Traditional authorities in Kasoa, Odupong Ofaakor and adjoining communities have appealed to President John Dramani Mahama to remove the Awutu Senya East Municipal Chief Executive, Seth Serwonoo Banini, citing alleged administrative ineffectiveness and what they described as disrespect toward traditional institutions.
The chiefs made the call during the 2026 Awubia Festival in Kasoa, where they voiced growing dissatisfaction with the management of the municipality and expressed concerns about what they consider inadequate cooperation between the Municipal Assembly and traditional authorities.
According to the traditional leaders, the Assembly’s performance under Mr Banini has failed to meet their expectations since his appointment, with concerns ranging from the pace of development to the relationship between the municipal administration and traditional institutions.
The chiefs also referred to what they claimed was the municipality’s position in the latest performance ranking of Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives within the Central Region, alleging that Awutu Senya East Municipality occupied the final position.
Beyond concerns about administrative performance, the traditional authorities accused the MCE of allegedly involving himself in chieftaincy related matters, which they said had created tension between the municipal administration and traditional leaders.
They further expressed displeasure over comments they attributed to Mr Banini concerning traditional authorities and land ownership, arguing that such remarks cast chiefs and traditional land custodians in an unfavourable light.
Speaking to journalists during the festival, the Boundary Chief of the Awutu Traditional Council, Nai Atopi, appealed to President Mahama and the Central Regional Minister to consider appointing a replacement who would be prepared to establish a more constructive relationship with the traditional authorities.
Nai Atopi stated that the chiefs no longer wished to see Mr Banini remain in office as Municipal Chief Executive, alleging that his conduct was undermining the fortunes of the governing National Democratic Congress in Kasoa.
He maintained that Awutu Senya East required a municipal administrator who would recognise the importance of traditional institutions, engage them respectfully and work with them to accelerate development across the municipality.
The Mankrado of the Odupong Ofaakor Stool, Nai Darko Ankrah, and the Odikro of Kasoa, Nai Saani Seidu, similarly raised concerns about what they characterised as attempts to deploy political authority to intimidate traditional leaders.
They argued that individuals occupying political and administrative positions must acknowledge the distinct constitutional and customary roles of traditional institutions and refrain from conduct that could weaken their authority.
The traditional leaders consequently called for a renewed relationship between the Municipal Assembly and the traditional authorities, stressing that mutual regard, consultation and collective responsibility were necessary to advance development and preserve peace within Kasoa and the wider Awutu Senya East Municipality.
Their appeal now places the conduct and performance of the Municipal Chief Executive under increased public scrutiny, while the response of President Mahama and the Central Regional authorities to the chiefs’ concerns remains awaited.
