President John Dramani Mahama has initiated formal consultations with representatives of prominent Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) to discuss the creation of a Governance Advisory Council, marking a significant step toward fulfilling a campaign pledge.
This program, which is at the heart of his 2024 presidential campaign, intends to change Ghana’s governance structure by encouraging responsibility, openness, and diversity in the use of political authority.
President Mahama described the composition, goals, and mandate of the soon-to-be Council during the meeting, which signaled a dramatic change from rhetoric to action.
President Mahama reaffirmed his resolve to create a government that is more responsive, accountable, and participatory by characterising the Council as a “commitment to the Ghanaian people.”
The President stated that the proposed Governance Advisory Council will function as an impartial watchdog with the responsibility of keeping an eye on and offering advisory opinions on important matters of national concern.
These include media freedoms, governance norms, anti-corruption initiatives, public sector integrity, and the defence of human rights.
Its inclusive and diverse membership, which includes representatives from academia, labor unions, civil society, religious and traditional authorities, and the general public, is intended to guarantee that it captures the whole range of Ghanaian society.
The Council is envisioned as a potent mechanism that draws on the knowledge and experience of various societal actors, President Mahama stated in a post-meeting statement released by the Presidency.
“President Mahama believes that by bringing together the wisdom and expertise of civil society, religious leaders, traditional authorities, academia, labour, and ordinary Ghanaians, we can create a powerful mechanism for ensuring that our governance truly reflects the values and aspirations of our nation”.
Presidency Communications
The creation of an annual report on Ghana’s governance situation will be a key component of the Council’s activities.
The government’s record on issues of human rights, corruption, judicial independence, law enforcement, and general governance will all be assessed in this report.
The President has made it clear that this report will not be viewed as a bureaucratic or symbolic endeavour. Instead, it will serve as a crucial accountability instrument intended to gauge advancement, highlight shortcomings, and spur reforms.
“This annual report will not be just another document gathering dust on a shelf. It will be a living, breathing instrument for change, holding us accountable and pushing us to do better on issues ranging from human rights violations and corruption to media freedoms and the fight against torture and crime.”
Presidency Communications
Presidential Commitment
In a personal statement, after the meeting, President Mahama reaffirmed the core justification for the Council’s formation.
“I met with representatives from various civil society organisations today to discuss the establishment of the Governance Advisory Council. This is a key promise from my campaign, which is intended to enhance accountability and transform our governance system.”
HE President John Dramani Mahama
He reaffirmed his vision for a governance model rooted in openness and fairness, asserting that the proposed council will be an independent watchdog, monitoring human rights, corruption, and overall governance in Ghana.
“An annual report on human rights, corruption, and governance will be key to transparency and progress”, President Mahama remarked, underscoring his commitment to creating a transparent, accountable government that reflects the values of the country.
President Mahama ended with a call to collective nation-building: “Let’s build the Ghana we want together!”
Council’s Operationaliation
The government has designated Dr. Valerie Sawyerr, a Senior Presidential Advisor for Governmental Affairs, to spearhead the Council’s operationalisation.
In order to finalize the Council’s composition, structure, legal framework, and operating procedures, Dr. Sawyerr is anticipated to work in conjunction with the participating civil society organisations.
President Mahama has made a conscious and calculated attempt to ground the Council in legitimacy and public trust by involving prominent CSOs in these early discussions.
Representatives from some of Ghana’s most prominent civil society organisations, such as the Ghana Integrity Initiative (GII), the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), the Ghana Journalist Association and the IMANI Centre for Policy and Education, attended the high-level meeting at the Presidency.
The Institute for Democratic Governance (IDEG) and the Ghana Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana), Network for Women’s Rights in Ghana (NETRIGHT) were among the other civil society organisations in attendance.
The creation of the Governance Advisory Council could mark a sea change in how citizens interact with the government as Ghana struggles with growing demands for more robust democratic institutions, increased accountability from the public sector, and less political impunity.
Although the specifics of the Council’s legislation and enforcement authority are still being worked out, the Mahama administration’s political will thus far, along with the robust support of civil society, marks the start of a new era in Ghana’s democratic history.
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