Twenty-nine aggrieved assembly members of the Ejisu Municipal Assembly have passed a vote of no confidence in their Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Jerryne Asante. They accuse Ms. Asante of financial mismanagement, abuse of power, and poor administrative leadership, demanding her immediate removal from office.
The assembly members specifically allege that Ms. Asante diverted GHS 29,000 collected from property rates and business permits on August 1, 2025. These funds were reportedly used to purchase 32 packets of roofing sheets for personal use, rather than being deposited into the assembly's official coffers. This alleged diversion represents a significant loss of internally generated funds (IGF) for the municipality.
This development underscores persistent challenges in local governance and public financial management across Ghana's municipal assemblies. Such accusations of financial impropriety can erode public trust and hinder local development initiatives. The incident also highlights the critical role of assembly members in holding local government officials accountable for resource allocation and administrative decisions.
George Kuntu Blankson, assemblyman for Kwamo and spokesperson for the aggrieved members, confirmed the unanimous resolution. He stated, “We, the undersigned assembly members of the Ejisu Municipal Assembly, have today, 24th July, 2026, unanimously resolved to pass a vote of no confidence in Honorable Jerryne Asante.” Mr. Blankson further explained that Ms. Asante had previously been summoned before the Public Relations and Complaints Committee (PRCC) in April 2026 to address various charges.
The PRCC had issued recommendations on April 30, 2026, giving Ms. Asante a two-week deadline to resolve several pressing issues. These included overseeing the court-ordered demolition of a structure encroaching on a public road in Akyiawkrom. The assembly members claim Ms. Asante failed to act on any of these directives, exacerbating their concerns about her leadership.
Beyond financial issues, the assembly members also accuse Ms. Asante of lacking understanding of the decentralisation system and local governance laws. They claim her actions have created tension with civil servants and jeopardized the area's development. This alleged disregard for established procedures has led to the transfer of six department heads and three middle-class officers during her one-year tenure.
The assembly members have appealed directly to President Mahama to remove Ms. Asante from office within one week. They also accused the Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr. Frank Amoakohene, of undue interference by attempting to postpone their meeting. This situation could lead to a significant political challenge for the presidency and the ruling party, especially concerning local government appointments and oversight.
The outcome of this vote of no confidence and the subsequent appeal to the President will be closely watched. It will test the mechanisms of accountability within Ghana's local government structure. The incident also raises questions about the effectiveness of oversight bodies like the PRCC and the responsiveness of MCEs to assembly directives. The financial implications, particularly the alleged diversion of GHS 29,000, could prompt further investigations into the management of public funds at the municipal level.