According to Mr. Darko , the Council could do more than just advising the President on his decisions and programmes.

[contextly_sidebar id=”uAbwL1mxGmZL9ysBJJGGGuDXQ47hUZxq”]The country’s constitution empowers the Council to advise the President in the discharge of his functions, but does not oblige the president to accept their advice.

Article 91 of the constitution states that “the Council of State shall consider and advise the President or any other authority in respect of any appointment which is required by this Constitution or any other law to be made in accordance with the advice of, or in consultation with, the Council of State.”

The Council of State may also contribute to content of Bills and programmes before Parliament and any state agency, the Constitution in Article 91(3) has said.

Speaking to Citi News, Nii Amu Darko sided with calls for the Council to be given more powers , saying “I do agree that the Council of State should be given more powers but as to whether or not it will be given the power to become a second chamber, it is meant for the people of Ghana to decide.”

Mr. Amu Darko’s call comes barely a day after former President Kufuor made a strong case for the institution of the Council of State.

The Council came under heavy criticisms when the emoluments of its members was increased in accordance with a review committee’s recommendations.

But speaking at a forum organised by the Friedrich-Ebert Stiftung Foundation in Accra on Wednesday, the former President argued that the wisdom of Council is indispensable, hence deserve to be treated with respect.

“Left to me, the Council of State should be turned into the second house,” the former President further suggested.

The Legal Committee of the current council is already in talks with Parliament to find a way to make the two bodies work together.

The Council of State in a bid to activate unexercised powers captured in the 1992 Constitution, has already initiated talks with the leadership of Parliament in that regard.

President Akufo-Addo has said he has no reservations about calls by the Council for more powers.

He has however urged its members to exercise the powers in a “responsible manner.”

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By: Marian Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Give Council of State more powers- Former Member appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

This comes about two weeks after the President announced her appointment to the Council through a letter to the Speaker of Parliament, Prof. Aaron Mike Oquaye.

Speaking at the swearing in, Nana Akufo-Addo said the former Chief Justice has a rich vein of information and experience to help him in the administration of the country.

He said he was confident that Georgina Wood will “do a good job” for the country.

In her address, Georgina Wood expressed her appreciation to the president for the honour, and pledged her loyalty to Ghanaians and the constitution.

“I do recognize that largely, the constitutional role of the Council of State is consultative and advisory, but I do also recognize the crucial importance it plays in the governance of this nation and having listened to you a number of times spell out your vision and the goals that you have for this country, job creation, improving the economy, job creation and fight against corruption and impunity, all which are meant to enhance the lives of the good people of Ghana, Mr. President you can count on my loyalty to the people of Ghana and to the constitution,” she said.

Following her swearing in, Georgina Wood joins the Juabenhene Nana Otuo Siriboe II, Sam Okudzeto, Nana Kofi Obiri Egyir II, Stanley Adjiri Blankson, Mrs Alberta Cudjoe, Alhaji Aminu Amadu, Dr. Margaret Amoakohene, Alhaji Sahanun Moqtar, Mrs. Georgina Kusi, Alhaji Sule Yiremiah, and Mr. Paa Kofi Ansong who are all members of the council.

Other members are Lt. General J.B. Danquah, a former Chief of Defence Staff of the Ghana Armed Forces, and Nana Owusu Nsiah, a former Inspector General of Police.

The President of the National House of Chiefs, Togbe Afede XIV, is also an ex-officio member of the Council in furtherance of Article 89(2) (b).

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By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Georgina Wood officially joins Council of State appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

This follows her retirement by close of Thursday, June 8, 2017.

[contextly_sidebar id=”l5SjSaE9YtzYkUfzOqktgFGedXggjech”]Her appointment was announced in Parliament on Thursday by the Speaker, Professor Mike Aaron Oquaye.

President Akufo-Addo had earlier sworn-in 24 members of the Council of State, leaving one last seat which per Ghana’s 1992 Constitution, was supposed to be occupied by “one person who has previously held the office of Chief Justice” pursuant to approval of Parliament.

