President Mahama has sworn in a 31-member Council of States. The swearing-in ceremony of the newly appointed and elected members of Ghana’s Council of State took place in an official event presided over by President John Dramani Mahama. The event, attended by senior government officials, members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), ministers of state, and members of the media, marked an important constitutional process in the governance of the Republic of Ghana.
The ceremony commenced with a formal statement by the spokesperson of the president, setting the stage for the official proceedings. The newly elected chairman and Council of State members-designate were presented before taking their respective oaths.
Before the official swearing-in, the Spokesperson of President Felix Kwakye Ofosu introduced the chairman-designate and members of the Council of State. The chairman-designate for the council, as elected that evening, was the Rt. Hon. Edward Doe Adjaho, a former Speaker of Parliament representing the Volta Region, Rt. Hon. former Chief Justice, Justice Sophia Akuffo, Mr. Mohammed Ahmed Alhassan, a former Inspector General of Police, representing the Upper West Region, among others.
These individuals were acknowledged for their distinguished service to the nation and were prepared to assume their new roles within the Council of State.
The Oath of Office
The newly appointed and elected members were led to take the Oath of Office, as required by the 1992 Constitution of Ghana. The president administered the oath, guiding them through the solemn declaration of their commitment to serve the nation with integrity and diligence.
“I do solemnly swear, in the name of the Almighty God, that I will faithfully and conscientiously perform my duties as a member of the Council of State and uphold, preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the Republic of Ghana. So, help me, God.”
President John Dramani Mahama, Council of States-Designate
With this oath, the members affirmed their allegiance to the Constitution and their duty to advise the president on national matters.
The Oath of Secrecy
Following the Oath of Office, the Council of States-Designates took the Oath of Secrecy, reinforcing their commitment to confidentiality in their advisory role.
“I, holding the office of a member of the Council of State, do, in the name of the Almighty God, swear that I will not directly or indirectly communicate or reveal to any person any matter which shall be brought under my consideration or shall come to my knowledge in the discharge of my official duties, except as may be required for the discharge of my official duties or as may be specifically permitted by law. So, help me, God.”
President John Dramani Mahama, Council of States-Designate
This oath underscored the importance of discretion and responsibility in the execution of their mandate as council members.
Upon completion of the oaths, President Mahama presented the instruments of appointment to the newly sworn-in chairman and members of the Council of State. The first to receive his official appointment document was the chairman of the council, Rt Hon. Edward Doe Adjaho, followed by the rest. The president congratulated the members on their appointment and emphasized the critical role they would play in shaping national governance.
The ceremony concluded with expressions of gratitude to the president and a reaffirmation of the members’ commitment to serving the nation. With their swearing-in, the newly appointed members of the Council of State assumed their advisory roles, tasked with offering guidance to the presidency on matters of national interest.
The event marked yet another significant moment in Ghana’s democratic governance, as experienced statesmen and professionals took up the responsibility to support the executive in its decision-making process.
