The Bolgatanga Municipal Assembly in the Upper East Region has elected Lambert Akunzebe, the Assembly Member for Bolga-Soe, as its Presiding Member (PM).
Following the election, many stakeholders have described it as a historic and rare achievement, given the assembly's long-standing difficulties in electing presiding members.
Unlike previous years when the election of a Presiding Member was characterised by deadlocks, repeated voting and prolonged disagreements, members of the assembly last Wednesday reached a consensus with remarkable ease, paving the way for the smooth conduct of assembly business.
The election is expected to boost the operations of the assembly by enabling it to focus fully on its core mandate of local governance, development planning, and service delivery to residents of the municipality.
Mr Akunzebe was sworn into office by the Upper East Regional Supervising High Court Judge, Justice Ernest Pascal Gemadzie.
Endorsement
The election initially featured three candidates, including Lambert Akunzebe, Stephen Akugre and Christopher Akolga.
In the first round, out of 39 votes cast, 38 were valid while one ballot was rejected.
Mr Akunzebe secured 23 votes, Mr Akugre obtained eight votes and Mr Akolga polled seven votes.
Although Mr Akunzebe emerged as the front runner, he fell short of the two-thirds majority required by law to be declared elected.
The election consequently proceeded to a second round involving the two leading candidates.
However, before voting commenced, Mr Akugre conceded defeat and expressed support for Mr Akunzebe, leading to a "Yes" or "No" confirmation vote by members.
The outcome saw Mr Akunzebe receive 38 "Yes" votes against one "No" vote, representing 97 per cent endorsement by members present and voting.
Unity
In his acceptance speech, Mr Akunzebe thanked assembly members for the confidence reposed in him and pledged to serve as a unifying leader.
He described the contest as an internal democratic exercise that produced no losers.
"There is no winner and there is no loser in an in-house contest," he stated.
Focus
The Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Bolgatanga, Roland Atanga Ayoo, said the successful election provided hope and assurance that the assembly was now fully prepared to undertake its responsibilities.
He urged members to put the election behind them and work together in the interest of the municipality.
