The constitutional mandate of the Council of State of Ghana, nugget or nugget?

Opinions on Friday, September 18, 2020

Columnist: Ephraim Armstrong Awinbugri

2020-09-18

The Ghana State Council 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.

The State Council was established by Articles 89-92 of the 1992 Ghana Constitution: “There shall be a State Council to advise the President in the performance of his duties.”

Membership

The Council of State should include a former Chief Justice of Ghana, a former Chief of Defense 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 remain in office until the end of the president’s term.

Meetings

The Council must meet four times a year. It may also meet if requested by the President of Ghana, the Parliament of Ghana, or at least five sitting members of the Council.

There must be more than half of the Council members in a meeting to form a quorum. Council decisions are valid if voted by a majority of the members present at the meeting. The Council regulates its own procedures subject to the provisions of the Constitution of Ghana.