The immediate past Chief Justice, Mrs Georgina Theodora Wood who retired on June 8, 2017 has been sworn in as a member of the Council of State.
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo swore her in on Tuesday morning to help complete the 25-membership of the council which was short by one person.
The constitution states that out of the 11 to be appointed by the president, there should be one retired Chief Justice, a retired Inspector General of Police and a retired Chief of Defence Staff.
At the time President Akufo-Addo swore in the current council, there was no living retired Chief Justice and so Mrs Wood’s addition helps to complete the membership to fulfil the constitutional requirement.
The Council of State has a very significant role to play in the governance of the country, as it is enjoined by the 1992 Constitution (Chapter 9, Article 89) to "counsel the President in the performance of his functions".
Its advisory role is akin to what pertains in many families where there are elders to be consulted, especially when very difficult decisions have to be taken or when there is a crisis that requires wisdom to have it resolved.
Specifically, the council is to “consider and advise the President or any other authority in respect of any appointment which is required by the Constitution or any other law to be made in accordance with the advice of, or in consultation with the council”.
Source: graphic.com
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