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President Nana Akufo-Addo, has run out of ideas and human resources in the appointments of persons he intends to run the country with in his second term in office. He is not seen as bringing onboard any fresh personalities with new ideas.
As with his ministerial nominees and Presidential staffers, the President has retained 14 of his appointees to the Council of State for his second term. They are mostly his old friends in their late 70s and have endorsed most of his actions in the last four years without questions.
They, included the immediate past Chair of the Council, Nana Otuo Siriboe, the Paramount Chief of Asante-Juaben Traditional to form part of the composition of the Council according to a release from the Jubilee House.
The others are Archbishop Justice Ofei Akrofi, Sam Okudzeto, Stanley Blankson, Prof. Ato Essuman, Alhaji Aminu Amadu, Dr. Margaret Amoakohene, Georgina Kusi, Alberta Cudjoe, Kuoro Richard Babini Kanton VI and Alhaji Sule Yiremiah.
The President, has also retained three others subject to consultation with Parliament, has also appointed, in accordance with Article 89(2)(a)(i)(ii) and (iii), Georgina Theodora Wood, a former Chief Justice, Lt. Gen. J.B. Danquah, a former Chief of Defence Staff of the Armed Forces, and Nana Owusu Nsiah, a former Inspector General of Police, to the Council.
The President of the National House of Chiefs, Ogyeahohoo Yaw Gyebi II, who was sponsored by the government to oust Togbe Afede as President of the National House of Chiefs, is an ex-officio member of the Council, according to Article 89(2) (b).
The repetition of appointees in office by President Akufo-Addo, have left a sour taste in the mouth of many supporters and financiers of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP).
According to them, the action gives the impression a party like the NPP lacks the needed human resources to run the country.
Party insiders have argued that there is frustration and grumbling within the NPP over the retention of some of the appointees. Others members had hoped that they were also going to get the opportunity to serve in the government and gain the needed recognition they crave.
Some party members had been promised appointments in the second term and had worked hard for the party towards its re-election and were highly expectant but the retention of the appointees diminished their chances of serving the government hence they are unhappy.
The composition of the Council will be completed with the election of regional representatives, due to be held on 12th February 2021 in accordance with Article 89(2)(c).
The Council of State is to among other things counsel the President in the performance of his functions.
It may also, upon request or on its own initiative, consider and make recommendations on any matter being considered or dealt with by the President, a Minister of State, Parliament or any other authority.
“The Council is required to consider and advise the President or any other authority in respect of any appointment which is required by the Constitution or any other law to be made in accordance with the advice of, or in consultation with the Council,” Article 89 of the Constitution states.
It is required to meet at least four times a year.
Already, the Electoral Commission (EC) has opened nominations as part of processes for electing regional representatives to the Council of State.
The Commission in a statement indicated that qualified persons who intend to contest in the said elections should submit their nomination forms with two post-card size copies of recent photographs (bust) to the Regional Director of their respective Regions from Monday, February 1, 2021, to Thursday, February 4, 2021, between the hours of 9:00 am and 12:00 pm and 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm each day.
“Every Nomination must be proposed and seconded by two (2) registered voters and supported by twenty (20) registered voters in the Region. The consent of the candidate must be endorsed thereon.”
The Elections will be held in all Regional Capitals on Friday, February 12, 2021.
