President John Dramani Mahama met with representatives from various civil society organisations yesterday to discuss the establishment of the Governance Advisory Council. The President emphasized that the Council is a key promise from his campaign, aimed at enhancing accountability and transforming Ghana’s governance system.
The Proposed Governance Advisory Council
The Council is envisioned as an independent watchdog, monitoring human rights, corruption, and overall governance in Ghana. According to President Mahama, an annual report on human rights, corruption, and governance will be crucial to transparency and progress. He reiterated his commitment to creating a transparent, accountable government that reflects the values of Ghana.
Recommendations for the Council’s Operations
During the meeting, a proposal was made for the Council’s operations, suggesting that public officials be held accountable through:
1. Signing onto a framework of openness and stakeholder co-creation of a defined vision for their department/sector.
2. Committing to open data and radical transparency.
3. Holding monthly hybrid townhalls to discuss procurement, performance, operations, and other key aspects.
4. Allowing citizens to join stakeholder groups and participate in decision-making processes.
Next Steps
A committee, comprising Alhaji Tanko of STAR-Ghana, Dr. Valerie Sawyer, and two other individuals, was recommended to review and submit potential ideas to make the Governing Council concept work or be scrapped. The outcome of this initiative is eagerly awaited, as it has the potential to significantly impact Ghana’s governance landscape.
Story By: Kwame Lawerh
