The Chairperson of the Constitutional Review Committee, Prof. Henry Kwasi Prempeh, has revealed that preliminary findings from the committee show significant public support for abolishing the Council of State.
Speaking at an event organised by the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, Prof. Prempeh noted that many Ghanaians question the relevance of the Council, citing its vague mandate, limited public understanding of its function, and the frequent disregard of its advice by the Executive.
“There is the view that if we must have a Council of State, then it must at least be in a position to resolve very high-level issues when it comes to peace and conflict resolution. There is a search for a better purpose of the Council of State.
“If we were to reconstitute in terms of membership, how are we going to do it. Also, the sense that it is dominated by hand-picked appointees of the president, which doesn’t make any difference. The president can always keep his own council, he has his cabinet, so there is no point in paying attention to the Council of State.
“So, if we were to find a good purpose, how might we also reconstitute it in terms of membership, so that we push back the abolitionist sentiment, because that is quite a widespread sentiment, which surprises me actually. But a lot of people want the Council of State to disappear.”
However, during the swearing-in of the 31-member Council of State on February 18, 2025, Council Chairman and former Speaker of Parliament, Edward Doe Adjaho, dismissed calls for its abolition. He emphasized the Council’s commitment to playing a vital role in national development.
“It is true that many have questioned the relevance of the Council of State, some have even called for its abolition.
“But we want to assure you that this Council of State will be a Council of difference. Mr President, you can count on us day and night, we shall respond,” he affirmed.
Source: CNR
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