FOREIGNER; ADA WEST DCE ELECT
The President’s nominee, Hon. Jerry John Foreigner Mills-Nkrumah, has been approved by the Hon. Assembly Members of the Ada West District, as the District Chief Executive (DCE) for the fourth assembly. Through secret balloting, he obtained more than the mandatory two-thirds majority votes, electing him as the Chief Executive of the District
Preceding the elections, the Greater Accra Regional Minister, Hon. Linda O. Ocloo, who exercised oversight responsibilities on behalf of the President, entreated the Assembly Members to unite to bring the election to an expected end. She disclosed that other districts noted to be strongholds of the New Patriotic Party, (NPP) even confirmed the President’s nominee with a hundred percent (100%) approval in just a single voting process.
She also advised them to bury differences and unite to work together to develop the district. She added that out of the twenty-nine (29) Districts in the Greater Accra Region twenty-six (26) have so far, confirmed the President’s nominees as DCE’s. She was desirous that the Ada West District would be the twenty-seventh, (27th) in this confirmation process.
The Presiding Member, Hon. Ngunekpeku Lawrence Kartey who presided over the programme also called on his colleagues to unite to bring the process to fruition. He expatiated that according to ACT 936 section 20 of the Assembly Model Standing Order, the nominee must obtain a two thirds majority of total votes cast. Therefore, he admonished all the Assembly Members to rally behind the nominee.
The District Electoral Commissioner, Mr. Stephen Oppong presided over the election. He explained the voting process to the participants. He asked them to thumbprint on the ballot paper, either a “YES” or “NO” in approval or rejection of the nominee.
There were fifteen (15) elected Assembly Members and seven (7) Government Appointees making a total of twenty-two (22) participants. Though the Hon. Member of Parliament is part of the Assembly, he does not have a voting right. Therefore, the nominee must obtain a minimum of fifteen (15) votes to be confirmed.
Out of the twenty-two votes casted, the candidate obtained sixteen (16) “YES” votes, constituting 72.7% of total valid votes. Six of the Assembly Members voted “NO” also constituting 27. 3% of valid votes. There were no rejected votes. The electoral Commissioner declared Hon. Jerry John Foreigner Mills-Nkrumah as the fifth Ada West District Chief Executive, duly elect.
The Regional Minister, Hon. Ocloo immediately swore him into office to commence his duties. The minister, also thanked the members for not disappointing the President of the Republic, His Excellency John Dramani Mahama.
Contained in his maiden address, the DCE elect, expressed his appreciation to the President for the confidence reposed in him to occupy this position and high office. He also thanked God, the Hon. Assembly Members and the Council of Elders of his party for preparing him for this office.
He also looked forward to a fruitful working relationship with the Hon. Member of Parliament, the Assembly members, staff of the Assembly and the general public.
He indicated that his vision is in line with that of the President in whose authority he occupies the position and office. Therefore, the agenda is to “reset” the district and the country for the betterment of all the citizenry.
He noted some of the challenges facing the district and promised to work assiduously to find lasting solutions to them. Pertinent among these challenges were, districtwide potable water shortage, deplorable road networks, inadequate accommodation for staff and students of the Ada Senior High School, non-availability of teachers’ accommodation in general, high teacher deficits among others. He also noted the poor revenue generated by the district and logistical challenges of some of the security services in the district. He also called on the minister for jobs for the youth in the local governance settings.
Hon. Mills-Nkrumah added that he has taken “cognizance of the Agenda 111 project started under the NPP government but stalled at the moment”. He also hinted of the natural resource conflict (Songor Lagoon) which has transcended generations and must be resolved amicably at the appropriate time. He also assured the minister to work hand in hand with the security services to combat crime in the district.
The DCE, used the platform to render, publicly, an unqualified apology to Hon. Anthony Yaw Klokpa, the first DCE of the district, for the role, he (Foreigner) played in his removal from office in 2015. Recounting the event, he remorsefully stated that “the burden of this incidence still weighs heavily on some of us especially me”. “I am sorry, we are sorry”, he pleaded to be forgiven.
The programme was graced with the presence of high profiled dignitaries including the Regional Minister Hon. Linda O. Ocloo and her entourage, the Member of Parliament, Hon. Daniel Keshi Bessey, the District Chief Executive of the Ada East Hon. Kenneth Kofi Kabu Kanor, and past District Chief Executives. The traditional rulers and the clergy were also present to witness the programme. Officers from all the security services in the district were present as well to maintain law and order. The immediate family of the nominee, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) party executives and members came in their numbers to support him.
The programme was held at the Assembly Hall on Wednesday 14th May, 2025.
ISD – AWDA