Former President John Agyekum Kufuor has proposed a major restructuring of Ghana’s Council of State to improve the transparency and quality of public appointments.
Kufuor emphasized that while the council is made up of distinguished individuals, its operations are often carried out behind closed doors, limiting public insight into crucial presidential advisories.
Kufuor suggested creating a more transparent and accountable body, which he referred to as a “house of wisdom and experience.”
This proposed council would include respected figures from national institutions such as traditional authorities, the religious community, academia, and individuals who have served in prominent public roles, like former Chief Justices, the former Inspector General of Police (IGP), and retired military officials.
In an exclusive interview with Joy News, Kufuor explained that the new body would consist of 50 to 60 members and play a key role in vetting nominations for high-level public offices.
By ensuring that these appointments are based on merit, he argued, the country would benefit from a higher standard of governance.
He also called for the body’s operations to be transparent and open to the public, allowing citizens to see the vetting process of nominated officials. “By conducting the vetting publicly, we will achieve better quality appointments than we have had so far,” he stated.
Kufuor also emphasized that the new council would operate independently, avoiding political bias, while providing valuable guidance to temper the excesses of democracy and foster more informed national decision-making.
He noted that such a body would complement the legislative branch, which remains the main house of democracy, but help ensure that decisions are more balanced and based on collective wisdom.
