The new members are Major General Richardson Baiden (retd) and Alhaji Abubakar Abdul Rahman, who replaced Alhaji Mogtar Sahunun and Nana Obiri Egyir, both of whom have passed away.

President Akufo-Addo, who administered the oaths of Secrecy and Office, described the new members as experienced persons who could help enhance the work of the council that had proved to be effective in its functions.

According to him, “it is always better to get the benefit of two or more opinions than to rely on one view point”.

He also referred to the Ghanaian customary practice that said no matter how smart or wise a chief or leader was, there was always a group of elders around him or her to offer advice.

Significance

The President said it was in line with that practice that the framers of the Constitution found it necessary to establish a Council of State, clothed with a broad scope of advisory functions, including giving impartial and objective counsel to the President.

He said the council also played an important role in advising the President in the appointment of high officials of state, including the Chief Justice, the Governor of the Bank of Ghana, heads of the security services, among others.

Amendments

Referring to Article 90 of the Constitution, he said a President could request the council to make amendments to bills, either before they were passed or even after they had been passed by Parliament.

With Article 91 (3), he explained that the Constitution empowered the council with what looked like an unfettered remit to advise other bodies such as Parliament or any other authority and said “this is not meant to be a busy-body charter, but on matters of national importance, the council can make its views known”.

Appreciation

On behalf of his colleague, Maj. Gen. Baiden expressed appreciation to the President for the opportunity offered them to serve and pledged to give of their best for the betterment of the country.

He also expressed their preparedness to work hard and be diligent in their contributions to the work of the council.