Former Speaker of Parliament, Edward Doe Adjaho, has been named Chairman of the newly constituted Council of State, tasked with advising President John Dramani Mahama on critical national matters.
The Council, comprising 16 elected regional representatives and 11 presidential appointees, was officially sworn in on Tuesday night at the Jubilee House.
Administering the Oath of Membership and the Oath of Secrecy, President Mahama emphasized the Council’s constitutional duty to provide objective counsel on governance issues, appointments, and proposed bills.
The Council of State, established under Articles 89 to 92 of the 1992 Constitution, is expected to offer strategic, non-partisan guidance to the President throughout his tenure.
Notable appointees include:
- Edward Korbly Doe Adjaho – Former Speaker of Parliament (Volta Region) [CHAIRMAN]
- Betty Mould Iddrisu – Former Attorney General (Ashanti Region)
- Cletus Avoka – Former MP for Zebilla Constituency (Upper East Region)
- Justice Vida Amankwanua Akoto-Bamfo (JSC, Retired) – Former Supreme Court Justice (Greater Accra Region)
- Dr. Eunice Brookman-Amissah – Former Minister of Health (Central Region)
- Mrs. Molly Anim Addo – Former Ambassador (Greater Accra Region)
- Daasebre Boamah Darko – Chief of Akyem Kukuratumi (Eastern Region)
- Osabarima Kwesi Attah II – Paramount Chief of the Oguaa Traditional Area (Central Region)
- Mankpanwura Jakpa Achor-Ade Borenyi I – Paramount Chief of the Mankpan Traditional Area (Savannah Region)
- Cynthia Komley Adjetey – (Greater Accra Region)
- Nana Saa Gyamfuaa II – Queen Mother of Ayima Traditional Area (Bono Region)
Institutional representatives:
- Justice Sophia Akuffo (JSC, Retired) – Former Chief Justice (Eastern Region)
- Mohammed Ahmed Alhassan – Former Inspector-General of Police (Upper West Region)
- Air Marshal Michael Samson-Oje (Retired) – Former Chief of Defence Staff (Savannah Region)
- Ogyeahohor Yaw Gyebi II – President of the National House of Chiefs (Western North Region)
The 16 elected representatives, one from each region, bring expertise from diverse sectors such as law, agriculture, education, and business.
Mahama Urges Council to Uphold Transparency and Good Governance
During the swearing-in ceremony, President Mahama reiterated the crucial role of the Council of State in ensuring transparency, accountability, and adherence to constitutional principles.
“You are not here to be a rubber stamp. Your role is to provide critical and independent counsel that will strengthen governance and uphold the trust the Ghanaian people have placed in us,” he told the newly sworn-in members.
The Council members will serve until the end of Mahama’s term, unless removed by the President with parliamentary approval or in cases of resignation or incapacitation.
With a blend of experienced politicians, legal minds, traditional leaders, and security experts, the Council of State is expected to offer strong advisory support to Mahama’s administration, ensuring sound policy decisions and national development.
