Fourteen regional representatives were on Tuesday elected to serve on Ghana’s Council of State.
Apart from the Ashanti Regional contest, which was disrupted by thugs who invaded the polling centre and destroyed voting materials, including ballot papers, the exercise was successfully conducted in the other regions.
In the North East Region, however, the election is set for a rerun on February 13, 2025, following a tie between two of the seven candidates. Saaka Abuba and Asabigi San Malunga Nasamu secured six votes each.
A total of 154 aspirants contested the elections across the country.
Nene Drolor Bosso Adamtey I, an international consultant, author, and public speaker, was elected to represent the Greater Accra Region.
Mr. Michael Aidoo, Western North Regional Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), won the Western North Regional contest, while 33-year-old Dr. Maxwell Boakye was elected to represent the Western Region.
In the Central Region, Mr. Habib Hakeem, a 47-year-old miner, won the contest, while Chiana Pio, Thomas More Ditundini Adiali Ayagitam III, Paramount Chief of the Chiana Traditional Area, was elected to represent the Upper East Region.
Alhaji Muhammed Mumuni, a 75-year-old former Minister of Foreign Affairs under President John Atta Mills, was elected as the Northern Region’s representative. Evelyn Korang, a former Eastern Regional Women’s Organiser of the NDC, won the Eastern Regional contest.
In the Oti Region, Mr. Richard Atikpo, Chairman of Legon Cities Football Club, was elected, while Mr. Yaw Okyere, NDC Regional Chairman for Ahafo, won the Ahafo contest.
In the Volta Region, Mr. Tanko Kwamigah Atokple, a businessman, was elected, while Odeneho Dr. Afram Brempong III, Paramount Chief of the Suma Traditional Area, was elected to represent the Bono Region.
In the Savannah Region, Tingawura Alhaji Samson Seidu Abudu, Chief of Tinga, was elected, while Mr. Michael Kwame Mumuni, First Regional Vice Chair of the NDC, won the Upper West Regional contest.
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Chaos erupted during the Council of State elections in the Ashanti Region as unidentified individuals stormed the voting centre, disrupting the ballot sorting and counting process.
Eyewitnesses reported that the attackers overturned tables, vandalised ballot boxes, and scattered election materials, forcing Electoral Commission (EC) officials to halt proceedings.
The disturbance is believed to have been sparked by the unexpected loss of Yaw Owusu Obimpeh, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate widely seen as a strong contender.
Aggrieved supporters allegedly instigated the violence, demanding a review of the results. Security personnel on-site struggled to control the situation, leading to a temporary suspension of the election. In response, additional law enforcement officers were deployed to restore calm and secure electoral materials.
The Electoral Commission has yet to issue an official statement regarding the disruption or the next steps for concluding the election.
In the Greater Accra region, Nene Drolor Bosso Adamtey I was elected as the region’s representative on the Council of State after securing an overwhelming victory in the regional election held on Tuesday, February 11.
The election, supervised by the Electoral Commission (EC), saw Nene Drolor Bosso Adamtey I clinch the seat with 40 votes, while his contenders recorded zero votes.
The election was briefly disrupted when one of the aspirants, Musah Ziyad, was blocked by police while attempting to enter the polling room with some individuals.
The situation escalated into chaos, prompting Greater Accra Regional Minister Linda Ocloo to flee through an exit door. However, calm was soon restored, allowing the voting process to proceed smoothly.
A total of 58 delegates were expected to cast their votes.
