Newly-appointed member of the Counicil of State, Justice Sophia Akuffo, has said he will not be a poodle of the President. “I am not going to be singing his master’s voice, so to speak,” the former Chief Justice said.
Speaking to journalists after the swearing in of the new 31-member council at the Jubilee House on Tuesday, February 18, she stated, “The Council of State is a body that is supposed to be advising the President. An adviser speaks with honesty. An adviser looks to the best interest not only of the person they are advising but of the function the person is serving.”
A former Speaker of Parliament, Edward Doe Adjaho is the chairman of the council.
‘I qualify’
Responding to a question, Justice Akuffo said “I am a former Chief Justice. Am I not? Do I or do I not qualify?”
“I am there in my own right simply as a former Chief Justice. I am not even there representing the Judicial Service.”
Challenges
Speaking after swearing in the members, President John Dramani Mahama urged them to provide informed guidance on governance, policy, and national development, leveraging their diverse backgrounds and experience.
He reminded them of the pressing challenges of the nation, including economic distress, social cohesion issues, and the need to strengthen democratic institutions, and urged them to help address them. “The time we find ourselves in, demands nothing less than selfless service, constructive dialogue and unwavering patriotism. Our nation faces complex challenges including economic distress, social cohesion issues and the need to strengthen our democratic institutions.
“In addressing these issues, your voices must be heard not in mere rhetoric but in an insightful actionable and transformative guidance that will propel our nation forward,” he stated.
