Majority Leader in Parliament Alban Bagbin has expressed concerns about the constitution of the Council of State, and said the current situation only renders the members as mere “errand boys” for the president.
According to him the council is only ceremonial and under the thumb of the President.
The Council is constitutionally mandated to advice the President in the performance of his functions.
But speaking in an exclusive interview with Citi News the Nadowli-Kaleo MP doubted the members are doing their work properly.
“I don’t support the current Council of State as presently structured and constituted, because its just an appendage of the executive arm, you will see often the members of the council of state acting as representative of the president at various functions,” he lamented.
He added, “And so u are behaving like errand boys of the president, in fact you are performing some of the roles of the ministers of state, in that position how advisory can that council be again to the same person who is using you as an errand boy.”
The leader of parliament is therefore calling for the council of state to be converted into a second legislative chamber to give binding advice to the executive and oversee the work of parliament.
He added that the Council of State can play a more meaningful role if it is made a second house.
Recently, former President John Agyekum Kufuor also advocated for the reconstitution of the Council of State into an Upper House of Parliament to serve as an effective check on both the Executive and Lower House.
He said “as at now, the Council of State has been an advisory body to the Executive.”
Below are the current members of the Council of State :
Mrs. Cecilia Johnson, Presidential Appointee
Mr. Henry Martey Newman, Presidential Appointee
Okogyeman Kwaku Gyamprah, Presidential Appointee
Tutulewura Rashid Sulemana Mahama, Presidential Appointee
Awoamefia of Anlo, Togbe Sri III, Presidential Appointee
Nana Baffuor Osei Asibey II, Debuosehene, Presidential Appointee
Mr. David Adeenze Kanga, Presidential Appointee
Mrs. Ama Benyiwa-Doe, Presidential Appointee
Sir. Dr. Edward Nminyour Gyader, Presidential Appointee
Opanyin Pastor Abraham Kwaku Adusei, Presidential Appointee
Dr. Rabiatu Deinyo Ammah, Presidential Appointee
Mr. George Kofi Dadzie, Representing the Western Region
Dr. Percival Afred Kuranchie, Representing the Central Region
Mr. Emmanuel Adzei Anang, Representing the Greater Accra Region
Torgbui Binah Lawluvi VI, Representing the Volta Region
Nana Kodua Kesse II, Representing the Eastern Region
Vo-Naa Alhaji Baba Muhammed Bawah, Representing the Northern Region
Rt. Rev. Dr. Jacob Kofi Ayeebo, Representing the Upper East Region
Nana Saa Gyamfuaa II, Representing the Brong Ahafo Region
Nana Asiama Poku Afrifa II, Representing the Ashanti Region
Alhaji Seidu Bhat Braimah, Representing the Upper West Region
Wulugunana Naa Professor John S. Nabila, President of the National House Chiefs
Christopher Kobla Dewornu, Former Inspector General of Police
Lt. General Seth Kofi Obeng (Rtd.), Former Chief of Defence Staff
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By: Raymond Acquah/citifmonline.com/Ghana