The Sunyani East Municipal Assembly in the Bono Region on Thursday, 17 July, held its first ordinary meeting of the second session of the Eighth Municipal Assembly, presided over by Hon. Abdul Razak Abdulai.
The meeting was attended by institutional heads, the MP for Sunyani East, MCE, and assembly members to discuss notable development plans and pressing challenges hindering development.
In his sectional address, the presiding member suspended the Assembly Member for Abonsuam electoral area, Hon. Raphael Cubagee, following findings of 10 charges of misconduct and breaches of the assembly’s Model Standing Orders.
The findings as read by the presiding member include unauthorized video recording of sub-committee meetings, improper signing of sub-committee reports, unlawful submission of Sub-committee report and recommendations, breach of procedural withdrawal from sub-committee duties.
The rest are public misconduct and unsubstantiated allegations against assembly officials, unauthorized engagement of public officials, airing of inappropriate private communication, misrepresentation to the executive committee, insubordination towards the municipal executive and use of abusive and disrespectful language.
Hon. Abdul Razak Abdulai announced, “Given the gravity of these infractions and in accordance with the authority vested in me under Part II, Section 13(1)(e) of the Model Standing Orders, I hereby suspend Hon. Raphael Cubagee effective immediately and until further notice.”
Following the pronouncement, the Abonsuam assembly member, Hon. Raphael Cubagee was escorted out of the meeting before the house commenced its business activities.
Some assembly members during proceedings on Thursday raised concerns over poor drainage systems at Zongo and areas around Sunyani High Court and SSNIT, which often cause perennial flooding.
The MCE, Hon. Vincent Antwi Agyei, in response, indicated that he has tasked the Sunyani Urban Roads Engineer to assess and provide detailed reports on the drainage situation for possible interventions.
The assembly member for Nkwabeng North, Hon. Adu Gyima Dominic also proposed establishing a DRIP Fund to mobilize finance to support road maintenance in Sunyani East, providing dedicated funding for regular maintenance and repairs.
The Municipal Chief Executive addressed concerns about the District Road Improvement Program (DRIP) machines, stating that the assembly is waiting for the green light from the DRIP Coordinator to utilize the machines.
He told the house that the follows the appointment of coordinators at the national, regional, and municipal levels, ensuring a streamlined process for implementing the program.
The MCE, Vincent Antwi Agyei, in one of his addresses, called on assembly members to support the upcoming decongestion exercise within the Sunyani central business district.
Hon. Vincent Antwi Agyei reveals to the house that as of May 2025, the assembly has generated GHC1,512,096.63ps, representing 35.3% of the budgeted Internally Generated Fund (IGF) of GHC4,795,686 for the 2025 fiscal year.
In addition, the MCE mentioned that the first batch of District Assembly Common Fund, totalling GHC2,289,533.90ps, has arrived.
Hon. Vincent outlined the disbursement plan for the funds, stating that 25% will be allocated to establishing a 24-hour economy model market in Sunyani.
Additionally, 10% will be dedicated to constructing two health centres or CHPS compounds and at least one classroom block for kindergarten, primary, and junior high schools.
Furthermore, 10% of the DACF will be used for constructing a minimum of 10 boreholes, while another 10% will be allocated for sanitation initiatives. 5% will be reserved for monitoring, and 10% for school furniture.
He told Kaakyire Kwasi Afari of Sunyani-based Ark fm that the remaining 20% will be utilized for completing legacy projects.
He assured that with the help of the Ministry of Energy, the assembly will soon undertake the rehabilitation of faulty streetlights in the municipality to aid night visibility.
The MP for Sunyani East, Hon. Seid Mubarak donated a motorbike to the police to aid their patrols on the Sunyani-Atronie road amid recent robbery attacks.
Source: Kaakyire Kwasi Afari. Ark FM, Sunyani