Members of the newly constituted 31-member Council of State chaired by the Omanhene of the Juaben Traditional Area, Nana OtuoSiriboe II were sworn into office yesterday by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo
Addressing the members after administering the oaths of allegiance, office and secrecy at a ceremony held at the Jubilee House, President Akufo-Addo said the Council has taken office at a very difficult time in the history of the nation and the world because of the surge in corona virus cases.
“You have been sworn in at a difficult time in the history of our country and indeed of the world. We are confronted with the ravages of COVID-19 which has affected the livelihoods and lives of all Ghanaians,” he said.
He however, said the country has seen a rebound in economic activities even in the midst of the surge in COVID-19 cases.
“These gains are now being threatened by the rising number of active cases in the so called second wave that is sweeping across the world. Winning the fight against the pandemic remains a collective duty and responsibility.”
The President therefore appealed the members of the new Council of State to help the government in fighting the pandemic and expressed the hope and optimism that the Eighth Council of State of the Fourth Republic will be proactive in its work.
“We still have challenges of the phenomenon of illegal mining, popularly referred to as ‘galamsey’, corruption in public life, and we need to enhance the efficiency of the State’s administrative machinery. In all these, I expect you to be proactive partners in our common efforts to find solutions that will improve the lives of our people, and safeguard the integrity of our nation and its heritage,” the President said.
He added “I look forward very much to working with a Council that will offer me honest advise based on unvarnished truth. I look forward to working with a Council that will help deepen our democracy and help enhance the quality of our governance and I look forward to working with a Council that will help us deliver a prosperous Ghana.”
For his part, the Chairman of the Council of State, Nana OtuoSiriboe II who spoke on behalf of his colleagues pledged the commitment of the Council to working closely with the President and his office to ensure that they make pertinent contributions to his agenda aimed at the total transformation of the country.
“Be assured, Mr. President, of our commitment to give fair and sincere advise at all times that will promote the national interest,” he said.
He asked members to as a matter of priority, bring their rich experiences to bear to help in Ghana’s fight against the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Members of the newCouncil of State include Lawyer Sam Okudzeto, Justice Georgina Wood (a retired Chief Justice), Stanley NiiAdjiriBlankson, TongraanKugbilsongNanlebegtang, Lt. Gen. J. B. Danqugh (Rtd CDS), Ogyeahohoo Yaw Gyebi II (House of Chiefs), Ambassador Nana Owusu-Nsiah (former Inspector General of Police), Professor Margaret Ivy Amoakohene, Paa Kofi Ansong, Alhaji SulemanaYirimea, Mrs. Georgina Adepa Konadu Kusi, Kuoro Richard BabiniKanton VI and Alhaji AminuAmadu.
The rest are Mrs Alberta Cudjoe, ProfessorAtoEssuman, Archbishop Justice OfeiAkrofi, Nana Owusu AchiawBrempong, Francis Albert Seth Nyonyo, KodwoAgyenim-Boateng, Eunice Jacqueline BuahAsoman-Hinneh,Enoch Teye Mensah, MahamoudTaniruZunglana, AzumahNamoroSanda, Yaw Basoa, Daniel Anlieu-MwineBagah, Adam Zakaria, Richard Kings Atikpo, KatakyeiKwasiBumagama, OdeefuoAfankwalll known in private life as Emmanuel Baidoo and OseadeeyoAkumfiAmeyaw IV (Omanhene of Techiman).
By Charles Takyi-Boadu, Presidential Correspondent