Chicago,USA- The Ghana National Council of Metropolitan Chicago (GNC) went to the polls yesterday and elected new officers for a two year term. The contested offices were the President, the Treasurer and the Sergeant-at-arm.

Mr. Reuben Hadzide, Current Treasurer and Representative of the Ewe Association of Metropolitan Chicago and Mr. Ebenezar Nsiah, representative of Asanteman Association of Chicago and current financial secretary, were elected President and Vice-President for a two year term. They won by a land slide affirmation vote of 20, there was one abstention.

Mrs. Elizabeth Bekoe, current president withdrew her nomination at the last minute.

The electoral officers were Nana Akwasi Addae, the Asantehene of Chicago, Rev. William Acquah and Rev. Emmanuel Betson both pastors of the Church of the Ghanaian community of Chicago.

Present at the meeting were Mr. Clement Timpo, former president of the Ghana National Council and Mr. Akwasi Yeboah, former Brong-Ahafo representative on the GNC.

Mr. Ernest Bugyei, representing the Fante Benevolent society on the council beat the incumbent sergeant-at-arm, Mr. George Asare by 14 votes to 7 to become the Sergeant-at-arm elect. Ebugyei won by landslide after asking delegates to include the youth in the executive. His comment, which generated into loud cheers of ?go youth, go youth? might have swayed enthusiastic members voting.

Mr. John Henry Assabill, an accountant by profession, won the treasury position by 21 votes for, non against. The original nominees for the position, Mr. Reuben Hadzide and Mr. Cobby Boahene declined the nomination.

Mrs. Elizabeth Bekoe congratulated the president ?elect and promised to work with the new administration to acquire a community center (Ghana House) for the Ghanaian community.

In his acceptance speech, the president-elect, Mr. Reuben Hadzide promised to unite the community and make the council better than he met it.