The immediate past Eastern Regional Representative of the Council of State Nana Somuah Mireku Nyampong III, Chief of Kwahu Asakraka and Apagyahene of Kwahu traditional area rescinded his intention to seek re-election after some elements closer to corridors of power allegedly hatched dirty agenda to frustrate him.
According to his special Aide Kwaku Antwi “for your information, the immediate past elected Eastern Regional representative to the Council of State, Nana Somuah Mireku Nyampong III who’s also the Apagyahene of Kwahu Traditional Area, is not contesting this time around”.
He explained that” Pressure was not brought to bear on anybody but some powers that be in the region, are making the whole thing very dirty and as revered chief, he has decided to back out to avoid any unhealthy campaign, character assassination and threats to innocent Municipal and District Executives. A lot of things has gone on recently which can’t be said in public”.
Nana Mireku – Nyampong III, an Accountant by profession polled 26 votes in 2017 to win the Council of State election slot in the Eastern region despite forces that rose against his bid.
Tenure of office of the Council of State members ended January 2021 and had wanted to seek re-election.
Meanwhile, a Biochemist and Businessman, Paa Kofi Ansong, an immediate past appointee to the council of state has filed nomination forms to contest the Council of State election in the Eastern Region.
Paa Kofi Ansong filed his nomination forms on Monday, February 1, 2021, at the Eastern Regional Office of the Electoral Commission amidst support by some appointees and Regional executives of the NPP.
Mr. Paa Kofi Ansong was appointed to serve on the council of state by President Akufo-Addo from February 2017 to 2021.
The Electoral Commission opened a nomination last week for the election of regional representatives of Council of state members in all sixteen (16) regions in Ghana.
Nominations opened from Monday, February 1 to February 4, 2021, according to a statement issued Thursday by the EC.
The President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, under Article 89(2) of the Constitution, has appointed the following eleven (11) persons to the Council of State:
1. Nana Otuo Siriboe II, Juabenhene
2. Archbishop Justice Ofei Akrofi
3. Mr. Sam Okudzeto
4. Mr. Stanley Blankson
5. Prof. Ato Essuman
6. Alhaji Aminu Amadu
7. Dr. Margaret Amoakohene
8. Mrs. Georgina Kusi
9. Mrs. Alberta Cudjoe
10. Kuoro Richard Babini Kanton VI
11. Alhaji Sule Yiremiah
The President, subject to consultation with Parliament, has also appointed, by Article 89(2)(a)(i)(ii) and (iii), Georgina Theodora Wood, a former Chief Justice, Lt. Gen. J. B. Danquah, a former Chief of Defence Staff of the Armed Forces, and Nana Owusu Nsiah, a former Inspector General of Police, to the Council. The President of the National House of Chiefs, Ogyeahohoo Yaw Gyebi II, is ex-officio a member of the Council.
The composition of the Council will be complete with the election, due to be held on 12th February 2021, of the regional representatives.
The Council of State in Ghana is a small body of prominent citizens, analogous to the Council of Elders in the traditional political system, which advises the President on national issues.
The Council of State was established by Articles 89 to 92 of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana: “There shall be a Council of State to counsel the President in the performance of his functions.
Source: Mybrytfmonline.com/Obed Ansah
