By: Rachel Quartey
Vice President, Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang has entreated members of the 9th Council of State, to redefine the Council’s role during their tenure, and take up active role in Ghana’s Governance reset.
Speaking at the opening of the Council’s orientation program held at Peduase, Prof. Opoku-Agyemang emphasized the need for a governance reset, aligning with President’s vision for national transformation.
“Beyond the formalities of this gathering, it is the commencement of essential dialogues that will define the direction of this Council. How it affirms its duty, its role, reinforce its relevance and contribute to the imperative responsibility that must confront all of us, which is resetting Ghana by establishing a governance framework that is genuinely development oriented, institutionally robust and reflective of the hopes and aspirations of all citizens,” she stated
“We need institutional resilience that transforms above the transience of political power. His Excellency President John Dramani Mahama has embraced this charge with a clear mandate to reset Ghana. This reset is not mere rhetoric. It is a pressing demand to overhaul the systems that have hindered our advancement and to create a governance model that is effective, forward looking, suited to the challenges opportunities of the 21st century,” the Vice President further said.
Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang also called upon the Council of State to move beyond its traditional advisory role and take an active stance in shaping Ghana’s governance policies.
She said “the success of this mission is inextricably intertwined with your responsibility to dispel the popular accusation of merely existing to validate predetermined decisions. Indeed, these accusations highlight a broader public expectation that government institutions must prove their value and not merely exist.”
“Respectfully, Chair and members of this eminent Council, you must therefore endeavour to contribute to the shaping of government policies at their inception and ensure that major policy choices are meticulously guided by the principles of accountability, equity and long term mutual interests. Your tenure must redefine the Council’s role, transforming it from its perceptively passive advisory body into an active institution that anticipates challenges,” Prof. Opoku-Agyemang added.
The orientation program marks the beginning of an essential dialogue on governance reforms, with expectations high for the 9th Council of State to play a transformative role in the nation’s future.
A key aspect of this transformation, Prof. Opoku-Agyemang noted, is the long-overdue for a review of Ghana’s 1992 Constitution. While the document has played a vital role in maintaining democratic stability, she stressed that reforms are necessary to balance power among government institutions, improve local governance structures, and prioritize economic transformation.
The Chairman of the Council of State, Mr. Edward Doe Adjaho stressed the importance of collaboration, and collective responsibility.
“Valued Council members, it is important to abandon our individual inclinations and infuse the wealth of our collective views as council members to guide our deliberations,” he said.
Mr. Edward Doe Adjaho, who is also a former Speaker of Parliament, urged members to uphold integrity, transparency, and national interest as they embark on their advisory role.
He explained that “the Council is not justified in providing information, statements, and / or disseminate the contents of its advice and recommendation to a third-party. That is the underlying essence of our meetings in camera and oaths of secrecy. Where our engagements are to be in public, there is a burden of cautionary discretion we ought to exercise. May I kindly request that we respect these noble requirements and balance them with the needs of state.”
He acknowledged the diverse experiences and backgrounds of members, describing it as an opportunity to contribute meaningfully to national development.
After the orientation, members are expected to gain deeper insights into mandate, operational structure, and key responsibilities in supporting the executive and legislative functions of the state.
