Mr. Akenten Appiah-Menka, a founding member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has lost his bid to represent the Ashanti region on the Council of State. He polled a total of 20 votes, nine votes short of the ballots of the Toasehene, Nana Asiamah Afrifa Poku II, who polled 29 votes. Mr Appiah-Menka’s decision to represent his region on the council was met with mixed reactions. While some said his membership on the Council of State would add to President Mills’ promise of forming an all-inclusive government, others said his political ideologies could bring a division in the council. The 72-year-old industrialist contested in the race with Reverend George Antwi who polled one vote, Mr. Kwame Gyau-Kyem who polled no vote and Mr. Joseph Alexander Tuffuor Sarkodie who pulled out of the race citing lack of interest.