Peduase (E\R), Jan. 24, GNA – President John Atta Mills on Tuesday met Members of the Council of State, some Ministers and officials of the Office of the President at the Peduase Lodge to deliberate on issues of national concern. In attendance at the meeting which would also take stock of the activities of Government in the last year was Vice President John Dramani Mahama.

Some of the Ministers present were Dr Benjamin Kumbuor, Minister of the Interior who is also Acting Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Mr Kwesi Ahwoi, Minister of Food and Agriculture, the Deputy Minister of Finance, Mr Seth Terkper and Mr Kofi Armah Buah, the Deputy Minister of Energy.

From the Office of the President were the Secretary to the President, Mr James K. Bebaako-Mensah and Mr Ben Eghan, Secretary to the Cabinet. There were also security chiefs at the meeting.

President Mills expressed his appreciation for the meeting and said it had been refreshing and rewarding due to the vast knowledge and experience of the members of the Council of State.

He commended the members of the Council for their collaboration with the government for the successes it has chalked over his three years in office. The President said Ghanaians had every right to expect more from the government and and that the government is not daunted and believed strongly that it could move the country forward for the benefit of the citizenry.

Professor Kofi Awoonor, Chairman of the Council of State, said 2011 was rather a very busy one and expressed the hope that the Members of the Council would meet the President more times this year.