Council of State (Ghana)

The Council of State in Ghana 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 Council of State was established by Articles 89 to 92 of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana: "There shall be a Council of State to counsel the President in the performance of his functions."^[1]

Membership

The Council of State should include a former Chief Justice of Ghana, a former Chief of the Defence 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 stay in office until the term of office of the president ends.^[2]

Current members

The current membership was sworn in by President Nana Akufo-Addo on 23 February 2021 at the Jubilee House.^[3] The vacant position reserved for former Chief Justice of Ghana was filled following the appointment of Georgina Theodora Wood following her retirement.^[4]

Meetings

The council is required to meet four times a year. It can also meet if requested by the President of Ghana, the Parliament of Ghana or by at least five sitting members of the council. There should be more than half the members of the Council at a meeting to form a quorum. Decisions of the council are valid if voted for by the majority of members present at the meeting. The Council regulates its own procedures subject to the provisions of the Ghana Constitution.^[5]

Elected members
Name	Term	Comments
Yaw Basoa[6]	Feb 2021–present	Ahafo Region. First person to represent the Region.
Nana Owusu Achiaw Brempong[7][8]	Feb 2017–present	Ashanti Region
Kwadwo Agyenim Boateng[7][9]	Feb 2017–present	Bono Region. He represented Brong Ahafo Region from 2017 until the region got divided into 3 regions.
Vacant		Bono East region. A court injunction has delayed this seat being occupied.[9]
Emmanuel Baidoo (Odeefuo Afankwa III)[10]	Feb 2021–present	Central Region
Paa Kofi Ansong[9]	Feb 2021–present	Eastern Region
E. T. Mensah[11]	Feb 2021–present	Greater Accra Region
Azumah Namoro Sanda[9]	Feb 2021–present	North East Region. First person to represent the Region.
Mahamoud Tahiru (Zung Lana)[12]	Feb 2021–present	Northern Region
Richard Kings Atikpo[9]	Feb 2021–present	Oti Region. First person to represent the Region.
Adam Zakariah[13]	Feb 2021–present	Savannah Region. First person to represent the Region.
Tong-Raan Kugbilsong Nalebegtang[14]	Feb 2021–present	Upper East Region
Daniel Anlieu-Mwine Bagah[9]	Feb 2021–present	Upper West Region
Francis Albert Seth Nyonyo[7]	Feb 2017–present	Volta Region
Vacant		Western Region. There was a tie for this position in the election.[9]
Katakyie Kwasi Bumagama II[9]	Feb 2021–present	Western North Region. First person to represent the Region.
Appointed members
Nana Otuo Siriboe II[15][16]	Feb 2017–present (also 2005 - 2009)	Paramount Chief of Asante-Juaben Traditional Area Former Lecturer at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology Elected chairman by the council in 2017 and re-elected in 2021[17][18]
Sam Okudzeto[15]	Feb 2017–present	former president of the Ghana Bar Association
Stanley Nii Adjiri Blankson[15]	Feb 2017–present	former mayor of Accra
Mrs. Alberta Cudjoe[15]	Feb 2017–present
Alhaji Aminu Amadu[15]	Feb 2017–present
Margaret Amoakohene[15]	Feb 2017–present	School of Communication Studies, University of Ghana, Legon;
Mrs. Georgina Kusi[15]	Feb 2017–present
Alhaji Sule Yiremiah[15]	Feb 2017–present
Justice Ofei Akrofi[19][20]	Feb 2021–present	Anglican Archbishop
Ato Essuman[19][20]	Feb 2021–present
Kuoro Richard Babini Kanton VI[19][20]	Feb 2017–present	Tumu Kuoro and elected member for Upper West Region from 2017, appointed by Nana Akufo-Addo from Feb 2021
Ex-Officio Members
General J.B. Danquah[7]	Feb 2017–present	former Chief of the Defence Staff
Nana Owusu-Nsiah[7]	Feb 2017–present	former Inspector General of Police
Georgina Theodora Wood[4]	June 2017 – present	former Chief Justice of Ghana

