Constitution |
---|
Africaportal Politicsportal |
The Council of State in Ghana is a small body of prominent citizens, analogous to the Council of Elders in the traditional political system, which advises the president on national issues.
The Council of State was established by Articles 89 to 92 of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana: "There shall be a Council of State to counsel the President in the performance of his functions." [1]
The Council of State should include a former Chief Justice of Ghana, a former Chief of the Defence Staff and a former Inspector General of Police and the president of the National House of Chiefs. Each region of Ghana also has an elected representative. The President of Ghana also appoints eleven members. Members stay in office until the term of office of the president ends. [2]
The current membership was sworn in by President Nana Akufo-Addo on 23 February 2021 at the Jubilee House. [3] The vacant position reserved for former Chief Justice of Ghana was filled following the appointment of Georgina Theodora Wood following her retirement. [4]
The council is required to meet four times a year. It can also meet if requested by the President of Ghana, the Parliament of Ghana or by at least five sitting members of the council. There should be more than half the members of the Council at a meeting to form a quorum. Decisions of the council are valid if voted for by the majority of members present at the meeting. The Council regulates its own procedures subject to the provisions of the Ghana Constitution. [5]
Elected members | ||
Name | Term | Comments |
---|---|---|
Yaw Basoa [6] | Feb 2021–present | Ahafo Region. First person to represent the Region. |
Nana Owusu Achiaw Brempong [7] [8] | Feb 2017–present | Ashanti Region |
Kwadwo Agyenim Boateng [7] [9] | Feb 2017–present | Bono Region. He represented Brong Ahafo Region from 2017 until the region got divided into 3 regions. |
Vacant | Bono East region. A court injunction has delayed this seat being occupied. [9] | |
Emmanuel Baidoo (Odeefuo Afankwa III) [10] | Feb 2021–present | Central Region |
Paa Kofi Ansong [9] | Feb 2021–present | Eastern Region |
E. T. Mensah [11] | Feb 2021–present | Greater Accra Region |
Azumah Namoro Sanda [9] | Feb 2021–present | North East Region. First person to represent the Region. |
Mahamoud Tahiru (Zung Lana) [12] | Feb 2021–present | Northern Region |
Richard Kings Atikpo [9] | Feb 2021–present | Oti Region. First person to represent the Region. |
Adam Zakariah [13] | Feb 2021–present | Savannah Region. First person to represent the Region. |
Tong-Raan Kugbilsong Nalebegtang [14] | Feb 2021–present | Upper East Region |
Daniel Anlieu-Mwine Bagah [9] | Feb 2021–present | Upper West Region |
Francis Albert Seth Nyonyo [7] | Feb 2017–present | Volta Region |
Vacant | Western Region. There was a tie for this position in the election. [9] | |
Katakyie Kwasi Bumagama II [9] | Feb 2021–present | Western North Region. First person to represent the Region. |
Appointed members | ||
Nana Otuo Siriboe II [15] [16] | Feb 2017–present (also 2005 - 2009) | Paramount Chief of Asante-Juaben Traditional Area Former Lecturer at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology Elected chairman by the council in 2017 and re-elected in 2021 [17] [18] |
Sam Okudzeto [15] | Feb 2017–present | former president of the Ghana Bar Association |
Stanley Nii Adjiri Blankson [15] | Feb 2017–present | former mayor of Accra |
Mrs. Alberta Cudjoe [15] | Feb 2017–present | |
Alhaji Aminu Amadu [15] | Feb 2017–present | |
Margaret Amoakohene [15] | Feb 2017–present | School of Communication Studies, University of Ghana, Legon; |
Mrs. Georgina Kusi [15] | Feb 2017–present | |
