Former Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Inusah Fuseini, has expressed concerns about the weakening of the Council of State, a vital institution designed to support governance in Ghana. According to Fuseini, the Council has been undermined by individuals with conflicting ambitions and excessive politicization, which has diminished its effectiveness ¹.
Ideally, the Council of State serves as an advisory body to the president and a support mechanism for parliament. However, Fuseini argues that the institution has been rendered weak due to unnecessary politicization and the overbearing influence of the executive.
The Council’s regional representation elections, held on Tuesday, were marred by violence and confusion in some regions. In the Ashanti Region, thugs stormed the election centre, destroyed voting materials, and allegedly assaulted journalists. The Electoral Commission was forced to suspend the election, and a new date has yet to be determined.
Similar incidents occurred in the Greater Accra Region, where clashes broke out between supporters of different candidates, and in the Volta Region, where allegations of vote-buying surfaced. Despite these challenges, other regions successfully organized the elections and elected young representatives.
Fuseini’s concerns about the Council of State’s weakening come at a critical time, as Ghana seeks to strengthen its governance institutions. The former minister’s emphasis on the need to depoliticize the Council and restore its effectiveness is crucial for promoting good governance and democracy in Ghana.
Source: Richard Nana Appiah Kubi/Ahotoronline.com
