But for the timely intervention of the Greater Accra Regional Minister, Nii Amarh Ashittey, the Accra Metropolitan Chief Executive, Dr Alfred Okoe Vanderpuije, would probably not be in his position today. Members of the assembly had moved a motion and were about to pass a vote of no confidence in the mayor to cause his impeachment when the minister suddenly showed up to intervene, literally begging them to hold on to their intentions since the Accra Mayor was scheduled to accompany President Mills on a extended two-day tour of the metropolis beginning today. The regional minister was said to have asked the agitated assembly members to wait till the president’s tour since any such action would not cause an embarrassment for the mayor only but the president as well. Among the host of reasons they gave for their intended action was the mayor’s failure to attend meetings called by the Presiding Minister (PM) whilst others described him as incompetent and arrogant. There had even been occasions where some had called for his head for his failure to carry through his numerous decongestion exercises and his relations with a suspected arsonist who was alleged to have connived with some thugs to burn a portion of the Pedestrian Shopping Mall at Odawna, Kwame Nkrumah Circle. They said despite spending huge amounts on the decongestion exercise, it had turned out to be a fiasco, with the hawkers back on the streets. On Monday, members of the assembly were said to have moved a similar motion and were about to vote in the absence of the mayor and other directors of AMA but decided to give them an opportunity the next day, which was yesterday, to defend themselves. Daily Guide sources said even before most of the assembly members arrived at the premises yesterday, Dr Vanderpuije had caused the main hall where the assembly held its meeting to be put under lock and key, with armed policemen in sight. The agitated members, numbering about 87, however managed to enter the hall, only to find out that the Presiding Member (PM) seat had been removed from the room, obviously to prevent the session from taking place. Just as they were about to vote on the motion, the minister moved in to save the mayor’s head. A member of the assembly who spoke to Daily Guide on condition of anonymity indicated that come what may, they would remove the mayor from his position.