President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s nominee for the Chief Executive Officer of Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) has been approved Friday.

Osei Assibey Antwi, a former deputy Ashanti Regional Minister, polled 132 out of the 133 ballots cast by assembly members. This represents 99.2 percent, although he was predicted to poll 100 percent of valid votes cast.

In his acceptance speech, the new KMA Mayor promised to revive the local economy which he believes is facing challenges.

Mr Assibey Antwi also promised to restore the image of the metropolis.

KMA has been without a Mayor after Kojo Bonsu resigned on July, 2016 following pressure by the Kumasi Traditional Council to have him deposed.

Related Article: Kojo Bonsu resigns as Mayor of Kumasi

His relationship with the Council turned sour after he questioned then Local Government Minister why he involved the Chief of Amoaman, Nana Agyenim Boateng, in the construction of the Kejetia Market Project.

The chief was displeased after the information came public resulting in calls for then President John Mahama to withdraw the Mayor.

After his forced resignation, the KMA suffered another setback after assembly members failed to elect a Presiding Member (PM) to run the affairs of the assembly.

The absence of leadership for the local authority had a toll on the metropolis as heaps of rubbish took over major parts of Kumasi.

The election of a new Mayor for the assembly has been hailed by residents as a good thing.

“I am happy because things will begin to work again,” a trader told Joy News after she heard of Mr Assibey Antwi’s election.