrs Gladys Pinkrah and Mrs Janet Koranteng respectively.

First round

The Special General Assembly meeting organised to confirm the President's appointee for the MCE position for the assembly dragged close to four hours following her inability to secure a two-thirds majority vote of the Assembly with a membership of 14.

A statement issued by the Public Relations Department of the assembly and signed by the Public Relations Officer, Mr Okunyin Boaz Orlan-Hackman, explained that the situation necessitated a caucus meeting at a separate location outside the main conference hall of the Abokobi Presbyterian Women's Centre where the Special Assembly meeting was held.

Confirmation

The statement said after nearly two hours of intense discussions and negotiations, the assembly members reconvened and voted  "Yes" to give Madam Mensah an emphatic nod to become the first-ever female MCE for GEMA since its creation in 2004.

The statement said in her brief acceptance speech, Madam Mensah, obviously heaving a huge sigh of relief, thanked God for bringing her that far and expressed her heartfelt thanks to President Akufo-Addo for believing in her competence and appointing and giving her the opportunity to serve in the capacity as MCE.

Gratitude

Madam Mensah also thanked the assembly members for confirming her to lead the assembly, as well as her party, the New Patriotic Party (NPP), in the Dome-Kwabenya Constituency for reposing confidence in her and supporting her to this stage.

She assured  them of her readiness to take up the mantle to advance the development agenda of the Nana Addo-led government and help propel the development of the municipality to a greater height.

"I am determined to advance the vision of President Akufo-Addo and the work that needs to be done in the [municipality] and especially as a woman, I've to go the extra mile to make the constituency an enviable one," the statement said. 

Endorse for speedy development

Earlier, the Greater Accra Regional Minister, Mr Ishmael Ashitey, advised the assembly members to unite and endorse the appointeeee and support her to deliver speedy development for the municipality.