The president’s nomination notice read by the Speaker explained that, as at the time the 24 were being sworn-in, there was no living former Chief Justice.

“I could not make that appointment as there was no living former Chief Justice…From 8^th June 2017, the Chief Justice, Her Ladyship Georgina Theodora Wood, will retire from the bench. She has concerted to be nominated for membership of the Council of State if the consultation with Parliament is successful. I therefore nominated her to fill the last remaining vacant seat on the Council of State.”

The President further urged Parliament to quickly proceed with processes involved with the approval “to enable her [Georgina Wood] take her place on the Council as soon as possible.”

NDC nearly forced me to resign under Mills

Georgina Theodora Wood, earlier revealed how she endured heated calls on her to resign during the late President John Evans Atta Mills’ administration.

Speaking at a thanksgiving Service to celebrate her 70th birthday, at the Ringway Assemblies of God church in Accra, Georgina Wood said for the support and encouragement of Justice Jones Dotse, a Justice of the Supreme Court, she would have resigned.

“…Can you imagine; a full vessel, an array of the men and women who matter at the time with the press in full array asking you to resign,” she said, adding that a message she received on her phone also comforted her hence her decision to carry on.

“Each single one of you added value to my life. You’re the people who gave me hope and helped us to succeed… that is why I don’t forget Justice Dotse. He has stood by me and has received some of the beatings through no fault of his, except he was helping to do God’s work… It will be difficult on my part that as soon as I exit I forget; I will not. I pray that all the good plans he (Dotse) has God helps him to realize,” she added.

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By: Godwin Akweiteh Allotey & Duke Mensah Opoku/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @AlloteyGodwin

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Members of the Council of State commenced a tour of illegal mining areas in the Eastern Region on Friday. The tour will also take them to the Ashanti and Western Regions.

The tour is to get members of the Council well informed on the devastating effects of illegal mining so as to influence the appropriate recommendations to the President.

Addressing journalists after touring some of these mining sites, the Chairman of the council, Nana Otuo Serebour, expressed disappointment at the level of devastation caused by illegal miners. #

He stated, ” We are devastated, it is so bad, its terrible. The English man will say it cataclysmic. It means it’s beyond this world. It is terrible. We are going to take a look at the the totality of the mining environment. The enabling laws, the supervisory and the regularity bodies and their roles and responsibilities, to come up the appropriate recommendation.

Nana Otuo Serebour added, “we are really appalled at the way our system has made this possible. A whole lot of failures, in terms of the regulatory bodies, the licencing authorities, the supervising authorities, the security aspect, the monitoring and evaluation of the operation. The laws are there to be obeyed. Even if you’re farming you have to go by the regulated farming practices, and they are not observing those practices and that has aggravated the situation. This is really very bad.”

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By: Kojo Agyeman/citifmonline.com/Ghana.

The post Council of State backs review of small scale mining laws appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The Council, seeks to assess at first hand the level of the devastation in these areas. The tour will commence from the Eastern Region through to Ashanti and Western.

[contextly_sidebar id=”sVoRkUC6xj47SAj59xnr1X1S2BHnp1ms”]The Council is expected to present a report on the situation and advise the President on what actions to take to address the matter after the tour.

Government and stakeholders including the Minerals Commission, have been challenged to work to address the menace of illegal small-scale mining which has left severe consequences on the environment.

Many communities in about 6 regions of the country are currently suffering the effects of the menace. Most of Ghana’s fresh water bodies have become poisonous with thousands of acres of fertile farmlands destroyed as a result of the menace.

Although Ghana’s laws are clear on illegal mining, the activity has been allowed to continue for more than two decades.

Citi FM has been at the forefront of media advocacy and crusade for action against the illegal activity. The station among other things petitioned Parliament to act to stop the menace.

The efforts have yielded some positive results including a moratorium on the issuance of new licenses for small-scale mining.

The fight against the menace received a major boost this week following the launch of a project implementation manual.

The manual spells out the actions to be undertaken to deal with the challenge and transform illegal mining activities into vibrant medium-scale businesses in the long run.