Alhaji Sule Yiremiah [15] | Feb 2017–present | |
Justice Ofei Akrofi [19] [20] | Feb 2021–present | Anglican Archbishop |
Ato Essuman [19] [20] | Feb 2021–present | |
Kuoro Richard Babini Kanton VI [19] [20] | Feb 2017–present | Tumu Kuoro and elected member for Upper West Region from 2017, appointed by Nana Akufo-Addo from Feb 2021 |
Ex-Officio Members | ||
General J.B. Danquah [7] | Feb 2017–present | former Chief of the Defence Staff |
Nana Owusu-Nsiah [7] | Feb 2017–present | former Inspector General of Police |
Georgina Theodora Wood [4] | June 2017 – present | former Chief Justice of Ghana |
Elected members | |||
Region | Name | Term | Comments |
---|---|---|---|
Ashanti Region | Nana Asiama Poku Afrifa [21] [22] | 2009 - Jan 2017 | |
Benjamin Asonaba Dapaah [23] | 2001 - Jan 2009 | Transport Owner | |
Brong Ahafo Region | Nana Saa Gyamfuaa II [22] | Feb 2013 - Jan 2017 | |
J. H. Owusu-Acheampong [21] | 2009 - Jan 2013 | former Regional Minister, Provisional National Defence Council | |
Michael Kwadwo Adusah [23] | 2005 - Jan 2009 | Retired Assistant Commissioner of Police | |
Central Region | Obrempong Appiah Nuamah II [7] | Feb 2017–Feb 2021 | |
Percival Alfred Kuranchie [22] | Feb 2013 - Jan 2017 | ||
Ato Essuman [21] [16] | 2005 - Jan 2013 | Management consultant | |
Eastern Region | Nana Somuah Mireku- Nyampong [7] | Feb 2017 – Jan 2021 | |
Nana Kodua Kesse II [22] | Feb 2013 – Jan 2017 | ||
Osabarima Owusu Gyamadu III [21] | 2009 – Jan 2013 | ||
Fredrick Guggisberg Yaw Ofori-Atta [23] | 2005 - Jan 2009 | Industrial Relations Practitioner | |
Greater Accra Region | Nii Kotei Dzani [7] | Feb 2017 – Feb 2021 | |
Emmanuel Adzei-Anang [22] | 2009 - Jan 2017 | ||
John Sackah Addo [23] | 2005 - Jan 2009 | Former governor of the Bank of Ghana | |
Northern Region | Bo-Na Professor Yakubu S. Nantogma [7] | Feb 2017 - Feb 2021 | |
Vo-Naa Bawah Mohammed Baba [22] | 2009 - Jan 2017 | ||
Naa Sebiyam Nabila [23] | 2005 - Jan 2009 | ||
Upper East Region | The Rt. Rev. Dr Jacob Kofi Ayeebo [22] | Feb 2009 [24] - Jan 2017 | |
Francis Asianab Afoko [23] | 2005 - Jan 2009 | Businessman | |
Upper West Region | Richard Babini Kanton IV [7] | Feb 2017–Jan 2021 | |
Guli-Naa Seidu Bhat Braimah [22] | Feb 2009 - Jan 2017 | Former District Chief Executive for Wa Municipal (Longest Serving DCE). (Chief of Guli Traditional area) | |
Naa Seidu Braimah | 2009 - Jan 2013 | ||
Kuoro Kuri-Buktie Limann IV [23] | 2005 - Jan 2009 | Paramount Chief of Gwollu Traditional Area | |
Volta Region | Togbui Binah Lawluvi VI [25] [22] | 2013 - Jan 2017 | Paramount Chief of Ziope Traditional area Lawyer and lecturer at Ho Polytechnic President of Volta Regional Chapter of Association of Rural Banks |
Bernard Kwasi Glover | 2009 - Jan 2013 | ||
Togbe Kpangbatriku III [23] | 2005 - Jan 2009 | Paramount Chief of Dodome Traditional Area | |
Western Region | Eunice Jacqueline Buah [7] [26] | Feb 2017–Jan 2021 | Owner of Labianca Company |
George Kofi Dadzie [22] | 2009 - Jan 2017 | ||
Paul Kwabena Damoah [23] | 2005 - Jan 2009 | Agriculturist | |
Appointed members | |||
Appointing President | Name | Term | Comments |
Nana Akufo-Addo | Paa Kofi Ansong [15] | Feb 2017 - Feb 2021 [19] [20] | |
Nana Kofi Obiri Egyir II [15] | Feb 2017 - Feb 2021 [19] [20] | Sanaa Lodge | |
Alhaji Sahanun Moqtar [15] | Feb 2017 – Feb 2021 [19] [20] | ||
John Kufuor | Naa Thomas Tia Sulemana [23] | 2005 - Jan 2009 | Zosali-Na |
Nana Ogyeabuor Akompi Finam II | 2001 - Jan 2004 | ||
Naa Abayifa Karbo II [23] | 2001-2004 | ||
Kofi Amanor Ansah [23] | 2001-2004 | ||
Nana Prah Agyensaim [23] | 2001-2004 | ||
Nana Otuo Siribour II [23] | 2005- Jan 2009 | Paramount Chief of Asante-Juaben Traditional Area and former lecturer at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology | |
