In a dramatic turn of events, Thomas Kwame Okrah, the Coordinating Director and Acting District Chief Executive (DCE) of the Adansi North District Assembly in the Ashanti Region, was forced to flee his office on February 5, 2025. This came after agitated Assembly Members staged a protest against him, citing numerous allegations of misconduct and misuse of resources.
The protesting members accused Okrah of showing disrespect towards them and misusing district resources for personal gain. Specifically, they alleged that the DRIP machines, intended for official Assembly purposes, were being used for private business activities. These serious accusations have sparked outrage among the Assembly Members, leading them to take swift action.
In addition to the misuse of resources, the Assembly Members raised concerns about the tampering of the list of candidates set to participate in the upcoming Council of State elections. According to Presiding Member Dominic Odame Kusi, the list of two members to be selected from the Assembly had been altered without prior consultation with the relevant parties. This breach of procedure triggered the protest, as the Assembly Members felt their trust had been betrayed.
As tensions escalated, Okrah quickly vacated his office in anticipation of the growing protest, leaving the Fomena police to step in and restore order. Despite the intervention, the Assembly Members have vowed to continue their fight for accountability. They have formally petitioned traditional authorities, the regional minister, and other key officials to push for Okrah’s immediate transfer from the district.
In an interview with Citi News, Presiding Member Kusi shared the Assembly Members’ frustration. “Per the law, two members have to be selected from the Assembly Members. As the Presiding Member, I submitted the names to him for official endorsement and onward submission to the Regional Coordinating Council. However, I later discovered that the names had been changed without consultation, leading to the protest,” Kusi explained.
The protestors are now waiting for a response from the Coordinating Council, regional minister, and local chiefs who have been assured that the issue will be addressed promptly. The future of Thomas Kwame Okrah in the Adansi North District Assembly remains uncertain as the pressure for his removal intensifies.
This ongoing situation highlights the importance of transparency, accountability, and respect for established procedures within local governance. The Assembly Members are determined to ensure that their concerns are heard and that justice is served. Stay tuned for more updates on this unfolding story.