Developed by the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, the manual has timelines, actions and costs, and supports the Multilateral Mining Integrated Project (MMIP).

It focuses on law enforcement, the deployment of technology, the involvement of communities among other actions, in dealing with galamsey.

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By: Sammi Wiafe & Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Council of State begins tour of galamsey areas today appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

According to the Council, such comments were misplaced as most of its previous members had accomplished laurels in public and private sectors and were thus not motivated by monetary gains to serve.

[contextly_sidebar id=”U5I69BB16rcNYETTDt9kHVlLOXsKfSjo”]In a statement, the Council said “to many, service to mother Ghana, and generations to come, has been the motivation rather than the alleged benefits always trumpeted in the media.”

It further said the CDD should have known better, given that it was privy to Council of State reports and consultation with previous Councils on election-related issues.

“Although, the public could plead ignorance of Council’s activities, the CDD, among many others could not comfortably claim same. This is because the Council, despite the Constitutional provision of holding meetings in-camera has since 2002 published reports that have been widely circulated to both Government and Non-Governmental institutions including foreign embassies, educational institutions, libraries etc.”

“It is, therefore perplexing to observe from the publication that a reputable institution such as the CDD could not better analyse such document to know the actual conditions of service of sitting Council Of State members but to follow the wagon of generalization.”

The Council of State thus cautioned that “adopting the posture of ‘accuse and get a defence’ should not be encouraged as the 7th Council of State aims at ensuring wider consultation in its work which we believe has been the practice with past Councils of State.”

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By: Delali Adogla-Bessa/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Council of State blasts CDD, others for ‘criticizing’ Ghc13, 000 salary appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

He was chosen unanimously at the maiden meeting of the Council after the President swore in members on Monday.

A communiqué announcing the decision of the Council indicated that “the newly inaugurated seventh Council of State under the 4th Republic has duly elected a Chairman in the person of Nana Otuo Siriboe II Omanhene of Asante Juaben II was unanimous taking into account his vast experience across the years in the fields of business, governance and chieftaincy and the fact that he had previously served as a member of the Council of State for two terms.

[contextly_sidebar id=”NNedGkLAVupLdU0qOJ13Li5fDr5dlZBF”]”From 2001 to 2009, Nana has served Ghana, the Ashanti Kingdom, and the Juaben stool in various capacities for over 46 years,” the communique added.

The appointment follows the swearing in of members of the Council of State which came with a call from President Nana Akufo Addo for the Council not to sign his praises but criticize his decisions fairly.

Swearing them in at the Flagstaff House on Monday, the President said he is hopeful the advice from the Council will propel Ghana to greater heights.

“It is important therefore that regardless of whatever your background, you will discharge your duties dispassionately. This means that the council has a great responsibility. It will be easy to fall into the well-known temptation of telling the president what you think he wants to hear.”

“It will be equally tempting to tell the president he is the best thing that ever happened to Ghana, and it will be even more tempting to tell the president to ignore his critics. I expect this council will not walk this road,” he said.

The President further charged the Council to discharge its duties without fear or favour.

“I look forward very much to working with the council that will offer me straight forward advice based on unvarnished truth. I’m looking forward to working with a council that will help all of us deepen our democracy and I’m looking forwarding to working with the council that will help us deliver a prosperous Ghana. Such council should not give advice to a president, the effect of which is to undermine the independence of any of the other arms of government especially the judiciary,” he added.

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By: Marian Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @EfeAnsah

The post Council of State elects Nana Otuo Siriboe II as Chairman appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The 10 regional representatives were elected last week, in addition to the 14 appointed members, to advise the President on key national issues.

Swearing them in at the Flagstaff House today [Monday], the President said he is hopeful the advice from the Council will propel Ghana to greater heights.

[contextly_sidebar id=”czsQi1WqzMeaoF2YWZ36AvBq5vI42Hvs”]“It is important therefore that regardless of whatever your background, you will discharge your duties dispassionately. This means that the council has a great responsibility. It will be easy to fall into the well-known temptation of telling the president what you think he wants to hear.”

