Oliver Barker-Vormawor has renewed efforts to abolish the Council of State, calling it as an outmoded organization with no use in modern governance. In a sharp Facebook post, the legal expert and activist questioned the advisory body's relevance, claiming it had become a financial burden on the state.

"The Council of State is a white 'elephant,'" Barker-Vormawor argued, claiming that it fails to meet its role of providing substantial checks on presidential power. He questioned the system of relying on "a gang of octogenarians" to act as the president's moral compass, saying, "It didn't work for Nana Addo. I'm not sure who we expect it to work with.

Barker-Vormawor believes that Ghana's governance architecture lacks adequate systems to ensure accountability. "Mainstream accountability rather than expecting a band of octogenarians awaiting ex-gratia to keep the President's worse impulses in check," he claimed, implying that reforms should focus on empowering institutions rather than preserving ceremonial advising roles.

The Council's financial ramifications also irritated him. Barker-Vormawor advocated that funds provided to the Council, including ex-gratia payments, be reallocated to critical national needs. "We can save that ex-gratia money for better purposes," he said, advocating for more responsible use of public funds.

The activist's post revived debate over the Council of State's utility. While some defend its advising role and symbolic significance, others, like Barker-Vormawor, see the organization as a waste on resources. His words have fueled continuing arguments concerning constitutional revisions and the effectiveness of Ghana's government mechanisms.


source; https://web.facebook.com/share/p/18GifSvEXB/