Ninja Sanja Rejected As DCE for Atebubu/Amantin

Michael Boateng

The threat by Nana Owusu Acheaw Brempong, the paramount chief of Atebubu traditional area, to cause mayhem and bloodshed if Ninja Sanja is elected as the District Chief Executive for Atebubu/Amantin in Brong Ahafo region, appears to have worked to perfection. The nominee yesterday failed to secure the mandatory two thirds majority when the assembly met to cast a ballot on him.

Ninja, however, has a second chance as another ballot would be conducted in ten days time in accordance with the local government Act. Mr. Ninja Sanja has come under stiff opposition by the Chiefs and people of Atebubu Traditional Area, led by Nana Owusu Acheaw Brempong, after his nomination.

Nana Owusu Acheaw Brempong, after threatening to embark on a hunger strike, also threatened bloodshed if the assembly went ahead to endorse the nominee.

The Brong-Ahafo Regional Minister, Kwadwo Nyamekye Marfo was of a contrary view to that of Nana Owusu Acheaw Brempong, and did not understand why the chief should issue such a threat.

The Regional Minister insisted that the endorsement of Ninja Sanja would go on, despite the chief’s threat, noting that it would be dangerous to introduce ethnicity into the country’s politics. He beefed up security during the voting to ensure that nothing untoward happens, which he perfectly did, as the security at the Amantin R/C JHS where the exercise took place was very tight.

The Chronicle gathered that the venue was invaded by people from the Zongo communities within the district to support their brother Ninja Sanja, who the indigenes of Atebubu claim is a foreigner. Ninja Sanja polled 19 out of the 32 votes cast. Two of the Assembly members were absent.

The election, which was supervised under tight security just to ensure safety, nearly witnessed some disorder, when some infuriated Government Appointees at the Assembly started raining insults on some elected members of the assembly to express their dismay.

The elected assembly members acted honorably to prevent any unforeseen incidence, whilst the security also did marvelously well to control some of the irate crowd.

When contacted on phone, Nana Owusu Acheaw Brempong said he felt vindicated, as it has now been established that he was speaking for the entire people of the district, when he kicked against the nomination.

According to him, the Assembly’s action showed clearly that the people do not accept the nomination of Ninja Sanja as the DCE.

Nana Owusu Acheaw Brempong insisted that he still stoodd by his petition to the President and would do everything under his authority to prevent Ninja Sanja from being the DCE for the area.

Elsewhere in the Asutifi District, Mr. Eric Addae was confirmed after securing 59 votes out of the 61 votes cast, with only one voting against him, whilst one of the ballot cast was rejected.