A legal policy and governance consultant, Professor Kwasi Prempeh, has called for an immediate review of the selection process for persons who serve as members of the National Council of State.
He argued that the practice where the President appoints members to the council has rendered it ineffective.
[contextly_sidebar id=”CxfR9CVkMFXRa90lBDNHOWzDkbZEkOTb”]Professor Prempeh’s comments are aligned with existing concerns and calls for the reconstitution of the Council of State into a non-partisan discerning body to serve as a check on the Executive and Legislative arms of government.
Delivering a lecture at the inauguration of the Asante Professionals Club in Accra on Tuesday, Professor Prempeh argued that there would be no need for a Peace Council if the Council of State was effectively doing its job.
“Our Council of State, if it were really that helpful, we would not need a Peace Council to be mobilized around every election time.”
He noted that the country always mobilized a group of eminent persons to constitute a Peace Council when tensions were perceived to be high, a role he believes the Council of State can play better.
According to Professor Prempeh, “If the Council of State was properly used, if it was properly constituted, if it followed in the traditions of our council of elders, we wouldn’t need these adhoc or permanent Peace Councils.”
Professor Prempeh also called for the review of the selection process to enhance the diversity and effectiveness of the Council of State.
“If we used that body not to over represent the already over-represented elite base in Accra, but to draw on talent and inputs and insights from across the country… if we put them there, we could use that resource productively when we face crisis.”
What is the Council of State?
The Council of State 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.
The Council of State should include a former Chief Justice, a former Chief of the Defence Staff, a former Inspector General of Police and the President of the National House of Chiefs.
Each region should also have an elected representative along with the President also electing 11 members.
The members are to stay in office until the term of office of the President ends.
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By Delali Adogla-Bessa/citifmonline.com/Ghana