Council of State (Ghana)

The Council of State in Ghana is a small body of prominent citizens, analogous to the Council of Elders in the traditional political system, which advises the President on national issues.

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The Council of State was established by Articles 89 to 92 of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana: "There shall be a Council of State to counsel the President in the performance of his functions."[1]

Membership

The Council of State should include a former Chief Justice of Ghana, a former Chief of the Defence Staff and a former Inspector General of Police and the President of the National House of Chiefs. Each region of Ghana also has an elected representative. The President of Ghana also appoints eleven members. Members stay in office until the term of office of the president ends.[2]

Current members

The current membership were sworn in by President Nana Akufo-Addo on 27 February 2017 at the State House in Accra.[3] The vacant position reserved for former Chief Justice of Ghana was filled following the appointment of Georgina Theodora Wood following her retirement.[4]

Meetings

The Council is required to meet four times a year. It can also meet if requested by the President of Ghana, the Parliament of Ghana or by at least five sitting members of the Council. There should be more tham half the members of the Council at a meeting to form a quorum. Decisions of the Council are valid if voted for by the majority of members present at the meeting. The Council regulates its own procedures subject to the provisions of the Ghana Constitution.[5]

Elected members

Name Term Comments
Nana Owusu Achiaw[3]Feb 2017–presentAshanti Region
Kwadwo Agyenim Boateng[3]Feb 2017–presentBrong Ahafo Region
Obrempong Appiah Nuamah II[3]Feb 2017–presentCentral Region
Nana Somuah Mireku- Nyampong[3]Feb 2017–presentEastern Region
Nii Kotei Dzani[3]Feb 2017–presentGreater Accra Region
Bo-Na Professor Yakubu S. Nantogma [3]Feb 2017–presentNorthern Region
Robert D. Mosore[3]Feb 2017–presentUpper East Region
Richard Babini Kanton IV[3]Feb 2017–presentUpper West Region
Francis Albert Seth Nyonyo[3]Feb 2017–presentVolta Region
Eunice Jacqueline Buah[3]Feb 2017–presentWestern Region

Appointed members

Nana Otuo Siriboe II[6][7]Feb 2017–present
(also 2005 - 2009)		Paramount Chief of Asante-Juaben Traditional Area
Former Lecturer at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology
Elected chairman by the council in 2017[8]
Sam Okudzeto[6]Feb 2017–presentformer President of the Ghana Bar Association
Stanley Nii Adjiri Blankson[6]Feb 2017–presentformer Mayor of Accra
Mrs. Alberta Cudjoe[6]Feb 2017–present
Alhaji Aminu Amadu[6]Feb 2017–present
Margaret Amoakohene[6]Feb 2017–presentSchool of Communication Studies, University of Ghana, Legon;
Mrs. Georgina Kusi[6]Feb 2017–present
Alhaji Sule Yiremiah[6]Feb 2017–present
Justice Ofei Akrofi[9][10]Feb 2021 - presentAnglican Archbishop
Ato Essuman[9][10]Feb 2021 - present
Kuoro Richard Babini Kanton VI[9][10]Feb 2017 - presentTumu Kuoro and elected member for Upper West Region from 2017, appointed by Nana Akufo-Addo from Feb 2021

Ex-Officio Members

General J.B. Danquah[3]Feb 2017–presentformer Chief of the Defence Staff
Nana Owusu-Nsiah[3]Feb 2017–presentformer Inspector General of Police
Georgina Theodora Wood[4]June 2017 – presentformer Chief Justice of Ghana

