The embattled Chief Executive Officer of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly, Kojo Bonsu has resigned after a three-year reign as Mayor.

His letter of resignation to the President was intercepted by Joy News correspondent, Erastus Asare Donkor after the launch of his Memoir on Tuesday, July 12, 2016, at the Banquet Hall of the Miklin Hotel in Kumasi.

This comes after several calls by the Kumasi Traditional Council for his removal.

Part of the letter read: "I want to express my profound gratitude once again to the President for giving me an opportunity to serve our dear country. I also want to express my appreciation to Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Nananom of the Kumasi Traditional Council as well as staff of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly and the people of Kumasi for their support and cooperation during my tenure."

Dozens of supporters of Mr Bonsu who gathered at the Miklin Hotel for the book launch chanted slogans and urged him not to resign.

 

Background

The relationship between the traditional Council and Kojo Bonsu went sour after Mr Bonsu wrote to the local Government Minister questioning the locus of the Chief of Amoaman, Nana Agyenim Boateng on a committee set up to supervise the construction of the Kejetia Market Project.

Considering this as the height of a series of disrespect demonstrated by Mr Bonsu towards the traditional authorities, the chiefs demanded his removal from office. They gave the President a one-week ultimatum to sack him if he didn't resign on his own by next week Monday.

During a meeting at the Menhyia Palace last Monday, July 11, 2016, the chiefs slaughtered a ram as a form of ritual to sever ties with the Mayor if he remains in office.

After several calls, Mr Bonsu rendered an unqualified apology to Otumfuo Osei Tutu II and Nananom but that was not enough to save him.

The Council has insisted that they will not accept Mr Bonsu as the Chief Executive of the Assembly.

A source said efforts by President Mahama to settle the impasse between the Mayor and the Kumasi Traditional Council have proven futile.

Settlement

Joy News' Erastus Asare Donkor reported on Tuesday that the chiefs say the ram they slaughtered spiritually meant they had severed all ties with the Mayor.

"They explained that in the past if anyone disrespected a chief, tradition demanded that the person is killed to appease the Nananom. The killing of the ram, therefore, signified that Kojo Bonsu had been killed and therefore he cannot be resurrected," Erastus reported.

The chiefs have vowed not to rescind their decision after performing the ritual.