Six women vie for Council of State slots

Out of the 113 aspirants in the Council of State election to be held nationwide on Thursday, February 16, only six are women, Eric Kofi Dzakpasu, Director of Public Affairs of the Electoral Commission, has revealed.

Speaking in interview with Chief Jerry Forson, host of Ghana Yensom, on Accra100.5FM on Wednesday February 15, Mr Dzakpasu said: “Out of the 113 people who picked the forms nationwide, six of them are women.”

He further explained: “The elections will take place in the conference rooms of the Regional Coordinating Councils across the country, but for the Greater Accra Region it will take place at the Ga West District Assembly.”

Meanwhile, President Nana Akufo-Addo has selected 14 individuals to serve as members of the Council of State.

A statement from the presidency released on Tuesday, February 14 stated that the president did the nominations “pursuant to Article 82(2)(d) of the Constitution”.

These appointees include Juabenhene Nana Otuo Siriboe II, Sam Okudzeto, Nana Kofi Obiri Egyir II, Stanley Adjiri Blankson, Mrs Alberta Cudjoe, Alhaji Aminu Amadu, Dr Margaret Amoakohene, Alhaji Sahanun Moqtar, Mrs Georgina Kusi, Alhaji Sule Yiremiah, and Mr Paa Kofi Ansong.

The release also added: “The president has, subject to the approval of Parliament, also appointed, in accordance with Article 89(2)(a)(ii) and (iii), General 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.

“Since there is no living former Chief Justice, the president is unable to propose a name for the approval of parliament, in accordance with Article 89(2)(a)(i). The President of the National House of Chiefs, Togbe Afede XIV, is an ex-officio member of the Council in furtherance of Article 89(2)(b).”