Council of State Shouldn’t be About Money – Agyeman-Duah
Council of State Membership Shouldn’t be About Making Money – Prof. Baffour Agyeman-Duah
Prof. Baffour Agyeman-Duah, a former UN Advisor on Governance, has slammed the Council of State, questioning its relevance and criticizing the hefty ex-gratia payments made to its members. He believes the council’s role is being undermined by its focus on financial gains rather than serving the nation.
The Agbogbomefia of the Asogli State, Togbe Afede XIV, recently returned some GHC365,000 ex-gratia payment, sparking a debate about the council’s purpose. Prof. Agyeman-Duah argues that the payment of such large sums is unfair to ordinary public servants who earn significantly less.
He questions the council’s effectiveness, pointing out that it rarely rejects presidential appointees. “Have you ever heard of a case where the Council of State said ‘no, Mr. President, this guy has a bad record, we don’t want him’?” he asked.
Prof. Agyeman-Duah suggests that the “winner-takes-all” system in Ghana’s democracy contributes to the problem, creating an environment of exclusivity and heightened tensions. He advocates for reforms, such as proportional representation and decentralization, to make the system more inclusive.
The governance expert’s comments highlight the need for a review of the Council of State’s role and compensation structure to ensure it serves the nation’s interests rather than personal gain.
