President Mahama engages Civil Society group on Governance Advisory Council creation

President John Dramani Mahama has taken a major step toward fulfilling a central promise from his 2024 election campaign by engaging representatives of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in discussions on the formation of a Governance Advisory Council.

The meeting, held at the Presidency on May 26, aimed to shape the structure and mandate of the proposed council, which is intended to enhance accountability and improve governance in Ghana.

During the session, President Mahama outlined the Council's role as an independent body that would monitor and advise the government on issues such as human rights, corruption, and governance performance.

“This Council is a commitment to the Ghanaian people, a promise to foster a more transparent and accountable government,” the President said.

A press statement following the meeting further clarified the President’s vision: “President Mahama believes that by bringing together the wisdom and expertise of civil society, religious leaders, traditional authorities, academia, labour, and ordinary Ghanaians, we can create a powerful mechanism for ensuring that our governance truly reflects the values and aspirations of our nation.”

In line with his campaign pledge, the President explained that the Governance Advisory Council would be responsible for producing an annual report assessing the state of human rights, levels of corruption, and overall governance in the country. The report, he said, would be made public and used as a benchmark for measuring progress and identifying areas for reform.

“This annual report will not be just another document gathering dust on a shelf,” President Mahama had stressed during his campaign. “It will be a living, breathing instrument for change, holding us accountable and pushing us to do better on issues ranging from human rights violations and corruption to media freedoms and the fight against torture and crime.”

To lead the process of establishing the Council, the President has appointed Dr Valerie Sawyerr, Senior Presidential Advisor for Governmental Affairs. Her role will be to coordinate consultations and develop a framework to ensure the Council's independence, effectiveness, and long-term sustainability.