The Council of State in

Ghana Ghana, officially the Republic of Ghana, is a country in West Africa. It is situated along the Gulf of Guinea and the Atlantic Ocean to the south, and shares borders with Côte d’Ivoire to the west, Burkina Faso to the north, and Togo to t ...

is a body of prominent citizens, analogous to the Council of Elders in the traditional political system, which advises the

president President most commonly refers to: *President (corporate title) * President (education), a leader of a college or university *President (government title) President may also refer to: Arts and entertainment Film and television *'' Præsident ...

on national issues. The Council of State was established by Articles 89 to 92 of the 1992

Constitution of Ghana The Constitution of Ghana is the supreme law of the Republic of Ghana. It was approved on 28 April 1992 through a national referendum after 92% support. It defines the fundamental political principles, establishing the structure, procedures, pow ...

: "There shall be a Council of State to counsel the President in the performance of his functions."

Membership

The Council of State should include a former

Chief Justice of Ghana The chief justice of Ghana is the highest-ranking judge of the Supreme Court of Ghana. The chief justice is also the head of the Judiciary of Ghana and is responsible for its administration and supervision. In order of state precedence, the chief ...

, a former Chief of the Defence Staff and a former

Inspector General of Police An inspector-general of police is a senior police officer in the police force or police service of several nations. The rank usually refers to the head of a large regional command within a police service, and in many countries refers to the most ...

and the president of the National House of Chiefs. Each region of Ghana also has an elected representative. The

President of Ghana The president of the Republic of Ghana is the elected head of state and head of government of Ghana, as well as commander-in-chief of the Ghana Armed Forces. The current president of Ghana is John Mahama, who won the 2024 presidential elect ...

also appoints eleven members. Members stay in office until the term of office of the president ends. Every four years, the Electoral Commission of Ghana organises elections to fill the elected positions. There is an Electoral College formed in every region to elect their representative. The College is made up of two representatives nominated by each District Assembly. Any registered voter who is a citizen of Ghana is qualified to stand for election. Nominations for each person must be proposed and seconded by two registered voters from the region and be supported by a further twenty voters from the region. The voting by the Electoral College is usually held at the Regional Capital.

Meetings

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.

Current members

Following the change of government in January 2025, the membership of the Council of State will be changing. Elections are being held for the elected regional representatives on 11 February 2025 in all regional capitals. The new President will also be nominating his eleven appointees to the Council. 154 people made up of 144 men and 10 women contested the elected positions in all 16 regions. In 2025, the total membership of the Electoral College in all regions was 522, consisting of 2 voters from each District Assembly. The election in the Ashanti Region did not occur as scheduled as thugs disrupted proceedings and destroyed materials. There was a tie in North Eastern Region so a re-run was scheduled for 13 February 2025. The final list of elected members and those appointed by Mahama were sworn in on 18 February 2025 at Jubilee House.

Past members of the Council of State

2021 to 2025

The membership from the past four years was sworn in by President

Nana Akufo-Addo William Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo ( ; born 29 March 1944) is a Ghanaian politician who served as the 13th president of Ghana from January 2017 to January 2025. He previously served as Attorney General of Ghana, Attorney General from 2001 to 20 ...

on 23 February 2021 at the Jubilee House. The vacant position reserved for former

was filled following the appointment of Georgina Theodora Wood following her retirement.

References

External links

Ghana Districts: The Council of StateGhanaWeb: The Council of State
{{Authority control Government agencies established in 1992 Government of Ghana