By Daniel Bampoe
The confirmation process for Ayawaso West Municipal Chief Executive nominee, Michael Mensah, took a chaotic turn on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, as the Assembly rejected his appointment, sparking scenes of tension, verbal altercations, and heightened political drama in one of Ghana’s most politically sensitive constituencies.
Mensah, nominated by President John Dramani Mahama, received only nine out of 19 votes cast during the highly anticipated confirmation vote at the Ayawaso West Municipal Assembly.
Falling short of the constitutionally required two-thirds majority, the defeat dealt a blow to the Presidency’s efforts to swiftly install local executives to oversee regional development agenda.
The Assembly Hall, packed with both supporters and opponents of the nominee, erupted into verbal clashes shortly after the results were announced.
Eyewitnesses described a tense atmosphere marked by sharp political divisions, with some assembly members accusing others of partisanship and sabotage.
Though no physical fights were recorded, heated exchanges and jeering highlighted deep rifts within the municipal body.
The failed vote also prompted urgent appeals from Greater Accra Regional Minister, Linda Ocloo, who expressed concern over the implications for ongoing developmental projects.
“We have a lot of things to do,” she said. “If they don’t approve [the nominee], it comes back to the Assembly again, which delays everything we’re trying to avoid.”
The Ayawaso West constituency—often viewed as a political bellwether—has been the site of significant tension in past electoral cycles, including the infamous by-election violence in 2019.
In light of this history, the events of Wednesday’s vote are being closely watched by both political observers and local residents, some of whom are frustrated by the persistent political maneuvering that continues to hinder municipal development.
President Mahama now faces a choice: either renominate Michael Mensah in hopes of swaying Assembly members in a second round of voting or present a new candidate altogether.
Until then, the MCE position in Ayawaso West remains vacant, stalling local governance initiatives and adding another layer of uncertainty to the President’s broader administrative rollout.
