Cape Coast, Feb. 24, GNA - Mr Ato Essuman, 55, Chief Director at the Ministry of Education, on Tuesday polled 18 votes to retain his position as the Central Regional representative on the Council of State. Mr Sam Pee Yalley, also 55 and a former District Chief Executive for Cape Coast, during the first National Democratic Congress (NDC) regime, polled 16 votes, while Mr Attila Frank Lamadoku, 31, a teacher at the AME Zion Senior Secondary School in Cape Coast, polled no vote at all.

Three other contestants, Nana Kwamina Ansah IV, 71, Omanhene of Eguaafo traditional area and former president of the regional house of chiefs, Mr Abraham Kwaku Fokuo,61, a retired educationist and Nana Nkwantabisa,III, chief of Twifu-Nyinase, both of whom are also former district chief executives in the first NDC government, had earlier withdrawn from the contest.

Nana Ansah, had written to the Electoral Commission (EC) to announce his withdrawal, while the two others came personally on Tuesday to announce their withdrawal, before the election took place. A 34-member electoral college took part in the election which was conducted by the EC.

Mr Essuman expressed gratitude for the trust reposed in him by retaining him on the Council and gave the assurance that he would use his knowledge and experience to help accelerate the development of the region.

He gave the assurance that he would ensure the completion of a mother's hostel, which he has initiated at the Central Regional Hospital.

The Chief Director, appealed to assemblies in the region to fully participate in the region's developmental aspiration to ensure that they all work together in unity