Past members of the Council of State

Elected members

Region Name Term Comments
Ashanti RegionNana Asiama Poku Afrifa[11][12]2009 - January 2017
Benjamin Asonaba Dapaah[13]2001 - 2009Transport Owner
Brong Ahafo RegionNana Saa Gyamfuaa II[12]February 2013 - January 2017
J. H. Owusu-Acheampong[11]2009 - 2013former Regional Minister , Provisional National Defence Council
Michael Kwadwo Adusah[13]2005 - 2009Retired Assistant Commissioner of Police
Central RegionPercival Alfred Kuranchie[12]February 2013 - January 2017
Ato Essuman[11][7]2005 - 2013Management consultant
Eastern RegionNana Kodua Kesse II[12]February 2013 - January 2017
Osabarima Owusu Gyamadu III[11]2009 - 2013
Fredrick Guggisberg Yaw Ofori-Atta[13]2005 - 2009Industrial Relations Practitioner
Greater Accra RegionEmmanuel Adzei-Anang[12]2009 - January 2017
John Sackah Addo[13]2005 - 2009Former Governor of the Bank of Ghana
Northern RegionVo-Naa Bawah Mohammed Baba[12]2009 - January 2017
Naa Sebiyam Nabila[13]2005 - 2009
Upper East RegionThe Rt. Rev. Dr Jacob Kofi Ayeebo[12]February 2009[14] - January 2017
Francis Asianab Afoko[13]2005 - 2009Businessman
Upper West RegionGuli-Naa Seidu Bhat Braimah[12]February 2009 - January 2017Former District Chief Executive for Wa Municipal (Longest Serving DCE). (Chief of Guli Traditional area)
Naa Seidu Braimah2009 - 2013
Kuoro Kuri-Buktie Limann IV[13]2005 - 2009Paramount Chief of Gwollu Traditional Area
Volta RegionTogbui Binah Lawluvi VI[15][12]2013 - January 2017Paramount Chief of Ziope Traditional area
Lawyer and lecturer at Ho Polytechnic
President of Volta Regional Chapter of Association of Rural Banks
Bernard Kwasi Glover2009 - 2013
Togbe Kpangbatriku III[13]2005 - 2009Paramount Chief of Dodome Traditional Area
Western RegionGeorge Kofi Dadzie[12]2009 - January 2017
Paul Kwabena Damoah[13]2005 - 2009Agriculturist

Appointed members

Appointing President Name Term Comments
Nana Akufo-AddoPaa Kofi Ansong[6]Feb 2017 - Feb 2021[9][10]
Nana Kofi Obiri Egyir II[6]Feb 2017 - Feb 2021[9][10]Sanaa Lodge
Alhaji Sahanun Moqtar[6]Feb 2017 – Feb 2021[9][10]
John KufuorNaa Thomas Tia Sulemana[13]2005 - 2009Zosali-Na
Nana Ogyeabuor Akompi Finam II2001 - 2004
Naa Abayifa Karbo II[13]2001-2004
Kofi Amanor Ansah[13]2001-2004
Nana Prah Agyensaim[13]2001-2004
Nana Otuo Siribour II[13]2005-2009Paramount Chief of Asante-Juaben Traditional Area and former lecturer at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology
Fred Ofori-Atta Asante2001-2004
Albert Adu-Boahen[13]2001-2004Retired University of Ghana lecturer
Emma Mitchell[13]2001-2004
Alhaji Alhassan Bin-Salih[13]2001 - 2009
Clement Kubindiwor Tedam[13]2001 - 2009former Minister of Local Government, (SMC) and Educationist
Anthony K. Deku[13]2001 - 2009Former Commissioner of Police (CID)
Kwesi Armah[13]2001 - 2009Former High Commissioner to the United Kingdom and a Barrister-at-Law
Samuel Asante-Antwi[13]2005 - 2009Immediate-Past Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church of Ghana
Daniel Adzei Bekoe[13]2001 - 2009Former Vice Chancellor of the University of Ghana
Alexander Kwapong2001 - 2004former Vice Chancellor of the University of Ghana
Ama Busia[13]2001 - 2009a former Principal Domestic Bursar, University of Ghana
Gifty Afenyi-Dadzie[13]2005-2009Past President of the Ghana Journalists Association and a member of the Media Commission
Cecilia Bannerman2005-2009Former Minister of Mines
John Atta MillsMrs Victoria Addy[7]2009 - 2013
Hajia Hajara Musah Ali[7]2009 - 2013
Mrs Cecilia Johnson[7]2009 – 2013former Minister for Local Government and Rural Development
George Akilagpa Sawyerr[7]2009 - 2013Former Vice Chancellor of the University of Ghana
Alhaji Mahama Iddrisu[7]2009 - 2013former member of PNDC and Defence Minister
Nana Akuoko Sarpong[7]2009 - 2013former Secretary for Chieftaincy Affairs
Otumfuor Baidoo Bonso XV[7]2009 - 2013
Daasebre Kwebu Ewusi[7]2009 - 2013
Nii Amoo Darku[7]2009 - 2013
Asoma Abu Banda[7]2009 - 2013
Kofi Awoonor[7]2009 -2013Chairman, former Permanent Representative to the United Nations and retired University lecturer
John MahamaJohn Henry Martey NewmanFebruary 2013 - January 2017Former Chairman of the Council[16]
former Chief of Staff under the late President John Mills
Nana Osei Asibey[17][18]February 2013 - January 2017Dabosohene, Ashanti Region
Cecilia Johnson[7][18]February 2013 - January 2017former Minister for Local Government and Rural Development, Brong-Ahafo Region
Ama Benyiwa Doe[7][18]February 2013 - January 2017former Central Regional Minister & former Central Region representative
Abraham Kweku Edusei[13][18]February 2013 - January 2017Eastern Region
Rabiatu Deinyo Ammah[13][18][19]February 2013 - January 2017Greater Accra Region
Rasheed Sulemana Mahama[13][18]February 2013 - January 2017Tuluwewura, Northern Region
David Kanga[13][18]2013 - January 2017Upper East Region
Edward Nminyuor Gyader[13][18]2013-2017Upper West Region
Patrick Enyonam Agboba
(Togbe Sri III)[13][18]		2013 - 2017Volta Region
Okogyeman Kweku Gyamerah III[13][18]February 2013 - January 2017Sefwi Chiranohene, Western Region
Abraham Kwaku Adusei