Past members of the Council of State

Elected members
Region	Name	Term	Comments
Ashanti Region	Nana Asiama Poku Afrifa[21][22]	2009 - Jan 2017
	Benjamin Asonaba Dapaah[23]	2001 - Jan 2009	Transport Owner
Brong Ahafo Region	Nana Saa Gyamfuaa II[22]	Feb 2013 - Jan 2017
	J. H. Owusu-Acheampong[21]	2009 - Jan 2013	former Regional Minister, Provisional National Defence Council
	Michael Kwadwo Adusah[23]	2005 - Jan 2009	Retired Assistant Commissioner of Police
Central Region	Obrempong Appiah Nuamah II[7]	Feb 2017–Feb 2021
	Percival Alfred Kuranchie[22]	Feb 2013 - Jan 2017
	Ato Essuman[21][16]	2005 - Jan 2013	Management consultant
Eastern Region	Nana Somuah Mireku- Nyampong[7]	Feb 2017 – Jan 2021
	Nana Kodua Kesse II[22]	Feb 2013 – Jan 2017
	Osabarima Owusu Gyamadu III[21]	2009 – Jan 2013
	Fredrick Guggisberg Yaw Ofori-Atta[23]	2005 - Jan 2009	Industrial Relations Practitioner
Greater Accra Region	Nii Kotei Dzani[7]	Feb 2017 – Feb 2021
	Emmanuel Adzei-Anang[22]	2009 - Jan 2017
	John Sackah Addo[23]	2005 - Jan 2009	Former governor of the Bank of Ghana
Northern Region	Bo-Na Professor Yakubu S. Nantogma [7]	Feb 2017 - Feb 2021
	Vo-Naa Bawah Mohammed Baba[22]	2009 - Jan 2017
	Naa Sebiyam Nabila[23]	2005 - Jan 2009
Upper East Region	The Rt. Rev. Dr Jacob Kofi Ayeebo[22]	Feb 2009[24] - Jan 2017
	Francis Asianab Afoko[23]	2005 - Jan 2009	Businessman
Upper West Region	Richard Babini Kanton IV[7]	Feb 2017–Jan 2021
	Guli-Naa Seidu Bhat Braimah[22]	Feb 2009 - Jan 2017	Former District Chief Executive for Wa Municipal (Longest Serving DCE). (Chief of Guli Traditional area)
	Naa Seidu Braimah	2009 - Jan 2013
	Kuoro Kuri-Buktie Limann IV[23]	2005 - Jan 2009	Paramount Chief of Gwollu Traditional Area
Volta Region	Togbui Binah Lawluvi VI[25][22]	2013 - Jan 2017	Paramount Chief of Ziope Traditional area Lawyer and lecturer at Ho Polytechnic President of Volta Regional Chapter of Association of Rural Banks
	Bernard Kwasi Glover	2009 - Jan 2013
	Togbe Kpangbatriku III[23]	2005 - Jan 2009	Paramount Chief of Dodome Traditional Area
Western Region	Eunice Jacqueline Buah[7] [26]	Feb 2017–Jan 2021	Owner of Labianca Company
	George Kofi Dadzie[22]	2009 - Jan 2017
	Paul Kwabena Damoah[23]	2005 - Jan 2009	Agriculturist
Appointed members
Appointing President	Name	Term	Comments
Nana Akufo-Addo	Paa Kofi Ansong[15]	Feb 2017 - Feb 2021[19][20]
	Nana Kofi Obiri Egyir II[15]	Feb 2017 - Feb 2021[19][20]	Sanaa Lodge
	Alhaji Sahanun Moqtar[15]	Feb 2017 – Feb 2021[19][20]
John Kufuor	Naa Thomas Tia Sulemana[23]	2005 - Jan 2009	Zosali-Na
	Nana Ogyeabuor Akompi Finam II	2001 - Jan 2004
	Naa Abayifa Karbo II[23]	2001-2004
	Kofi Amanor Ansah[23]	2001-2004
	Nana Prah Agyensaim[23]	2001-2004
	Nana Otuo Siribour II[23]	2005- Jan 2009	Paramount Chief of Asante-Juaben Traditional Area and former lecturer at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology
	Fred Ofori-Atta Asante	2001-2004
	Albert Adu-Boahen[23]	2001-2004	Retired University of Ghana lecturer
	Emma Mitchell[23]	2001-2004
	Alhaji Alhassan Bin-Salih[23]	2001 - Jan 2009
	Clement Kubindiwor Tedam[23]	2001 - Jan 2009	former Minister of Local Government, (SMC) and Educationist
	Anthony K. Deku[23]	2001 - Jan 2009	Former Commissioner of Police (CID)
	Kwesi Armah[23]	2001 - Jan 2009	Former High Commissioner to the United Kingdom and a Barrister-at-Law
