A seasoned constitutional activist, private legal practitioner and lead convener of Democracy Hub, Oliver Barker-Vormawor has amplified calls for the abolishment of the Council of State from Ghana’s democracy.
Vormawor’s voice adds to that of countless others who have unequivocally called for the permanent removal of the Council of State from Ghana’s governance system.
“We completely agree” he emphasised on behalf of the popular pressure group Democracy Hub. The group has since its role in the #fixtthecountry and #stopgalamseynow demonstrations, been especially vocal on more issues of national interest.
“They are paid over 500,000 cedis for four meetings a year. They would want to keep that and we think that this is constitutionally unfair. It’s unfair on public workers, it’s unfair on teachers, it’s unfair on everybody”
Oliver Barker-Vormawor, Civil activist, Private Legal Practitioner and Chief Convener of Democracy Hub
Despite the constitutional and democratic provisions for the existence of the Council of State in Ghana, sections of the public are of the impression that the council’s function isn’t essential to the effective running of the state anymore and should be aborted.
Like Vormawor expressed, the belief that the council’s existence only wastes taxpayers money, and contributes little to nothing to the wellbeing of the state has taken root in the minds of some politically inclined individuals and keeps the debate about their relevance in circulation.
The Council of State serves as an advisory body to the President on issues of national significance, just like the Council of Elders does in a traditional political system.
It is by law composed of singular regional representatives, eleven government appointed members, a former Chief Justice of Ghana, a former Chief of the Defence Staff, a former Inspector General of Police and the president of the National House of Chiefs.
The regional representatives of the council are voted for in an electoral college every four years and stay in office until the President’s term ends. They meet four times yearly by mandate and also at the request of the President or parliament. They ultimately make inputs that influence the President’s and state’s decisions.
In the wake of Ghana’s prevailing problems over the decades, many have come to believe that the services of the council to the nation have become redundant and should be brought to an immediate end.
Regardless of their involvement in governance, Oliver Barker-Vormawor is one of those who believe firmly that the days of the Council of State should cease. “The council of state is a key player within constitutional reforms” Oliver admitted, before proceeding to call for their termination.
“We think that it is an institution that does not deserve to continue to be in our democracy but we must understand that for that to happen, it takes constitutional reforms”
Oliver Barker-Vormawor, Civil activist, Private Legal Practitioner and Chief Convener of Democracy Hub
According to the activist, getting rid of a body as enshrined in the country’s constitution and democracy as the Council of State requires a calculated and lawful approach, one that would uproot the provisions made for the council in the constitution.
“Democracy Hub, as many of you know, has decided to participate in the Council of State elections” he said of their approach towards achieving their goal. “One of our conveners, Kirchuffs Atengble, is on the ballot. We wanna give him every support that we can”
He explained Democracy Hub’s plan to place within the new Council of State an inside man, one of their own, who would then advance their mission to take it all down constitutionally.
He then campaigned for the Democracy Hub organiser and active member Kirchuffs Atengble, who is contesting for the upcoming Council of State elections in the Volta Region.
He assured the public that the move is geared towards achieving the kind of constitutional reforms that are needed by the country.
“We want to learn about the process, we want to be involved in pushing conversation about what is constitutionally possible in Ghana. This is why we have decided to participate in the process”
Oliver Barker-Vormawor, Civil activist, Private Legal Practitioner and Chief Convener of Democracy Hub
Vormawor believes firmly that the kind of drastic change that is being called for, with regards to the Council of State, cannot be achieved any other way, especially, not by expecting the council to just one day cease to exist.
“If we leave the council as it is, as a function, it will refuse to self delete because we are involved in the process of constitutional amendment. We want to be able to have persons who believe in the need for the council of state to disappear to be part of the process to ensure that. That’s why we are there. Without that, the council of state will continue to stay”
Oliver Barker-Vormawor, Civil activist, Private Legal Practitioner and Chief Convener of Democracy Hub
He expressed his conviction that “the process of ensuring the council of state disappears” warrants a “strategic” use of the council towards those ends. “That’s why we are participating in the process,” he said confidently and assuredly.
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