Sekondi, Feb. 20, GNA - Mr Kaku Sagary Nokoe, a 59 year-old lecturer, who applied to contest the Council of State to represent the Western Region has withdrawn. No reasons were given for the action by Mr Nokoe. Briefing the Ghana News Agency (GNA) at Takoradi, on, Thursday, Mr Steve Opoku-Mensah, Western Regional Director of the Electoral Commission (EC), said the Commission was notified in a letter signed by Mr Nokoe. Mr Opoku-Mensah said he was the second to withdrawn from the Council of State election. Madam Akua Ansah Eshun, a women's activist earlier withdrew from the contest, in December.

Mr Opoku-Mensah said the election would take place on Tuesday Feb. 24, at Sekondi. The other contestants include Madam Georgina Bus-Kwofie, a 74 year old retired educationist and former District Chief Executive of Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly (STMA); Mr. William Kojoe Thompson, 80 year old retired administrator; Mr. Edward Ansah Bartey, a 70 year a retired administrator. The rest are Mr. Kwabena Asante, a 59 year old social commentator, Mr. Francis Mensah, a 69 year old retired teacher and Mr. George Kofi Dadzie a 55-year old operations manager.