Inaugurated Council Of State, Asked To Work On Ex-Gratia

President J .E .A Mills (inset) swearing in members of the Council of State President John Evans Atta Mills yesterday swore in and inaugurated 23 Members of the Council of State group of eminent persons that is to advise the President.

He immediately directed them to work on the Chinery Hesse's Report. The Report has sparked controversy in recent weeks over ex-gratia and end of service benefits for former President Kufuor and out-gone members of Parliament in the last Administration.

The inauguration will see to the appointment of Boards of Public Corporations. The Members of the Council took the Oaths of Office, and Secrecy and the President also presented to them their Instrument of Appointment.

The 23 are, Lt -Gen Arnold Quainoo (rtd), former General Officer Commanding the Ghana Armed Forces, Mr Peter Nanfuri, former Inspector General of Police; Prof John Nabilla, President of the National House of Chiefs; Mr J H Owusu Acheampong, elected to represent the Brong Ahafo Region; Nana Asiama Poku Afrifa, elected to represent the Ashanti Region and Pkan-Naa Mohammed Baba Bawah, elected to represent Northern Region.

Others are Dr Bernard Kwasi Glover, elected to represent the Volta Region; Very Rev Dr Jacob Ayeebo, elected to represent the Upper East Region; Mr George Kofi Dadzie, elected to represent the Western Region; Naa Seidu Braimah, elected to represent the Upper West Region; Osabirama Owusu Gyamadu III, elected to represent the Eastern and Mr Ato Essuman, elected to represent the Central Region.

The Presidential Appointees on the Council are Mrs Victoria Addy, Mrs Cecilia Johnson, Prof Akilakpa Sawyerr, Prof Kofi Nyidevu Awoonor, Daasebre Kwubu VIII, and Alhaji Asoma Banda.

Other Appointees are Hajara Musa Ali, Alhaji Mahama Iddrisu, Nana Akuoko Sarpong, Omanhene of Agogo Traditional Area; Otumfuo Badu Bonsu XV and Rev Nii Amo Darko.

The Greater Accra Region is yet to elect its representative to the Council of State.

Vice President John Dramani Mahama, who described the appointment as well-deserved said that the Council is not a club of pensioners or retirees, but a very critical institution, which has not yet been used to the full.

He spoke of calls to have an Upper Chamber, and said that the Council is close to the Upper Chamber to review Bills.

Prof Kofi Nyidevu Awoonor assured the President that they will serve the nation with diligence, adding that they will support the Government but will be forthright with the Government.