The immediate past Chief Justice, Mrs Georgina Theodora Wood who retired on June 8, 2017 has been sworn in as a member of the Council of State.

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo swore her in on Tuesday morning to help complete the 25-membership of the council which was short by one person.

Per the 1992 Constitution, the 25 Council of State should be made up of 10 elected regional representatives, the President of the National House of Chiefs and 11 appointed members by the President.

Article 89 (2)(d) of the 1992 Constitution states that out of the 11 to be appointed by the president, there should be one retired Chief Justice, a retired Inspector General of Police and a retired Chief of Defence Staff.

At the time President Akufo-Addo swore in the current council, there was no living retired Chief Justice and so Mrs Wood’s addition helps to complete the membership to fulfil the constitutional requirement.

The Council of State has a very significant role to play in the governance of the country, as it is enjoined by the 1992 Constitution (Chapter 9, Article 89) to "counsel the President in the performance of his functions".

Its advisory role is akin to what pertains in many families where there are elders to be consulted, especially when very difficult decisions have to be taken or when there is a crisis that requires wisdom to have it resolved.

Specifically, the council is to “consider and advise the President or any other authority in respect of any appointment which is required by the Constitution or any other law to be made in accordance with the advice of, or in consultation with the council”.

Below is a list of the 25 members of the council of state

10 Elected Members

1. Greater Accra: Nii Kotei Dzani, Greater Accra Region, the Chief Executive Officer of the Ideal Group of Companies

2. Ashanti: Nana Owusu Achiaw Brempong, a 63-year-old chief of Agona Akrofoso and entrepreneur

3. Western: Ms Eunice Jacqueline Buah, a 52-year-old businesswoman of Takoradi

4. Upper East: Tongo-Rana Kubilsong Nalebgtang, Paramount Chief of the Tongo Traditional Area (known in private life as Robert Nachinab D. Mosore)

5. Upper West: Kuoro Richard Babini Kanton IV, Paramount Chief of the Tumu Traditional Area

6. Eastern: Nana Somuah Mireku, a 63-year-old accountant

7. Brong Ahafo: Mr Kodwo Agyenim-Boateng, a 73-year-old retired public servant

8. Volta: Mr Francis Albert Seth Nyonyo, a 50-year-old oil and gas dealer from Anloga

9. Northern: Bo-Na Professor Yakubu S. Nantogma, a 74-year-old Chief of Bogu, near Savelugu in the Northern Region

10. Central: Obrempong Appiah Nuamah II, Omanhen of the Twifo Mampong Traditional Area.

 

Appointed members

11. Lt. General Joseph Boateng Danquah (retd), a former Chief of Defence Staff of the Ghana Armed Forces

12. Nana Owusu Nsiah, a former Inspector General of Police

13. Mr Sam Okudzeto, a former President of the Ghana Bar Association

14. Mr Stanley Nii Adjiri Blankson, a former Accra Mayor

15. Nana Otuo Siriboe II, Juabenhene

16. Nana Kofi Obiri Egyir II

17. Alberta Cudjoe

18. Alhaji Aminu Amadu.

19. Dr Margaret Amoakohene of the School of Communication Studies at University of Ghana, Legon,

20. Alhaji Sahanun Moqtar

21. Georgina Kusi (Georgia Hotel)

22. Alhaji Sule Yiremiah

23. Paa Kofi Ansong

24. Togbe Afede, Agbomefia of Asogli State and President of National House of Chiefs (ex-officio member of Council of State)

25. Mrs Georgina Theodora Wood, a retired Chief Justice