Yagbonwura rejects President Mahama's MCE nominee for West Gonja

Yagbonwura Bii-kunuto Jewu Soale I has declined to meet Braimah Alhassan, President John Dramani Mahama’s nominee for Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) of West Gonja.

On April 2, Alhassan traveled to Damongo to seek the Yagbonwura’s blessing but was turned away.

Accompanied by Damongowura Seidu Kelly, he was informed that the Jakpa Palace would not receive him. Efforts to gain an audience through senior Islamic clerics in Dakuripe also proved unsuccessful.

While the reasons for Yagbonwura’s refusal remain unclear, speculation points to a land dispute involving Alhassan’s associates.

Others believe Alhassan’s past reluctance to visit the palace may have influenced the decision.

The rejection has sparked mixed reactions among National Democratic Congress (NDC) supporters. While some back the Yagbonwura’s stance, others urge reconsideration.

Alhassan, an anaesthetist with the Ghana Health Service, has served as Damongo Constituency Secretary for 27 years.

However, this is not his first failed bid for an MCE position.

Under the late President John Evans Atta Mills, party supporters petitioned against his nomination, leading to his replacement by Adam Mutawakilu, now Managing Director of Ghana Water Company Limited.

This latest development adds to growing internal debates within the NDC over municipal appointments.