Brong Ahafo Re-Elects Adusah For Council Of State

71 year old politician, Michael Kojo Adusah, has for the second time running been elected to represent the Brong Ahafo Region on the council of state. He polled thirty four ( 34) votes out of the total valid 38 ballots cast, ahead of his two other contestants in a very transparent elections conducted by the Brong Ahafo Regional Electoral Commission,(EC), in Sunyani.

His closest rival, venerable Peter Kwadwo Sakyi, a 69 year old teacher and Archdeacon of the Nkoranza Anglican Church, managed only four (4) votes, while another teacher, Isaac Owusu Ansah, 40, had no vote.

The election which was scheduled to have started at 10:00am, delayed for almost one hour due to the late arrival of some of the delegates who had to travel from afar.

Before the voting, each of the three candidates was give five minutes to present their manifestos to the Electoral College.

In his speech, the youngest candidate, Mr Isaac Owusu Ansah, who is physically challenged, told the delegates that if voted to represent the region, he would advise the president to take a serious look at the physically challenged in the society.

He observed that the council of state has so far failed or refused to address issues affecting the physically challenged in the country.

Mr Owusu Ansah promised to talk to the president to ensure that building contractors consider the physically challenge in their planning.

"I may be the youngest candidate for the council of state membership, but it is said in one of our proverbs that the child eats with elders when he washes his hands very well", he pointed out.

He added that teachers must be granted study leave irrespective of the disciplines they wish to pursue.

"The Ghana Education Service, (GES) also needs lawyers and so if a teacher wishes to read law during his or her study leave, he or she must be granted the leave with pay", he said amidst applause from the enthusiastic delegates.

Venereal Peter Kwadwo Sakyi, also a teacher noted that teachers and farmers contribute immensely to the development of the nation, yet they are so neglected and sometimes cheated.

"Teachers are retired promptly but it takes so long a time for them to enjoy their pension contributions', he explained.

The Rev. Minister said if elected he would constantly advise the president to consider reviewing the current pension scheme.

'As a teacher myself, I will know how to talk to the president on behalf of teachers", he added.

The incumbent member on the council, Mr Adusah who appeared the obvious choice for so many reasons, only told the delegates that he has had the experience and that he has been instrumental in some developmental projects the region has had.

"I can recall the role I played in getting GHACEM to donate bags of cement for some projects in the region among others", he said.

After almost one hour of voting, the Brong Ahafo Regional Chairman of the Electoral Commission, Mr Amadu Sule, satisfied with the conduct of the delegates and observers, declared Mr Adusah the winner with 34 votes.

"I must admit that once again we have had a peaceful election in the region. Voter turn out has been hundred per cent because all the 38 delegates voted in the Electoral College system", he said beaming with smiles.

In his victory remarks, the elated Adusah said he will continue to give the president good advise for him to achieve the targets set in the Positive Change Chapter Two frame work.

He called for total support from all stakeholders for accelerated socio- economic growth in the region.