The Chiefs of the La Bawuleshi Traditional Council (TC) have cleared misconceptions of ethnocentrism following an appeal that the presiding member of the Ayawaso West-Wuogon Municipal Assembly must be a native of the Greater Accra region.

This, they said, was not borne out of ethnocentrism or tribalism, but a gentle appeal, as some have described it as a demand.

They noted the request was rather made out of the need for a regional balance and competence which will further aid interactions between the Assembly and the traditional authorities.

The chiefs cleared these misconceptions at a press conference at the forecourt of La Bawuleshi TC Tuesday.

Joseph Ashie Dzanie spokesperson for the TC said “the request was not in any way borne out of ethnocentrism. We appreciate that Greater Accra is cosmopolitan and by extension Ayawaso West. As you are aware the traditional authorities have never objected or opposed any candidate either as a Member of Parliament or Municipal Chief Executive.”

“We must say that Niimei have had a very cordial working relationship with all MPs of Ayawaso West from the Hon. Frema Osei-Opare who by dint of her hard work now occupies the enviable position as the first female Chief of Staff to Hon. Lydia S. Alhassan even though none of them is Ga. We have equally enjoyed working with and will continue to enjoy working with Honourable Sandra Owusu-Ahinkorah for her respect and commitment to working with us yet she is not a Ga”,” he added.

He also used the opportunity to thank President Akufo-Addo for upgrading the municipal status to a sub-metro.

“This we are well aware puts us in direct control of our resources to accelerate our development,” he said.

“We are also thanking the MCE for her constant interaction, application of our advice and involvement of Ni Mei and Naa Mei in every programme and project of the assembly. To the honorable assembly members we want to express our profound gratitude to them for endorsing our son Ben Nortey Okla as presiding member for Ayawaso West municipal assembly,” he added.

Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/103.5FM