	Samuel Asante-Antwi[23]	2005 - Jan 2009	Immediate-Past Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church of Ghana
	Daniel Adzei Bekoe[23]	2001 - Jan 2009	Former Vice Chancellor of the University of Ghana
	Alexander Kwapong	2001 - 2004	former Vice Chancellor of the University of Ghana
	Ama Busia[23]	2001 - Jan 2009	a former Principal Domestic Bursar, University of Ghana
	Gifty Afenyi-Dadzie[23]	2005- Jan 2009	Past President of the Ghana Journalists Association and a member of the Media Commission
	Cecilia Bannerman	2005- Jan 2009	Former Minister of Mines
John Atta Mills	Mrs Victoria Addy[16]	2009 - Jan 2013
	Hajia Hajara Musah Ali[16]	2009 - Jan 2013
	Mrs Cecilia Johnson[16]	2009 – Jan 2013	former Minister for Local Government and Rural Development
	George Akilagpa Sawyerr[16]	2009 - Jan 2013	Former Vice Chancellor of the University of Ghana
	Alhaji Mahama Iddrisu[16]	2009 - Jan 2013	former member of PNDC and Defence Minister
	Nana Akuoko Sarpong[16]	2009 - Jan 2013	former Secretary for Chieftaincy Affairs
	Otumfuor Baidoo Bonso XV[16]	2009 - Jan 2013
	Daasebre Kwebu Ewusi[16]	2009 - Jan 2013
	Nii Amoo Darku[16]	2009 - Jan 2013
	Asoma Abu Banda[16]	2009 - Jan 2013
	Kofi Awoonor[16]	2009 - Jan 2013	Chairman, former Permanent Representative to the United Nations and retired University lecturer
John Mahama	John Henry Martey Newman	Feb 2013 - Jan 2017	Former Chairman of the Council[27] former Chief of Staff under the late President John Mills
	Nana Osei Asibey[28][29]	Feb 2013 - Jan 2017	Dabosohene, Ashanti Region
	Cecilia Johnson[16][29]	Feb 2013 - Jan 2017	former Minister for Local Government and Rural Development, Brong-Ahafo Region
	Ama Benyiwa Doe[16][29]	Feb 2013 - Jan 2017	former Central Regional Minister & former Central Region representative
	Abraham Kweku Edusei[23][29]	Feb 2013 - Jan 2017	Eastern Region
	Rabiatu Deinyo Ammah[23][29][30]	Feb 2013 - Jan 2017	Greater Accra Region
	Rasheed Sulemana Mahama[23][29]	Feb 2013 - Jan 2017	Tuluwewura, Northern Region
	David Kanga[23][29]	2013 - Jan 2017	Upper East Region
	Edward Nminyuor Gyader[23][29]	2013- Jan 2017	Upper West Region
	Patrick Enyonam Agboba (Togbe Sri III)[23][29]	2013 - Jan 2017	Volta Region
	Okogyeman Kweku Gyamerah III[23][29]	February 2013 - Jan 2017	Sefwi Chiranohene, Western Region
	Abraham Kwaku Adusei
Ex-Officio members
Position	Name	Term	Comments
former Chief of the Defence Staff	Seth Kofi Obeng[28]	March 2013 - Jan 2017
	Lt General Arnold Quainoo[16]	2009-Jan 2013	former member of PNDC
	Major-General Edwin Sam[23]	2001 - Jan 2009
former IGP	Christopher Komla Dewornu[28]	March 2013 - January 2017
	Peter Nanfuri[16]	2009-Jan 2013
	Kwaku Kyei[23]	2005 - Jan 2009
President, National House Of Chiefs	Togbe Afede XIV[7]	Feb 2017 - Feb 2021
	Nana Osei Asibey[28]	March 2013 - Jan 2017
	John Naa Sebiyam Nabilla[16]	2009-Jan 2013	retired academic
	Nana Otuo Siriboe Odeneho Gyapong Ababio II[23]	2001 - Jan 2009	Omanhene of Sefwi-Bekwai Traditional Area
Other past members
Position	Name	Term	Comments
	Mumuni Bawumia[31]	1992 - 2000	former Chairman of the Council of State
	Adisa Munkaila[32]		Kufuor government era
	Fati Jawula[32]		Rawlings government era
	Ramatu Baba[32]		Nkrumah government era

