The reason for his last-minute decision is “personal”, a letter written by him on Wednesday [15th February, 2017] said.

[contextly_sidebar id=”FlCg795GALRFtNA8IJeLaAQpIIdWkW0P”]A notice of poll of persons contesting the Greater Accra regional slot on the Council of State earlier this week showed the long-serving National Democratic Congress (NDC) member had put in his nomination to represent the Greater Accra region on the Council of State.

The NDC executives of the Ningo-Prampram constituency expressed regret about the former MP’s decision, saying it would send wrong signals to the grassroots members of the party that he has joined the New Patriotic Party.

The withdrawal letter, addressed to the regional electoral director of the Electoral Commission, sighted by citifmonline.com said;

“I wish to inform you of my decision to withdraw from the council of state slot for the Greater Accra Region. My reason for withdrawing from the race is personal. Thank you for your kind consideration.”

Meanwhile, the Electoral Commission of Ghana says it has made all the necessary arrangements to hold a smooth Council of State election today [Thursday, February 16, 2017].

About 430 voters across the country are expected to cast their ballots to elect their respective regional representative on the Council.

A total of 113 candidates between the ages of 23 and 84 are contesting in the election which will take place in all regional capitals across the country.

The poll starts at 10am today and is expected to end by 2pm.

‘About the Council of State’

The Council of State consists of one representative from each region of Ghana, elected in accordance with regulations made by the EC under article 51 of Ghana’s constitution, by an electoral college comprising two representatives from each of the districts in the region, nominated by the District Assemblies in the region, and eleven other members appointed by the President.

President Akufo-Addo earlier this week announced the names of his 11 nominees to serve in the Council accordance with Article 89 (2)(d) of the constitution.

Notable among the appointees are the former Metropolitan Chief Executive of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly, Stanley Nii Adjiri Blankson and a former President of the Ghana Bar Association, Sam Okudzeto.

The others are: the Jaubenhene Nana Otuo Siriboe II, Nana Kofi Obiri Egyir II, Mrs. Alberta Cudjoe, Alhaji Aminu Amadu, Dr. Margaret Amoakohene, Alhaji Sahanun Moqtar, Mrs. Georgina Kusi, Alhaji Sule Yiremiah and Mr. Paa Kofi Ansong.

Aside these 11 appointees, the Council of State must include a former Chief Justice, a former Chief of the Defence Staff and a former Inspector General of Police and the President of the National House of Chiefs per Article 89(2)(a)(i) of the constitution.

–

By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @jnyabor

The post E.T Mensah withdraws from Council of State race appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The constituency executives of the party are seeking to talk the former minister out of the contest.

[contextly_sidebar id=”L4gdRTKpQMonMYgdKk0QdiH1czsHAO99″]The party in the constituency said it is shocked that its onetime long-serving MP is vying for membership of the yet to be constituted Council of State in an NPP government.

According to them, his decision is a betrayal of the NDC, and may send wrong signals to the party’s grassroots members.

The constituency secretary for the NDC, Cephas Teye, told Citi News, “We are yet to convene a meeting to discuss that issue. The first time I heard it, I was shocked the old man [ET Mensah] can go that far. For somebody who has been a minister for so many years and when there is a change in government you go and join the other government, to be a member of the council for that government is something else.”

“I called the chairman and told him about what I’ve heard. We are yet to meet and discuss how we will go about that decision; it’s either we go to him or see what else to do.”

“Majority of our people don’t understand that it is non-partisan, so as soon as they see him during a different government regime, they will be thinking that he has gone to join them [NPP].”

The Council of State consists of one representative from each region of Ghana, elected in accordance with regulations made by the EC under article 51 of Ghana’s constitution, by an electoral college comprising two representatives from each of the districts in the region, nominated by the District Assemblies in the region, and eleven other members appointed by the President.

Mr. Mensah had served in Ghana’s legislature for two decades till he was defeated in the 2015 National Democratic Congress (NDC) primaries by his protege Sam George, who subsequently won the parliamentary election.

Will E.T. Mensah join the NPP?

