TAMALE GETS NEW MCE (PAGE 29)

THE Tamale Metropolitan Assembly (TAMA) now has a new chief executive in the person of Alhaji Abdulai Harruna Friday.
Alhaji Friday comes to the assembly with much experience, having been a former District Chief Executive for Savelugu/Nanton in the late 1990s.
It is because of his track record and admirable interpersonal relationships that majority of residents of the metropolis have welcomed his confirmation as MCE.
The process for his confirmation last Tuesday attracted a large crowd of enthusiastic supporters, including some prominent chiefs in the metropolis. And at the close of voting, 69 out of the 72 members present, representing 96 per cent, voted in favour of Alhaji Friday, while the rest of the ballots were spoilt.
According to the people, Alhaji Friday was not only mature and experienced as a former DCE but also had the temperament to address people’s concerns.
“Tamale has become cosmopolitan and we need such mature and experienced people to manage the affairs of the metropolis. For that matter, I think President Mills made the right choice,” Iddi Mumuni, a student, opined.
Tamale is undoubtedly one of the emerging cities in the country with much potential for accelerated growth. Indeed, it is among the fastest growing cities in the West African sub-region.
It has, unfortunately, also attracted bad press following the political and chieftaincy disturbances in the area for some time now.
It is for this reason that anybody who is offered the privilege of managing the affairs of the area should not only be tolerant and patient but must also be a unifier and team player.
The existing differences in the Dagbon chieftaincy crisis is the stumbling block to the attainment of lasting peace in the area.
It, therefore, behoves Alhaji Friday to work assiduously to ensure peace in the area for accelerated development.
It was refreshing to hear him assure members of the assembly, “I will use consultation and fairness as the hallmarks of my administration and will consult honourable members on all issues that demand consultation and collective decision- making and taking.”
Another area of interest is how to control the growing levels of impunity and indiscipline that have been allowed to fester in the metropolis over the years.
The MCE promised to operate an open administration and would liaise with all stakeholders to help in restoring the battered image of the metropolis.