Ex-Officio members

Position Name Term Comments
former Chief of the Defence StaffSeth Kofi Obeng[17]March 2013 - January 2017
Lt General Arnold Quainoo[7]2009-2013former member of PNDC
Major-General Edwin Sam[13]2001 - 2009
former IGPChristopher Komla Dewornu[17]March 2013 - January 2017
Peter Nanfuri[7]2009-2013
Kwaku Kyei[13]2005 - 2009
President, National House Of ChiefsTogbe Afede XIV[3]Feb 2017 - Feb 2021
Nana Osei Asibey[17]March 2013 - January 2017
John Naa Sebiyam Nabilla[7]2009-2013retired academic
Nana Otuo Siriboe Odeneho Gyapong Ababio II[13]2001 - 2009Omanhene of Sefwi-Bekwai Traditional Area

Other past members

Position Name Term Comments
Adisa Munkaila[20]Kufuor government era
Ramatu Baba[20]Nkrumah government era
Fati Jawula[20]Rawlings government era

References
  1. The Constitution of the Republic of Ghana 1992: The Council of State Archived 2013-01-15 at the Wayback Machine
  2. "Chapter 9 - The Constitution of the Republic of Ghana 1992 – The Council of State". Judicial Service of Ghana. Archived from the original on 15 January 2013. Retrieved 13 February 2013.
  3. "Be frank, get busy - Akufo-Addo tells Council of State". Ghanaweb. Ghanaweb. 28 February 2017. Retrieved 22 November 2017.
  4. "Stop the lawlessness – Council of State". Ghanaweb. Ghanaweb. 21 June 2017. Retrieved 22 November 2017.
  5. "The Constitution of the Republic of Ghana" (PDF). www.Ghana.gov. Ghana Government. Retrieved 15 February 2019.
  6. "Composition of The Council Of State". Presidency.Gov. Ghana Presidency. 24 February 2017. Archived from the original on 1 December 2017. Retrieved 22 November 2017.
  7. "Council of State". Ghanaweb. Ghanaweb. Retrieved 22 November 2017.
  8. "Council of State elects Nana Otuo Siriboe II as Chairman". CitiFMOnline. Citi97.3FM. Retrieved 22 November 2017.
  9. "President makes appointments to Council of State". Ghana Business News. 2 February 2021. Retrieved 2 February 2021.
  10. "Parliament fumes over Akufo-Addo's snub in Council State selection". www.ghanaweb.com. 2 February 2021. Retrieved 2 February 2021.
  11. "Council Of State". GhanaDistricts.com. Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development. Archived from the original on 8 May 2010. Retrieved 23 November 2017.
  12. "Mahama Swears In Members Of Council Of State". www.modernghana.com. Modern Ghana. 21 February 2013. Retrieved 31 March 2020.
  13. "COUNCIL OF STATE". ghanaweb.com. GhanaWeb. Retrieved 29 October 2018.
  14. "Ghanaweb". Ghanaweb. Retrieved 12 March 2016.
  15. "Chief of Ziope Traditional Area elected Council of State member". Ghana Home Page. 7 February 2013. Retrieved 12 February 2013.
  16. "President appoints Council of State members". General news. Ghana Home Page. Retrieved 6 March 2013.
  17. "I did not err by swearing in Council of State members - Mahama". General news. Ghana Home Page. Retrieved 6 March 2013.
  18. "President appoints Council of State members". www.ghanaweb.com. Ghana Web. 20 February 2013. Retrieved 31 March 2020.
  19. Abdul-Jalil, Yakubu (9 January 2016). "Don't allow politicians to use you to engage in violence". Graphic Online. Graphic Communications Group Ltd. Retrieved 31 March 2020.
  20. "Hawa donates to school for child education improvement". ghanaweb.com. Ghana Web. 29 November 2004. Retrieved 4 February 2020.
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