Mahama Swears In Members Of Council Of State

President John Dramani Mahama Of Ghana

President John Dramani Mahama has assured Ghanaians that the current power load shedding would be reduced by the middle of the year and ended completely by the end of the year.

President Mahama gave the assurance Wednesday when he swore in Members of the Council of State at the Flagstaff House, Kanda in Accra.

He asked the members to be open and frank and tell him the truth at all times.

He said the members must advise him on issues of importance to the people to address the needs of the people and propel the country's socio economic development.

The President expressed the hope that members of the Council of State convene their first meeting to discuss issues and begin to offer him advice.

Mr Martey Newman, who spoke on behalf of the other members, assured the President of their commitment to advise on critical issues and support him in his effort at developing the country.

"We will support the President as determined by the Constitution to enable him to perform his duty in accordance with the constitution", he said.

Mr Martey Newman stressed the need for public servants to be committed to their work.

The unelected members are Mr John Henry Martey Newman and Dr Rabiatu Deinyo Ammah for the Greater Accra Region, Mrs Cecilia Johnson for the Brong Ahafo Region, Nana Osei Asibie II, Dabosohene, Ashanti Region, Mr Patrick Enyonam Agboba (Togbe Sri III), Volta Region, Mr Rasheed Sulemana Mahama (Tulewura Bonyansa I), Northern Region and Okogyeman Kwaku Gyamprah III (Sefwi Chiranohene) for Western Region.

The rest of the unelected members are Mr David Kangah for the Upper East Region, Mrs Ama Benyiwa-Doe, Central Region, Sir Dr Edward Nminyuor Gyader, Upper West Region and Pastor Abraham Kwaku Adusei, Eastern Region.

On February 6, 2013, the Electoral Commission (EC) conducted elections for the regional representatives on the Council of State.

They are Mr George Kofi Dadzie for the Western Region, Dr Percival Alfred Kuranchie for the Central Region, Mr Emmanuel Adzei-Anang for the Greater Accra Region, Torgbui Binah Lawluvi VI for the Volta Region and Nana Kodua Kesse II for the Eastern Region.

The other elected members are Nana Asiama Poku Afrifa II for the Ashanti Region, Nana Saa Gyamfuaa II for the Brong Ahafo Region, Vo-Naa Bawah Mohammed Baba for the Northern Region, Rt Rev Dr Jacob Kofi Ayeebo for the Upper East Region and Guli-Naa Seidu Bhat Braimah for the Upper West Region.

The President of the National House of Chiefs, Naa Prof John Nabila, is a statuory member of the council.

Meanwhile, the President had submitted the names of a former Chief of Defence Staff and a former Inspector General of Police to Parliament for consideration and approval for them to join the Council of State.