Fred Ofori-Atta Asante | 2001-2004 | ||
Albert Adu-Boahen [23] | 2001-2004 | Retired University of Ghana lecturer | |
Emma Mitchell [23] | 2001-2004 | ||
Alhaji Alhassan Bin-Salih [23] | 2001 - Jan 2009 | ||
Clement Kubindiwor Tedam [23] | 2001 - Jan 2009 | former Minister of Local Government, (SMC) and Educationist | |
Anthony K. Deku [23] | 2001 - Jan 2009 | Former Commissioner of Police (CID) | |
Kwesi Armah [23] | 2001 - Jan 2009 | Former High Commissioner to the United Kingdom and a Barrister-at-Law | |
Samuel Asante-Antwi [23] | 2005 - Jan 2009 | Immediate-Past Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church of Ghana | |
Daniel Adzei Bekoe [23] | 2001 - Jan 2009 | Former Vice Chancellor of the University of Ghana | |
Alexander Kwapong | 2001 - 2004 | former Vice Chancellor of the University of Ghana | |
Ama Busia [23] | 2001 - Jan 2009 | a former Principal Domestic Bursar, University of Ghana | |
Gifty Afenyi-Dadzie [23] | 2005- Jan 2009 | Past President of the Ghana Journalists Association and a member of the Media Commission | |
Cecilia Bannerman | 2005- Jan 2009 | Former Minister of Mines | |
John Atta Mills | Mrs Victoria Addy [16] | 2009 - Jan 2013 | |
Hajia Hajara Musah Ali [16] | 2009 - Jan 2013 | ||
Mrs Cecilia Johnson [16] | 2009 – Jan 2013 | former Minister for Local Government and Rural Development | |
George Akilagpa Sawyerr [16] | 2009 - Jan 2013 | Former Vice Chancellor of the University of Ghana | |
Alhaji Mahama Iddrisu [16] | 2009 - Jan 2013 | former member of PNDC and Defence Minister | |
Nana Akuoko Sarpong [16] | 2009 - Jan 2013 | former Secretary for Chieftaincy Affairs | |
Otumfuor Baidoo Bonso XV [16] | 2009 - Jan 2013 | ||
Daasebre Kwebu Ewusi [16] | 2009 - Jan 2013 | ||
Nii Amoo Darku [16] | 2009 - Jan 2013 | ||
Asoma Abu Banda [16] | 2009 - Jan 2013 | ||
Kofi Awoonor [16] | 2009 - Jan 2013 | Chairman, former Permanent Representative to the United Nations and retired University lecturer | |
John Mahama | John Henry Martey Newman | Feb 2013 - Jan 2017 | Former Chairman of the Council [27] former Chief of Staff under the late President John Mills |
Nana Osei Asibey [28] [29] | Feb 2013 - Jan 2017 | Dabosohene, Ashanti Region | |
Cecilia Johnson [16] [29] | Feb 2013 - Jan 2017 | former Minister for Local Government and Rural Development, Brong-Ahafo Region | |
Ama Benyiwa Doe [16] [29] | Feb 2013 - Jan 2017 | former Central Regional Minister & former Central Region representative | |
Abraham Kweku Edusei [23] [29] | Feb 2013 - Jan 2017 | Eastern Region | |
Rabiatu Deinyo Ammah [23] [29] [30] | Feb 2013 - Jan 2017 | Greater Accra Region | |
Rasheed Sulemana Mahama [23] [29] | Feb 2013 - Jan 2017 | Tuluwewura, Northern Region | |
David Kanga [23] [29] | 2013 - Jan 2017 | Upper East Region | |
Edward Nminyuor Gyader [23] [29] | 2013- Jan 2017 | Upper West Region | |
Patrick Enyonam Agboba (Togbe Sri III) [23] [29] | 2013 - Jan 2017 | Volta Region | |
Okogyeman Kweku Gyamerah III [23] [29] | February 2013 - Jan 2017 | Sefwi Chiranohene, Western Region | |
Abraham Kwaku Adusei | |||
Ex-Officio members | |||
Position | Name | Term | Comments |
former Chief of the Defence Staff | Seth Kofi Obeng [28] | March 2013 - Jan 2017 | |
Lt General Arnold Quainoo [16] | 2009-Jan 2013 | former member of PNDC | |
Major-General Edwin Sam [23] | 2001 - Jan 2009 | ||
former IGP | Christopher Komla Dewornu [28] | March 2013 - January 2017 | |
Peter Nanfuri [16] | 2009-Jan 2013 | ||
Kwaku Kyei [23] | 2005 - Jan 2009 | ||
President, National House Of Chiefs | Togbe Afede XIV [7] | Feb 2017 - Feb 2021 | |
Nana Osei Asibey [28] | March 2013 - Jan 2017 | ||
John Naa Sebiyam Nabilla [16] | 2009-Jan 2013 | retired academic | |
Nana Otuo Siriboe Odeneho Gyapong Ababio II [23] | 2001 - Jan 2009 | Omanhene of Sefwi-Bekwai Traditional Area | |
