COUNCIL OF STATE ELECTIONS REACHING ACRIMONIOUS LEVEL ...In Upper West (PAGE 16)

THIS year’s elections to the Council of State in the Upper West Region is gradually reaching an acrimonious level.
This follows accusations and counter–accusations that some of the contenders are using the district assemblies structures to manipulate the electoral college.
Some of the candidates are being accused of trying to use the name of President J.E.A. Mills in the selection of those expected to form the electoral college.
Snippets of information gathered by the Daily Graphic, showed that if the situation was not handled maturely, some of the candidates might resort to the law courts to ensure that the selection process was transparent and acceptable to all the contenders.
The election is being contested by five personalities. They are a 69-year-old retired civil servant, William Gangnir; Paschal Dere, a development worker, 49; Naa Seidu Braimah, Naa S.D. Gore and Kuoro Buktie Limann, both rulers of Goli and Dorimon respectively.
With Paschal Dere, standing for the third time in his attempt to represent the region, would have tough challenge from Kuoro Buktie Limann, who is the immediate past Upper West Regional Member of the Council of State, and Na Seidu Braimah, a newcomer in the contest.
In the last election in 2005, Mr Dere lost by a single vote margin to Kuoro Limann. Campaigning on the theme: “Nurture the youth, give the youth the chance,” Mr Dere told the Daily Graphic that his vision was to galvanise the youth for what he termed “Youth Economic Empowerment Project”.
He promised to avail his expertise at all times of the assemblies when given the nod in order to accelerate the development process of the region.
He urged the first-time contenders to brace themselves as there was going to be a paradigm shift from the senior citizens era to the youth.