Council of State must do more, not just advise the president

The newly elected Northern Regional representative on the Council of State, Alhaji Muhammed Mumuni, has advocated for an expanded role for the Council, emphasizing its potential to contribute more meaningfully to national governance beyond its current advisory mandate to the President.

The Council of State, established under Articles 89 to 92 of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana, serves as an advisory body to the President on matters of national importance. As outlined in the Constitution, “There shall be a Council of State to counsel the President in the performance of his functions.”

While the Council plays a crucial role in shaping national policy, Mumuni believes its full potential remains underutilized.

Speaking on Eyewitness News on Tuesday, February 11, 2025, he stressed the need for the Council to engage more actively with other governmental bodies, particularly Parliament.

“After 30 years of governance, we have seen what it can do. But we have also seen that it has not been allowed to operate in the full sense.

“When you give advice, it can either be taken or rejected. So, to be fair to the President, advice must necessarily be in-camera, which is okay. But we believe that the Council of State should engage more with other bodies like Parliament. For instance, with the challenge we had with the hung Parliament, we helped a lot.

“We saw the Council of State make a brief appearance when they went to meet the Speaker to try to cool tempers and bring about the necessary peace. We believe that the Council of State can do more,”* he added.

Following his election victory, Mumuni expressed his commitment to representing the Northern Region effectively, leveraging his extensive experience in governance.

“I have performed in many aspects of government—right from Assemblymember to being a presiding member. I have served in two cabinets, in the Rawlings and Mills administrations, and I have been a running mate. I believe the Northern Region could not make a mistake with the person they are sending.

“I have no doubt that I will contribute my quota, experience, and the knowledge I have gathered along the way to enhance the work of the Council of State in helping the President administer this country. The reset agenda is truly on,”* he affirmed.