“It will be equally tempting to tell the president he is the best thing that ever happened to Ghana, and it will be even more tempting to tell the president to ignore his critics. I expect this council will not walk this road,” he said.

The president further charged the Council to discharge its duties without fear or favour.

“I look forward very much to working with the council that will offer me straight forward advice based on unvarnished truth. I’m looking forward to working with a council that will help all of us deepen our democracy and I’m looking forwarding to working with the council that will help us deliver a prosperous Ghana. Such council should not give advice to a president, the effect of which is to undermine the independence of any of the other arms of government especially the judiciary,” he added.

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By: Godwin A. Allotey & Eugenia Tenkorang/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @AlloteyGodwin

The post ‘Tell me when I go wrong’ – Nana Addo to Council of State appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The nominees are a former IGP, Nana Owusu Nsiah and Former Chief of Defence Staff, General JB Danquah.

[contextly_sidebar id=”7bYm4ogyBxluakHYCLh78CRJBM8oEAgC”]The Constitution requires the President to consult Parliament in the appointment of a former IGP, a former Chief of Defense Staff and a former Chief Justice onto the Council.

Announcing the decision of the House on Friday, Speaker of Parliament, Prof Mike Oquaye, said : “After consultations, I was informed that the house has no objection in line with the request made to us to adjust the consultative position, and for that matter, we shall communicate with the President accordingly.”

Elections for the various regional representatives of the Council of State also took place on Friday, with a total of 113 candidates between the ages of 23 and 84, contesting in the election, which took place in all regional capitals across the country.

The elected regional representatives are:

Eunice Jacqueline Buah, Western Region

Kwadwo Agyenim Boateng, Brong Ahafo Region

Yakubu S. Nantogmah, Northern Region

Agona Akrofosohene Nana Owusu Achiaw, Ashanti Region

Richard Babini Kanton IV, Upper West Region

Dr. Nii Kotei Dzani, Greater Accra Region

Robert D. Mosore, Upper East Region

Obrempong Appiah Nuamah II, Central Region

Francis Albert Seth Nyonyo, Volta Region

Nana Somuah Mireku- Nyampong, Eastern Region

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By: Marian Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Parliament approves 2 other nominees for Council of State position appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Some civil society groups have questioned the relevance of the Council over its apparent insignificant role in the country’s governance structure, following recent developments, and have thus called for it to be scrapped.

[contextly_sidebar id=”JGaa27QgG13l6RtdNMpX6RJqVGOFVzR3″]But the centre believes the council is still relevant and their functions must be strengthened by Parliament to influence the President on key national decisions.

Regional representatives for the Council of State were elected on Thursday [17th February, 2017], but some persons have questioned their relevance especially after allegations of vote buying during the election.

The Deputy Executive Director of the Center, Gladys Gillan Tetteh in an interview with Citi News, also called for an expansion of the Electoral College as a way to prevent vote-buying.

“We all know currently what is happening with respect to the council of state. It lacks credibility because a lot of Ghanaians believe that it does not influence the central government in its operations. People think that they have outlived their usefulness but we have a different opinion. They are still relevant. We only need to come up with certain laws to ensure that their operations are relevant to the current state. Parliament can come up with laws to allow them to have more powers in terms of their decision being binding on the president.”

She added that, the current law allows the President to ignore the advice of the Council at his will, and that was not beneficial to Ghanaians.

“I also believe that we need to expand the electoral college to allow all assembly members to vote. Currently, there is this impression that people are paying money for people to vote for them. For us, this is not good enough so we expand the electoral college, and the vote buying issues will be addressed.”

‘Council of State useless’

Meanwhile, the President of policy think tank, IMANI Africa, Franklin Cudjoe, has described as needless the role of the Council of State in the country.

Speaking on Citi FM‘s news analysis program, The Big Issue, he said, “I don’t subscribe to a council of state, I think it is needless,”.

He said although he does not seek to bastardize institutions set up by the constitution, several precedents had shown that the Council of State is usually sidelined by presidents during decision-making time.

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By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @jnyabor

The post Make Council of State decisions binding on President – CLGA appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.