What do you want to know about the essence of Council State Establishment and Its Election

According to Article 89(1) of the 1992 Constitution, the Council of State is “to counsel the President in the performance of his functions.”

The Council of State advises the President to enable him to discharge his duties effectively.

The framers of the 1992 Constitution wanted a semblance of the council of elders that counsels a chief in the traditional political system.

Therefore, its crucial role cannot be underestimated.

The 1992 Constitution dedicates a whole chapter (Chapter 9) to the Council of State, which advises the President on the making of certain crucial appointments, such as the chairpersons and deputies of the Electoral Commission (EC).

the Auditor-General,

the Commission for Human Rights and Administrative Justice,

the Administrator of the District Assemblies Common Fund,

governing boards of public corporations, and many others.

Article 90 of the 1992 Constitution also gives the Council of State the power to consider bills signed by Parliament, which the President seeks to amend before assenting them into law.

Also, Article 91 gives the council the power to initiate or make recommendations on any matter being considered by the president or a minister of state.

Who qualifies to be a member of the Council of State consists of: –

(i) one person who has previously held the office of Chief Justice;

(ii) one person who has previously held the office of Chief of Defence Staff of the Armed Forces of Ghana;

(iii) one person who has previously held the office of Inspector-General of Police;

(b) the President of the National House of Chiefs;

(c) one representative from each region of Ghana elected, in accordance with regulations made by the Electoral Commission under article 51 of this Constitution, by an electoral college comprising two representatives from each of the districts in the region nominated by the District Assemblies in the region; and

(d) eleven other members appointed by the President.

Every four years, the Electoral Commission of Ghana organizes elections to fill the elected positions.

There is an Electoral College formed in every region to elect their representative.

Who qualifies to vote?

The College is made up of two representatives nominated by each District Assembly.

Who qualifies to contest

Any registered voter who is a citizen of Ghana is qualified to stand for election.

Nominations for each person must be proposed and seconded by two registered voters from the region and be supported by a further twenty voters from the area.

Date for the election

The elections will take place on Tuesday, 11th February 2025, at all regional capitals.