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Prove your critics wrong …President Mahama urges reconstituted Council of State

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• President Mahama (inset) swearing in the Council of State members

President John Dramani Mahama has charged the newly constituted Council of State to prove those who question their relevance in the current dem­ocratic dispensation wrong.

At the swearing in of the Council at the Presidency in Accra on Tuesday, President Mahama said the new Council has a golden opportunity to purge itself of criticisms it has faced in recent times by living beyond reproach.

“In recent times, the Council of State has come under criticism from an expectant public who perceive their work as unsatis­factory and merely one designed to rubber stamp executive decisions.

“Some have even questioned the very relevance of the Council of State and called for it to be scrapped. I hold out hope that your tenure may convince those who may doubt your functional necessity about your importance and put to rest any such percep­tions,” President said.

The 31-member Council, chaired by a former Speaker of Parliament, Edward Doe Adjaho, is to counsel the President in the performance of his functions as provided for in Article 89(1) of the 1992 Constitu­tion.

It is made up of three institutional representatives, 11 persons appointed by the President, 16 elected regional represen­tatives and the president of the National House of Chiefs.

According to President Mahana, the man­date of the Council is not merely ceremoni­al but one of profound responsibility with high expectation of them to offer their wise counsel on matters of governance, policy and national development, drawing from their diverse backgrounds and experiences.

“The times we find ourselves in demands nothing less than selfless service, construc­tive dialogue, and unwavering patriotism,” he noted.

Ghana, President Mahana said faced complex challenges including economic distress, social cohesion issues; and the voice of the Council must be heard, not in mere rhetoric but in insightful, actionable and transformative guidance in addressing the challenges.

The citizenry, President Mahama said have indicated their revulsion for poor gov­ernance and have come to expect nothing short of quality administration of their affairs.

“As you take office, I urge you to be guid­ed by the principles of integrity, objectivity and above all the national interest.

“Let your deliberations be marked by sincerity, your advice rooted in wisdom and your service inspired by the supreme wel­fare of the people of Ghana,” he entreated as he expressed confidence in the team to counsel him to deliver on his mandate.

Chairman of the Council, Mr Adja­ho, said they were not oblivious of the challenges that confront the country and would guide the President to deliver on his mandate.

“I want to assure you on behalf of the Council that we will support you in the gov­ernance…and assure you that this Council will be a Council of difference,” Mr Adjaho said.

The appointed members of the Council are Daasebre Boamah Darko, Chief of Akyem Kukurantumi, Osabarima Kwesi Atta II, Paramount Chief of Oguaa Tradi­tional Council, Vida Amankwanua Ako­to-Bamfo, retired Justice of the Supreme Court.

Others are Mankpawura Jakpa Achor-Ade Borenyi I, Paramount Chief of Mankpan Traditional Area, Cletus Avoka, former MP for Zebilla, Dr Eunice Brook­man-Amissah, former Health Minister, Betty Mould Iddrisu, Former Attorney General, Cynthia Komle Adjetey, former Ambassador, and Nana Saa Gyamfuaa II, Queen Mother of Ayima Traditional Area.

The institutional reps are Sophia Akuffo, a former Chief Justice, Mohammed Ahmed Alhassan, a former Inspector-General of Police, and Air Marshal (Rtd) Michael Sam­son-Oje, a former Chief of Defence Staff and Ogyeahoho Yaw Gyebi II, president of the National House of Chiefs.

The elected reps are Maxwell Boakye, Western Region; Hakeem Addae, Central; Nene Drolor Bosso Odamtey I, Greater Accra; Gabriel Adovoe Kwabla Tanko Kwamigah-Atokple, Volta; Evelyn Korang, Eastern; Michael Addo, Western North; Yaw Okyere, Ahafo and Dr Kusi Boakye Yiadom, Bono.

The rest are Pimampim Yaw Kagbrese V, Bono East; Richard Kings Atikpo, Oti; Alhaji Mohammed Mununi, Northern; Abudu Seidu Sampson, Savannah; Michael Kwame Mununi, Upper West; Thomas More Ditundini Adaili, Upper East; Yaw Owusu Bimpeh, Ashanti and Naa Saaka Abuba, North East.

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New AMA Boss begins work with departmental tour, pledges cleaner, safer, inclusive Accra

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Michael Kpakpo Allotey, newly confirmed Mayor of Accra, officially began work at the Accra City Hall on Monday, outlining his vision to “reset” the capital city through a renewed focus on cleanliness, safety, inclusivity, and opportunity for all.

