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03.02.2009 Politics

Appiah-Menka Battles For Council Of State Seat

By Daily Guide
Appiah-Menka Battles For Council Of State Seat
03.02.2009 LISTEN

Akenten Appiah-Menka Information reaching DAILY GUIDE indicates that Akenten Appiah-Menka, a founding member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), is in contention with four other persons for the single slot to represent the Ashanti Region in the Council of State.

The four persons who are competing with the 72-year-old renowned industrialist and lawyer are Reverend George Antwi, Nana Asiamah Poku Afrifa II, Joseph Alexander Tuffuor Sarkodie and one Kwame Gyaukyem.

The Ashanti Regional Director of the Electoral Commission (EC), Kofi Asomaning who divulged this to DAILY GUIDE indicated that an election would be held on February 10 to select one of the five persons to represent the region in the Council of State.

He however could not disclose the venue for the election, noting that plans were afoot to settle on a deserving venue for the poll.

Mr. Asomaning revealed that a 54-member Electoral College comprising two delegates each from the 27 district assemblies in the region are expected to elect the region's representative at the Council of State.

To ensure prompt selection of delegates for the poll, the Ashanti Regional EC boss noted that notice of the upcoming election had already been served in all the 27 district assemblies in the region.

In an interview with DAILY GUIDE, Mr. Appiah-Menka confirmed his involvement in the race, and noted, “I'm willing to serve my country in any capacity”.

He said though he is a founding member of the NPP, he is ready to serve the country under the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) because he cares for Ghana.

“Now that the elections are over, let's put party politics aside and think of the supreme interest of the state, because after all we have only one Ghana and it belongs to all of us,” the chairman of the Ashanti Regional Council of Elders of the NPP noted.

The astute legal practitioner and economist indicated that even if he is voted to serve in the Council of State, his dedication and loyalty to the NPP will remain unchanged.

He promised to work in harmony with his colleagues to offer President Mills the very best of advice that will further move the country forward in the positive direction.

The President is required by the Constitution to constitute a 24-member Council of State to advise him on the governance of the country.

As per the Constitution, the former Inspector General of Police (IGP), Chief of the Defence Staff and the Chief Justice including eleven appointees of the President and representatives from each of the ten regions in the country will form the Council of State.

From Morgan Owusu, Kumasi

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