Council of State race: Otumfuo’s Mawerehene floored

The Mawerehene of the Asante Monarch has lost his bid to represent the Ashanti Region on the Council of State.

Baffour Osei Brentuo Hyiaman VI polled five votes.

A sub-chief in the Asante Kingdom, Nana Owusu Akyew Brepong, polled 54 votes while Yaw Amankwa obtained 10 votes.

The Mawerehene lost despite the last-minute withdrawal of some candidates to support him.

Greater Accra

Meanwhile, in the Greater Accra Region, the Chief Executive Officer of Groupe Ideal, Dr Nii Kotei Dzani, has won the Greater Accra slot.

Dr Dzani had 20 votes while his closest contender Nene Atiapa polled 12, the rest of the candidates had no votes.

Dr Nii Kotei Dzani’s profile

Dr Dzani is an entrepreneur and businessman par excellence, with extensive business experience as an economist and business owner with a proven record of successful entrepreneurship having established over eight companies within five years.

His desire is to transform Groupe Ideal into a world class conglomerate. The former Barclays Bank and Canal Capital Executive was also voted Emerging Man of the Year 2014 by Accra-based VIASAT1 Television.

Dr Dzani has a rich and enviable experience in strategic innovation, business strategy and marketing; branding and human resource management coupled with his in-depth expertise in SME advisory service, asset management, development and financing of projects.

In addition, he has carried out extensive research on microfinance and commercial banking.

Dr Dzani is an accomplished individual, a motivated self-starter and excellent negotiator with the credibility to engage and influence business at all levels.

Educational background

He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from the University of Cape Coast, Ghana and an Honorary Doctorate from Oral Roberts University, Oklahoma, USA.

He also holds an MBA in Corporate Governance & Finance from University of Hull, United Kingdom. He is currently undertaking a professional law degree.

Business achievements

In 2009, he established a consultancy firm to advise banks and other financial institutions on financial models and risk management.

Ideal Finance was subsequently established in 2010 offering money lending services and has grown to become a credible finance house.

Under his able leadership, Ideal Financial Holdings acquired a majority share ownership of Ezi Savings and loans in 2014 which saw it rebranded to FirsTrust Savings and loans, saving the jobs of over 200 Ghanaians, and also enhancing confidence in the financial sector.

Dr Dzani through his foundation, Tsatse Foundation, has undertaken many social interventions and Corporate Social Responsibility activities including Educational scholarships for needy and brilliant students, support for Otumfuo Educational Foundation, support for strategic state institutions like Ghana Police Service, 37 Military Hospital, sponsorship of corporate events and many more. The foundation regularly supports various orphanage homes across the country.

Central Region

The slot was won by the 56-year-old paramount Chief for Twifo Mampong, Nana Appiah Boamah II, who is also the vice president of the Central Regional House of Chiefs. He polled 11 votes to beat closest contender Nana Sam Brew Butler who had seven votes as well as four others.

Eastern Region

The Eastern regional slot was won by the chief of Kwahu Asakraka and Apegyahene of Kwahu Traditional Area, Nana Somuah Mireku-Nyanpong II, an accountant. He polled 26 votes to beat his closest contender Afare Apeadu Donkor who got 23 votes.

Upper East Region

In the Upper West Region, 59-year-old paramount Chief of the Tumu Traditional Area, Tumu Kuoro Richard Babini Kanton, won the slot with 13 votes. He beat rivals Abubakari Sadik and Naa Jamaa Mataarah II.

Volta Region

In the Volta Region, 50-year-old CEO of Fraga Oil, Francis Albert Seth Nyonyo, won the slot with 29 votes ahead of 18 other contenders.