Mr.Allotey, who arrived at the office at exactly 8:30 am, was received by the Coordinating Director,Mr.  Douglas N.K Annoful, Heads of Departments and units, as well as staff of the Assembly.

In a brief address, he declared his intention to pursue a cleaner, safer, and more inclusive Accra, adding that the city “deserves a reset.”

“My vision is to create a city that is clean, safe, and green with opportunities for all,” he said, stressing that sanitation, law enforcement, and youth employment would be at the forefront of his administration’s priorities.

The Mayor, who was confirmed by the Assembly last week, noted that as a young person, he could not be associated with failure.

He noted that the city must undergo significant transformation, insisting that “whatever we are doing must change.”

He aligned his agenda with the national vision by recalling the President’s remarks, saying that just as Ghana was undergoing a reset, every part of the country, including Accra, would also be reset.

As part of his first-day activities, Hon. Allotey  toured the Assembly’s departments and units to gain first-hand insight into their operational mandates, ongoing projects, and implementation status

He visited key administrative and executive offices, including the Coordinating Director’s Office, the Director in Charge of Operations, and the Office of the Presiding Member, as well as engaged with staff from the Finance, Accounting, Budgeting, Procurement, and Cash Offices to better understand the Assembly’s fiscal structure.

Departments such as Human Resources, Planning, Business Development, and Audit also had the opportunity to brief the Mayor on their mandates and current operational status.

The tour further included visits to units overseeing internal services and public engagement, such as records management, stores, the MIS and CCTV monitoring units, the Public Affairs Directorate, the Client Service Centre, the Marriage Unit, Transport Office, Facility Management Unit, the Migrant Desk, and the Library.

The day also saw courtesy visits from various stakeholders, including traditional leaders, among others.

Mr.Allotey, a seasoned entrepreneur and logistics expert, brings over a decade of experience in the real estate, petroleum, and transportation sectors.

Before his appointment, he served as the Chief Executive Officer of Our God Is Good Real Estate, where he led the delivery of affordable housing units in peri-urban Accra.

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UNESCO delegation pays courtesy call on Gender Minister to deepen collaborative

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The Head of Office and Representative of UNESCO to Ghana, Mr. Edmond Moukala, led a delegation to pay a courtesy call on the Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Hon. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, to explore strategic areas of collaboration aimed at advancing inclusive education, gender equality, and youth empowerment.

The discussions focused on promoting educational opportunities for young mothers, empowering them to return to school, and addressing the persistent stigma that limits their ability to thrive.

Both parties recognised the importance of inclusive policies and interventions that allow young mothers to pursue their education without discrimination.

Other key areas of interest included the provision of training in entrepreneurship and digital skills for women and girls. These efforts are expected to enhance economic empowerment and promote self-reliance among women.

The delegation also discussed in-depth issues related to gender-based violence and the urgent need for stronger advocacy and preventive measures. There was mutual agreement on the importance of integrating gender and reproductive health education into all educational curricula to help foster safer and healthier learning environments for children and adolescents.

The engagement further highlighted the need to promote girls’ participation in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) and support women in the media space, thereby opening doors for leadership and representation in key sectors.

The Minister acknowledged that the Ministry, being a cross-cutting institution, works collaboratively with nearly all other Ministries to ensure that the needs of women, children, and other vulnerable populations are mainstreamed into national development.

She noted that UNESCO’s support aligns strongly with the government’s broader development goals.

She emphasized the Ministry’s commitment to championing the President’s priorities which include: gender equality, inclusive education, youth empowerment, and poverty reduction.

Also present at the meeting was the Chief Director of the Ministry, Dr. Afisah Zakariah.

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Special Prosecutor pays courtesy call on IGP 

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The Special Prosecutor, Mr. Kissi Agyebeng, on Thursday,  May 8, 2025, paid a courtesy call on the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Christian Tetteh Yohuno, at the National Police Headquarters. 

The visit formed part of efforts to forge closer institutional ties and explore avenues for enhanced collaboration between the Ghana Police Service and the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP).

Key areas of discussion included strengthening inter-agency cooperation and seeking operational support from the Police to advance the work of the OSP.

 Also present at the meeting were some members of the Police Management Board (POMAB) and the Director of Investigations at the OSP, Mr. Emmanuel Basintale.

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