Other past members | |||
Position | Name | Term | Comments |
Mumuni Bawumia [31] | 1992 - 2000 | former Chairman of the Council of State | |
Adisa Munkaila [32] | Kufuor government era | ||
Fati Jawula [32] | Rawlings government era | ||
Ramatu Baba [32] | Nkrumah government era | ||
Eric Kwamina Otoo [32] | Appointed 1993 | ||
Politics of Ghana takes place in a framework of a presidential representative democratic republic, whereby the president of Ghana is both head of state and head of government, and of a two party system. The seat of government is at Golden Jubilee House. Executive power is exercised by the government. Legislative power is vested in both the government and Parliament. The judiciary is independent of the executive and the legislature.
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) is a social democratic political party in Ghana, founded by Jerry Rawlings, who was Head of State in Ghana from 1981 to 1993. He became the President of Ghana from 1993 to 2001. Following the formation of the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC), which ruled Ghana following the military coup d'état on 31 December 1981, there was pressure from the international community to restore democracy. The NDC was formed as the ruling party ahead of elections in 1992, in which Rawlings was elected president, and in 1996 Rawlings was re-elected as the NDC candidate. Rawlings' second term ended in 2001.
John Dramani Mahama is a Ghanaian politician has served as the President of Ghana since 7 January 2025. He previously served in the same position from 2012 to 2017 and as Vice President from January 2009 to July 2012. He took office as president for the first time on 24 July 2012, following the death of his predecessor, John Atta Mills.
William Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo is a Ghanaian politician who served as the 13th president of Ghana from 2017 to 2025. He previously served as Attorney General from 2001 to 2003 and as Minister for Foreign Affairs from 2003 to 2007 under the administration of then-president John Kufuor.
The Supreme Court of Ghana is the highest judicial body in Ghana. Ghana's 1992 constitution guarantees the independence and separation of the Judiciary from the Legislative and the Executive arms of government.
The Inspector General of Police (IGP) is the most senior Police Officer in Ghana. The IGP is appointed by the president of Ghana acting in consultation with the Council of State. The IGP is the head of the Police service and is responsible for the operational control and the administration of the Police Service.
The Electoral Commission of Ghana (EC) is the official body in Ghana responsible for all public elections. Made up of seven members and there are seven (7) functional departments at the Head Office. Each department is headed by a Director who is assisted by Unit Heads. The departments are:- Electoral services; Human Resource; Finance; Training; Administration; Research, Monitoring & Evaluation; Information Technology. its independence is guaranteed by the 1992 Ghana constitution. The current commission was established by the Electoral Commission Act (Act 451) of 1993. Kwadwo Afari-Gyan was the first substantive chairman of the commission in the Fourth Republic of Ghana, from 1993 to 2015. He was succeeded by Charlotte Osei as the first female chairman of the commission from 2015 to June 2018. Jean Adukwei Mensah succeeded Charlotte Osei in July 2018. On December 5, 2018, the Electoral commission chaired by Jean Adukwei Mensah reverted to the old logo showing the Coat of arms of Ghana and a ballot box showing the hand casting its votes, after the controversy over the new logo.
