By Savannah Pokuaah Duah
Former Chief Justice of Ghana, Justice Sophia Akuffo, has waded into the debate on the fate of the Council of State, suggesting that reforming or revising the institution might be a better option than scrapping it altogether.
Speaking on TV3’s Hot Issues, Justice Akuffo stated that converting the Council of State into a second legislative chamber, similar to an upper chamber, could be a viable way to strengthen the country’s governance structures. This, she argued, would enable the Council to provide input on critical areas such as national finances and defense before decisions are made.
According to Justice Akuffo, it is crucial to ensure that members of the Council of State operate in a non-partisan capacity, providing honest advice to the President rather than simply rubber-stamping executive decisions. “An adviser does not parrot. An adviser speaks with honesty. An adviser looks to the best interest, not only of the person they are advising but of the function the person they are serving,” she emphasized.
Justice Akuffo’s comments come at a time when the Council of State’s relevance and effectiveness have been called into question. As a former Chief Justice and current member of the Council, her insights into the institution’s potential and limitations are particularly valuable.