It is not clear whether by this decision, Mr. E.T. Mensah may be contemplating breaking away from the NDC.

Ordinarily, council of state members in any government are people who have some form of leanings towards the party in power. It is thus unclear how  Mr. E.T. Mensah can emerge victorious in such an election to be one of the advisers for a President who contested and won on the ticket the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

Mr. E.T. Mensah’s time in politics dates back to 1992, when he was appointed Minister for Youth and Sports by President Jerry Rawlings. He later stood for the 1996 parliamentary elections and was elected MP for the Ningo-Prampram constituency where he served for over two decades.

He has also served in government as Minister for Employment and Social Welfare in 2010, and the Minister for Education in 2012.

The Council of State election is slated for Thursday, February 16, 2017.

–

By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @jnyabor

The post Ningo-Prampram NDC angry over E.T Mensah’s council of state bid appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

A notice of poll published by the Electoral Commission, confirms Mr. E.T Mensah’s participation in the election slated for Thursday, February 16.

The news comes as a surprise, considering that he is a known member of the NDC.

The Council of State consists of one representative from each region of Ghana, elected in accordance with regulations made by the EC under article 51 of Ghana’s constitution, by an electoral college comprising two representatives from each of the districts in the region, nominated by the District Assemblies in the region, and eleven other members appointed by the President.

Mr. Mensah had served in Ghana’s legislature for two decades till he was defeated in the 2015 National Democratic Congress (NDC) primary in by his protege Sam George.

That defeat created serious divisions between him and Mr. George, who eventually went on to win the elections. There were reports that prior to election 2016, Mr. E.T. Mensah even campaigned for the NPP’s Parliamentary Candidate in the area, ostensibly following his altercation with Sam George.

Sam George, who was a presidential staffer in the presidency of John Mahama, is believed to have been supported by the President and other influential persons in government at the time, to oust the long-serving MP.

Will E.T. Mensah join the NPP?

It is not clear whether by this decision, Mr. E.T. Mensah may be contemplating breaking away from the NDC.

Ordinarily, council of state members in any government are people who have some form of leanings towards the party in power. It is thus unclear how  Mr. E.T. Mensah can emerge a winner in such an election to be one of the advisers for a President on the ticket of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

Mr. E.T. Mensah’s time in politics stretches back to 1992, when he was appointed Minister for Youth and Sports by President Jerry Rawlings. He later stood for parliament in 1996 and was elected MP for the Ningo-Prampram constituency.

He has also served in government as Minister for Employment and Social Welfare in 2010, and the Minister for Education in 2012.

–

By: Delali Adogla-Bessa/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post NDC’s E.T. Mensah vies for council of state membership appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

According to the President, E.T. Mensah, who lost the National Democratic Congress’ (NDC) parliamentary primary in the Ningo-Prampram constituency to Sam George, should not despair despite his loss.

[contextly_sidebar id=”MzRniHaITEpCAHxxjzxCSA6h2M6Rd4s4″]Mahama, who made the comment during the NDC campaign launch in the area, commended ET Mensah, saying he plays a very important role in his administration and urged the MP to move on.

“Sometimes when God closes one door, don’t stand in front of that door and weep; look around to see he has opened another door for you. Don’t stand there and be weeping and say God why have you closed this door to me. My brother ET Mensah is a very important member of our party and we all appreciate him very much; but the time comes when you have to move on and you will move on to better things. In my administration, ET will not struggle to do something in my administration.”

“And so I want himself and all the people who support him, the chiefs, parliamentary candidates and everybody to become one strong Ningo-Prampram constituency.

Sam George defeated ET Mensah in NDC primary

Sam George in 2016 defeated E.T Mensah in the party’s primaries; ending his 20 year reign as MP.

Sam George polled 63% of the total votes cast in the primary while E.T. Mensah had 38.5%.

The relationship between the two NDC members had become sour after the primary.

–

By: Godwin A. Allotey/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @AlloteyGodwin

The post Your job is assured in my gov’t – Mahama to ET Mensah appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.