The newly elected Presiding Member of the Tamale Metropolitan Assembly (TaMA), Hon Fuseini Okasha, has vowed to operate an open door policy to accommodate views of all stakeholders for the growth and development of the metropolis.

He has also promised to consult broadly including traditional, religious and opinion leaders to solicit their inputs on critical issues that would propel growth in the capital of the northern region.

“I promise to help uplift the image and development of the Tamale Metropolitan Assembly. I promise to also run an open door policy for all colleague honorable members as well as staff and general public in the interest of Tamale.

“I will consult you in the day and at night, in the rain and in the sun; at your palaces, homes, offices, market places or wherever I can find you for the development of the Tamale metropolis” he stated.

The assemblyman for the Dakpema electoral area made these remarks in his victory speech after he was elected the new Presiding Member for the Tamale Metro Assembly on Monday, February 13, 2024.

Three candidates contested the position but none of them could secure 2/3 of the votes cast after the Tamale Metro Director of the Electoral Commission conducted the polls.

After the first round of polls, Mr. Fuseini Okasha polled 32 votes followed by Iddrisu Ibrahim who had 15 and Adam Ibrahim Nabila, 13 votes.

This called for a run-off between the two candidates with the highest votes. But, the assemble members build consensus and Iddrish Ibrahim announced his decision to step down to allow Fuseini Okasha to go sole.

And after a Yes and No voting, the third term assemblyman polled 53 votes with 6 people voting 6 and 1 rejected ballot. This meant that he had secured the 2/3 votes to declared the presiding member of the assembly.

In his address, Mr. Okasha further commended his contenders and the entire assembly for the confidence reposed in him and reiterated his commitment to work closely with everybody in the assembly.

Meanwhile, the Northern Regional representative to the Council of State, Zunglana Col (rtd) Mahmud Tahiru on behalf of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo inaugurated the 9th session of the assembly after the Tamale High Court, His Lordship, Justice Richard Kogyapwah, guided the assemble members to take the oath of office and oath of secrecy as stipulated by law.

The Metropolitan Chief Executive of Tamale, Sule Salifu, in his remarks congratulated the newly elected assemble members and those who retained their seats. He urged them to work assiduously to transform the metropolis.