Mahamudu Bawumia is a Ghanaian politician and former central banker who served as the sixth vice president of Ghana in the fourth Ghanaian Republic, from 7 January 2017 to 7 January 2025. He was the New Patriotic Party (NPP) nominee for president in the 2024 general election.
Ghana gained independence from the British on 6 March 1957. It is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. The country became a republic on July 1, 1960.
Kwasi Anin-Yeboah is a Ghanaian judge and a former Chief Justice of Ghana. In December 2019, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo nominated Justice Anin-Yeboah as the Chief Justice of Ghana.
Dominic Aduna Bingab Nitiwul is a Ghanaian politician and Member of Parliament (MP) for the Bimbilla constituency in the Northern Region of Ghana. He has also served in the Pan-African Parliament. Since February 2017, Nitiwul has held the office of Minister of Defence of Ghana.
Henrietta Joy Abena Nyarko Mensa-Bonsu, is a Supreme Court Judge of the Republic of Ghana. She was nominated by president Nana Akufo-Addo. She is the 5th female member of the Court. Prior to her appointment to the Supreme Court, she was a Ghanaian law professor who served as a member of the United Nations Independent Panel on Peace Operations.
Samuel Abu Jinapor, is a Ghanaian lawyer and a politician. He is a member of the New Patriotic Party and the Member of Parliament for the Damongo Constituency. In 2017, President Nana Addo Dankwah Akufo-Addo appointed him as Deputy Chief of Staff in charge of Operations at the Office of the President, at the age of 33, the youngest in the history of Ghana to occupy such a position. He is currently the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources.
Francis Asenso-Boakye is a Ghanaian politician and businessman. He is a member of the New Patriotic Party. He is the member of parliament for the Bantama Constituency in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. He was the deputy Chief of Staff and Political Assistant to Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo; President of the Republic of Ghana. He is currently the Minister for Roads and Highways.
Eugene Arhin is a Ghanaian politician. He is a member of the New Patriotic Party and the current Director of communications at the office of the President of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
Jean Adukwei Mensa is a Ghanaian lawyer by profession who has been serving as chairperson of the Electoral Commission of Ghana since July 2018. She was nominated by the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akuffo-Addo to take over the chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC) from her predecessor, Charlotte Osei. Jean Mensa was born on November 12, 1971. Prior to assuming the role of chairperson of the EC, Jean Mensa spent an 18-year career at the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA), rising to the position of executive director. As the EC chairperson, Jean Mensa declared the then presidential candidate Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo of the NPP as the president-elect of the December 7th, 2020 Presidential Election.
General elections were held in Ghana on 7 December 2020. Incumbent President Nana Akufo-Addo of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) was re-elected in the first round after securing a majority of the votes. Former President John Dramani Mahama announced that he would contest the results. At the Supreme Court, a petition challenging the result was filed on 30 December, and unanimously dismissed on 4 March 2021 for lack of merit.
Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo is the current Chief Justice of the republic of Ghana. She was nominated to the Supreme Court in November 2019 and received parliamentary approval in December 2019. She was sworn in on 17 December 2019. She was nominated to the office of Chief Justice in April 2023 to replace Justice Kwasi Anin-Yeboah who retired as Chief Justice on May 24, 2023. She was sworn into office as the 15th Chief Justice of Ghana on 12 June 2023.
The presidency of Nana Akufo-Addo began on 7 January 2017 and ended on 7 January 2025. Following the 2016 Ghanaian general elections, Nana Akufo-Addo the flag-bearer of the New Patriotic Party, succeeded John Mahama as the 13th president of Ghana and the fifth of the Fourth Republic after winning by a landslide. He won a second term on 9 December 2020 in a tightly contested race against National Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate and former president, John Mahama.