The Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly has elected Nana Akwasi Acheampong as its new Presiding Member following the resignation of his predecessor, Emmanuel Agyei-Mensah, who stepped down citing health reasons after three years in the role.
Acheampong, a 44-year-old civil engineer and assembly member for Nhyiaeso, was elected by 52 votes to 18 in a session held at the KMA conference hall. He becomes the youngest Presiding Member in the assembly's history.
In his acceptance speech, Acheampong pledged to prioritise infrastructure development, sanitation, and youth employment. "Kumasi deserves a world-class city government. I will work with every assembly member, regardless of political affiliation, to deliver that," he said.
The Mayor of Kumasi, Osei Bonsu, congratulated the new Presiding Member and expressed confidence in his ability to work collaboratively with the executive arm of the assembly. "We have a shared vision for Kumasi. I look forward to working with Nana Acheampong to realise it," he said.
The election was conducted under the supervision of the Electoral Commission and observed by representatives of the Local Government Service. It was described as free and fair by all parties.
Acheampong's first major task will be to oversee the assembly's budget review for the second half of 2026, which includes decisions on the allocation of the GH₵45 million received from the District Assemblies Common Fund in the first quarter.
Political observers note that Acheampong's election signals a generational shift in Kumasi's local governance, with younger, professionally qualified individuals increasingly taking on leadership roles in the city's administration.