References

1. The Constitution of the Republic of Ghana 1992: The Council of State Archived 2013-01-15 at the Wayback Machine
2. "Chapter 9 - The Constitution of the Republic of Ghana 1992 – The Council of State". Judicial Service of Ghana. Archived from the original on 15 January 2013. Retrieved 13 February 2013.
3. "Akufo-Addo-Bagbin 'tussle' imminent over Council of State appointees". 3News. Retrieved 23 February 2021.
4. "Stop the lawlessness – Council of State". Ghanaweb. 21 June 2017. Retrieved 22 November 2017.
5. "The Constitution of the Republic of Ghana" (PDF). Ghana Government. Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 January 2019. Retrieved 15 February 2019.
6. Adu Gyamerah, Emmanuel (12 February 2021). "Ahafo region: Yaw Basoa wins Council of State election". Graphic Online. Retrieved 13 February 2021.
7. "Be frank, get busy - Akufo-Addo tells Council of State". Ghanaweb. 28 February 2017. Retrieved 22 November 2017.
8. Kenu, Daniel (12 February 2021). "Nana Brempong retained as Ashanti regional rep on Council of State". Graphic Online. Retrieved 12 February 2021.
9. "Here are the elected Council of State members for Akufo-Addo's second term". GhanaWeb. 13 February 2021. Retrieved 19 February 2021.
10. "Breman Essiam Chief elected Central Regional Council of State representative". GhanaWeb. 12 February 2021. Retrieved 13 February 2021.
11. Bonney, Emmanuel (12 February 2021). "Greater Accra: E.T. Mensah gets 100 percent endorsement on Council of State". Graphic Online. Retrieved 13 February 2021.
12. Zurek, Kwaku (12 February 2021). "Zung Lana elected Northern region Council of State rep". Graphic Online. Retrieved 13 February 2021.
13. "Council of State elections: Adam Zakariah wins Savanna slot". GhanaWeb. 12 February 2021. Retrieved 13 February 2021.
14. "Tong-Raan retains Council of State seat in Upper East". GhanaWeb. 12 February 2021. Retrieved 13 February 2021.
15. "Composition of The Council Of State". Ghana Presidency. 24 February 2017. Archived from the original on 1 December 2017. Retrieved 22 November 2017.
16. "Council of State". Ghanaweb. Ghanaweb. Retrieved 22 November 2017.
17. "Council of State elects Nana Otuo Siriboe II as Chairman". CitiFMOnline. Citi97.3FM. Retrieved 22 November 2017.
18. "Juaben Omanhene re-elected Council of State Chairman". 3News. Retrieved 24 February 2021.
19. "President makes appointments to Council of State". Ghana Business News. 2 February 2021. Retrieved 2 February 2021.
20. "Parliament fumes over Akufo-Addo's snub in Council State selection". GhanaWeb. 2 February 2021. Retrieved 2 February 2021.
21. "Council Of State". GhanaDistricts. Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development. Archived from the original on 8 May 2010. Retrieved 23 November 2017.
22. "Mahama Swears In Members Of Council Of State". Modern Ghana. 21 February 2013. Retrieved 31 March 2020.
23. "COUNCIL OF STATE". GhanaWeb. Retrieved 29 October 2018.
24. "Ghanaweb". Ghanaweb. Retrieved 12 March 2016.
25. "Chief of Ziope Traditional Area elected Council of State member". Ghana Home Page. 7 February 2013. Retrieved 12 February 2013.
26. Leticia, Osei. "Council of State member and La Bianca owner Asomah-Hinneh reported dead". citinewsroom. Citinewsroom. Retrieved 11 June 2024.
27. "President appoints Council of State members". General news. Ghana Home Page. Retrieved 6 March 2013.
28. "I did not err by swearing in Council of State members - Mahama". General news. Ghana Home Page. Retrieved 6 March 2013.
29. "President appoints Council of State members". Ghana Web. 20 Feb 2013. Retrieved 31 Mar 2020.
30. Abdul-Jalil, Yakubu (9 Jan 2016). "Don't allow politicians to use you to engage in violence". Graphic Online. Retrieved 31 Mar 2020.
31. "Mahamudu Bawumia, Biography". GhanaWeb. Retrieved 5 November 2023.
32. "Hawa donates to school for child education improvement". Ghana Web. 29 November 2004. Retrieved 4 February 2020.

External links

• Ghana Districts: The Council of State
• GhanaWeb: The Council of State
• List of members at beginning of Akuffo Addo government - graphic.com.gh