A total of 35 people drawn from three regions
have filed to contest the Council of State election slated for February
9. The EC opened nominations from January 20 and closed it on January
26, 2017.The 1992 Constitution mandates the Council of State under
Article 89 to counsel the President in the performance of his
functions.
“The Council is required to consider and advise the President
or any other authority in respect of any appointment which is required by the
Constitution or any other law to be made in accordance with the advice of, or in
consultation with the Council.”
Donald Ato Dapatem reports from Kumasi
that out of the 28 people who picked nomination forms to contest the position of
the Ashanti Regional representative of the Council of State, 19 had returned the
forms at the close of nomination.
Only one female picked the forms, but
she could not return same.
Briefing the Daily Graphic, the Ashanti
Regional Director of the Electoral Commission (EC), Mr Serebuor Quaicoe, said
the forms of the 19 had been forwarded to Accra.
He explained that he
could not offer further details about the aspirants, stating that he would be
able to give full details after the EC headquarters had submitted the final list
back to Kumasi next week.
Names
Some of the names the Daily
Graphic picked included Baffuor Brentuo Hyiaman, the Manwerehene of Otumfuo Osei
Tutu II, known in private life as Dr William Grant; a former Ashanti Regional
New Patriotic Party Chairman, Mr Robert Yaw Amankwah; and the Assembly Member
for Nhyiaeso, Mr Abraham Boadi.
Eleven file to contest in Brong Ahafo
Region
From Sunyani Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah reports that 11 people filed
their nominations to contest the Brong Ahafo slot on the Council of State at the
close of nominations on Thursday.
Even though 14 people collected
nomination forms to contest the position, three of them failed to submit their
forms as of the close of nominations.
There was no female nomination as
of the close of the exercise.
They are made up of chiefs, businessmen,
farmers and other people with varied professional and academic
backgrounds.
Prominent among the candidates are the President of the
Brong Ahafo Regional House of Chief, Pimapim Yaw Kagbrese V, who is also the
Omanhene of Yeji Traditional Area; Osahene Kwakyi Aterkyi, the Omanhene of the
Kukuom Traditional Area, and Nana Ansah Adu Baah II, the Chief of
Yamfo.
Other candidates
Others are Mr Agyapong Adu-Baah, a
businessman, Nana Afena Nketia, a businessman; Nana Osei Yaw Barimah, a
biochemist, Mr Kwadwo Danso, a farmer and Mr James Kwadwo Kyeremeh, a tax
administrator.
The rest are Mr Kodwo Agyenim-Boateng, a journalist, Mr
Kwadwo Yeboah Fordjour, a businessman and Mr Kwasi Kyeremeh, a farmer/Bible
teacher.
The ages of the candidates range from 36 to 78, with Osahene
Aterkyi, 78, being the oldest candidate and Kwadwo Danso, 36,being the youngest
candidate.
Six file to contest in Central Region
Shirley
Asiedu-Addo also reports from Cape Coast that six persons have picked
nomination forms to contest the Council of State election in the Central
Region.
They include Nana Appiah Nuamah II, the Omanhene of Twifo
Mampong, the Vice-President of the Central Regional House of Chiefs and
educationist; Okatakyi Dr Amanfi Vll, the Omanhen of Asebu traditional area and
a lecturer; and Neenyi Ghartey VIl, the Omanhen of the Effutu traditional
area.
Others are Samuel Nana Brew-Butler, a Board Member of University of
Cape Coast (UCC) and a management scientist; George Frempong, the Regional
Coordinator for Inclusive Education at the Ghana Education Service and Prof. Ato
Essuman, Associate Professor of Education and Development.
The Central
Regional Director of the Electoral Commission (EC), Mrs Philomena Adusei, told
the press in Cape Coast yesterday that 10 people had picked nomination forms but
only six filed their nomination as of the close of nominations on
Thursday.
She said the commission had fixed February 9, 2017 for the
election barring any hitches.
The Electoral College
An electoral
college that comprises two from each of the 20 districts would be voting to
decide who represents the region on the council.
Madam Adusei said all
the candidates were above 50 years.
The council members are expected to
advise the President.
