A former Chairman of the Electoral Commission (EC), Dr. Kwadwo Afari-Gyan, has bemoaned the ineffectiveness of the Council of State under the current leadership of President Akufo-Addo.
Describing the Council as a “powerless” and “ineffective institution,” Dr. Afari-Gyan emphasised the need for the Council to assert its authority for the benefit of the Ghanaian people.
He highlighted the unique role of the Council of State as the sole body empowered to advise all public institutions, including the president.
However, speaking at the Constitution Day Public Lecture on Monday, January 8, he pointed out that the Council currently lacks influence, raising significant worries.
In addressing this issue, Dr. Afari-Gyan proposed that the Council should actively assert its authority to fulfill its advisory role effectively.
“We will all agree that the Council of State has an imposing name but the way it has so far gone about its work has made it look like an anorexic institution without power yet apart from the president, the Council has power to advise every public institution in Ghana.”
“Based on my own experience at the Electoral Commission, I can say that the Council takes briefings from public institutions and gives them advice.”
Additionally, he suggested that the Council should regularly release comprehensive reports detailing its activities during specific periods.
This, he believes, would allow the public to assess the impact and contribution of the Council to the governance of the nation.
“I think it will help the public gauge the council’s impact if, periodically, it issues a report indicating what advice it has given to which institution.”
“In the Council’s relationship with the president, there is one thing in particular that requires clarification. The president appoints some people in consultation with the Council and some on the advice of the Council. What is the difference? Some lawyers say there is no difference at all, and that the president can do as he pleases in both instances.”
“But others say that unlike consultation and the case of advice, the president cannot appoint unless he is so advised. If that is indeed the case, it must be made explicit in any amendment to the constitution so that the president cannot ignore the advice of the Council,” Dr. Afari-Gyan added.
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