Council of State needs revamp — Cletus Avoka

Mr Cletus Avoka, a former Majority Leader of Parliament, has called for an independent and adequately resourced Council of State, arguing that its current structure constrains its effectiveness.

He said separating the Council from the machinery of government was essential to strengthening its role in Ghana’s democratic governance framework.

Speaking at a roundtable organised by the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) on constitutional reforms, Mr Avoka, who is also a Member of the Council of State, said the institution required greater autonomy and dedicated funding.

“The Council of State needs revamping and its own financial arrangements, so that it will have the power to operate on its own,” he said.

Mr Avoka said the Council had remained largely stagnant despite developments in other state institutions, including Parliament.

“While Parliament is developing and progressing, the Council is virtually stagnant in the sense that there are no offices for members. Only the Chairman has an office.

“The others, they are behaving like the 1993 Parliament – you carry your office in your car boots,” he said.

Former Chief Justice Sophia Akuffo emphasised the need to advance the constitutional review process to improve governance outcomes.

“Democracy is not just an engine itself, but it leads to development, sustainable, effective and desirable development.

“How are we going to do that under this present constitution? I think it has proven rather difficult,” she said.

Mr Sam Okudzeto, an eminent legal practitioner who chaired the roundtable, commended the IEA for facilitating the discussion and urged continued national dialogue on constitutional reforms.

The programme was held on the theme: “Views and Reflections: The Prempeh Committee's Report and Government's Position on Constitutional Review.”

The Constitution Review Committee, chaired by Professor Henry Prempeh, was established in January 2025 to undertake a comprehensive review of the 1992 Constitution.

Its mandate includes identifying constitutional gaps, implementation challenges and governance constraints, and proposing reforms to strengthen accountability, inclusion, democratic governance and national development.

The Committee’s recommendations cover nine thematic areas, including a more accountable presidency, people-centred democracy, public sector reforms, decentralisation, social justice, constitutional adaptability, national security, and strengthened accountability and justice institutions.

GNA