President John Dramani Mahama has charged the newly constituted Council of State to prove those who question their relevance in the current democratic dispensation wrong.
At the swearing in of the Council at the Presidency in Accra on Tuesday, President Mahama said the new Council has a golden opportunity to purge itself of criticisms it has faced in recent times by living beyond reproach.
“In recent times, the Council of State has come under criticism from an expectant public who perceive their work as unsatisfactory and merely one designed to rubber stamp executive decisions.
President Mahama (inset) swearing in the Council of State members
“Some have even questioned the very relevance of the Council of State and called for it to be scrapped. I hold out hope that your tenure may convince those who may doubt your functional necessity about your importance and put to rest any such perceptions,” President said.
The 31-member Council, chaired by a former Speaker of Parliament, Edward Doe Adjaho, is to counsel the President in the performance of his functions as provided for in Article 89(1) of the 1992 Constitution.
It is made up of three institutional representatives, 11 persons appointed by the President, 16 elected regional representatives and the president of the National House of Chiefs.
According to President Mahana, the mandate of the Council is not merely ceremonial but one of profound responsibility with high expectation of them to offer their wise counsel on matters of governance, policy and national development, drawing from their diverse backgrounds and experiences.
“The times we find ourselves in demands nothing less than selfless service, constructive dialogue, and unwavering patriotism,” he noted.
Ghana, President Mahana said faced complex challenges including economic distress, social cohesion issues; and the voice of the Council must be heard, not in mere rhetoric but in insightful, actionable and transformative guidance in addressing the challenges.
The citizenry, President Mahama said have indicated their revulsion for poor governance and have come to expect nothing short of quality administration of their affairs.
“As you take office, I urge you to be guided by the principles of integrity, objectivity and above all the national interest.
“Let your deliberations be marked by sincerity, your advice rooted in wisdom and your service inspired by the supreme welfare of the people of Ghana,” he entreated as he expressed confidence in the team to counsel him to deliver on his mandate.
Chairman of the Council, Mr Adjaho, said they were not oblivious of the challenges that confront the country and would guide the President to deliver on his mandate.
“I want to assure you on behalf of the Council that we will support you in the governance…and assure you that this Council will be a Council of difference,” Mr Adjaho said.
The appointed members of the Council are Daasebre Boamah Darko, Chief of Akyem Kukurantumi, Osabarima Kwesi Atta II, Paramount Chief of Oguaa Traditional Council, Vida Amankwanua Akoto-Bamfo, retired Justice of the Supreme Court.
Others are Mankpawura Jakpa Achor-Ade Borenyi I, Paramount Chief of Mankpan Traditional Area, Cletus Avoka, former MP for Zebilla, Dr Eunice Brookman-Amissah, former Health Minister, Betty Mould Iddrisu, Former Attorney General, Cynthia Komle Adjetey, former Ambassador, and Nana Saa Gyamfuaa II, Queen Mother of Ayima Traditional Area.
The institutional reps are Sophia Akuffo, a former Chief Justice, Mohammed Ahmed Alhassan, a former Inspector-General of Police, and Air Marshal (Rtd) Michael Samson-Oje, a former Chief of Defence Staff and Ogyeahoho Yaw Gyebi II, president of the National House of Chiefs.
The elected reps are Maxwell Boakye, Western Region; Hakeem Addae, Central; Nene Drolor Bosso Odamtey I, Greater Accra; Gabriel Adovoe Kwabla Tanko Kwamigah-Atokple, Volta; Evelyn Korang, Eastern; Michael Addo, Western North; Yaw Okyere, Ahafo and Dr Kusi Boakye Yiadom, Bono.
The rest are Pimampim Yaw Kagbrese V, Bono East; Richard Kings Atikpo, Oti; Alhaji Mohammed Mununi, Northern; Abudu Seidu Sampson, Savannah; Michael Kwame Mununi, Upper West; Thomas More Ditundini Adaili, Upper East; Yaw Owusu Bimpeh, Ashanti and Naa Saaka Abuba, North East.
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