14 new members have been elected to represent 14 out of 16 regions in Ghana, as elected regional representatives to the Council of State.
This comes after a successful conduct of elections on Friday, February 12, 2021.
The establishment of a Council of State in Ghana is a constitutional requirement brought into being by articles 89 to 92 of the 1992 Constitution, which says: “There shall be a Council of State to counsel the President in the performance of his functions”.
Membership of the council includes prominent citizens who are elected to represent each region, as well as those nominated by the President to advise him on national issues.
Each region elects a representative, while the President also appoints 11 members.
The ex-officio members are a former Chief Justice of Ghana, a former Chief of the Defence Staff, a former Inspector General of
Police and the President of the National House of Chiefs.
The already appointed individuals include former Chief Justice Georgina Theodora Wood, 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.
In addition, the President of the National House of Chiefs, Ogyeahohoo Yaw Gyebi II, is an ex-officio member of the Council, in furtherance of Article 89(2)(b).
Former Kumbungu lawmaker Ras Mubarak lost his run to represent the Northern region on the Council of State.
The outspoken politician garnered no vote in the Friday election.
The winner, Chief Zung Mahamud Tahiru, obtained 23 votes with his closest contender Chief Pishegu Alhassan Andani securing 8 votes.
Meanwhile, former Ningo Prampram lawmaker ET Mensah won the election to represent the Greater Accra region.
The veteran politician garnered all the 58 votes cast in the polls held in Accra. His Other two competitors had no votes.
Meanwhile, there was no election in the Bono East as a result of an court injunction placed on the exercise.
There was a tie in the Western Regional elections necessitating a run-off, which has been scheduled for Monday, 15 February, 2021.
More than 100 candidates from the 16 regions of the country filed to contest the election.
By:Isaac Clottey
