Accra, March 17, Ghanadot/GNA- President John Evans Atta Mills
on Tuesday swore in and inaugurated 23 Members of the Council of
State group of eminent persons that is to advise the President.
He immediately directed them to work on the Chinery Hesse
Report.
The Report has sparked controversy in recent weeks over
ex-gratia and end of service benefits for former President
Kufuor and out-gone members of Parliament in the last
Administration.
The inauguration would see to the appointment of Boards of
Public Corporations.
The Members of the Council took the Oaths of Office, and Secrecy
and the President also presented to them their Instrument of
Appointment.
The 23 were, Lt.-Gen. Arnold Quainoo (rtd), former General
Officer Commanding the Ghana Armed Forces, Mr Peter Nanfuri,
former Inspector General of Police; Professor John Nabilla,
President of the National House of Chiefs; Mr J.H Owusu
Acheampong, elected to represent the Brong Ahafo Region; Nana
Asiama Poku Afrifa, elected to represent the Ashanti Region and
Pkan-Naa Mohammed Baba Bawah, elected to represent Ashanti
Region.
Others are Dr Bernard Kwasi Glover, elected to represent the
Volta Region; Very Reverend Dr Jacob Ayeebo, elected to
represent the Upper East Region; Mr George Kofi Dadzie, elected
to represent the Western Region; Naa Seidu Braimah, elected to
represent the Upper West Region; Osabirama Owusu Gyamadu III,
elected to represent the Eastern and Mr Ato Essuman, elected to
represent the Central Region.
The Presidential Appointees on the Council are Mrs Victoria Addy,
Mrs Cecilia Johnson, Prof Akilakpa Sawyerr, Prof. Kofi Nyidevu
Awoonor, Daasebre Kwubu VIII, and Alhaji Asoma Banda.
Other Appointees are Hajara Musa Ali, Alhaji Mahama Iddrisu,
Nana Akuoko Sarpong, Omanhene of Agogo Traditional Area; Otumfuo
Badu Bonsu XV and Rev Nii Amo Darko.
The Greater Accra Region is yet to elect its representative to
the Council of State.
Vic President John Dramani Mahama, who described the appointment
as well-deserved said the Council should was not a club of
pensioners or retirees, but a very critical institution, which
had not yet been used to the full.
He spoke of calls to have an Upper Chamber, and said the Council
was close to the Upper Chamber to review Bills.
Prof. Kofi Nyidevu Awoonor assured the President that they would
serve the nation with diligence.
He said they would support the Government but would be
forthright with the Government.
GNA
