Date: [May 27th 2025]
Location: The Presidency, Jubilee House, Accra
Prepared by: [The Patrick]
1.0 Introduction
President John Dramani Mahama convened a high-level meeting with representatives of various Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) at the Presidency to deliberate on the formation of a Governance Advisory Council. This initiative forms part of a core commitment made during the President’s 2024 election campaign, aimed at enhancing accountability, transparency, and participatory governance in Ghana.
2.0 Purpose of the Meeting
The primary objective of the meeting was to engage key stakeholders from civil society on the proposed Governance Advisory Council, which is intended to serve as an independent body to advise and monitor government actions related to governance, human rights, and anti-corruption efforts.
3.0 Key Highlights
3.1 Presidential Remarks
President Mahama emphasized the central role of the Council in supporting good governance practices. He noted:
“This council is a commitment to the Ghanaian people, a promise to foster a more transparent and accountable government.”
He reiterated that the council would draw its strength from the collective expertise of civil society, religious leaders, traditional authorities, academia, labour groups, and ordinary citizens. Its work will be rooted in national values and the aspirations of the Ghanaian people.
3.2 Council Mandate and Functions
According to the President, the Governance Advisory Council will:
Act as an independent watchdog;
Monitor key governance indicators, particularly in human rights, anti-corruption efforts, media freedom, and justice;
Produce an Annual Governance Report, which will be made publicly available;
Provide actionable recommendations to guide government reforms and interventions.
“This annual report will not be just another document gathering dust on a shelf. It will be a living, breathing instrument for change,” President Mahama previously stated during his 2024 campaign engagements.
4.0 Implementation Strategy
The President announced that Dr. Valerie Sawyer, Senior Presidential Advisor for Governmental Affairs, has been appointed to lead the government’s efforts in establishing the Council. Her office will be responsible for coordinating with stakeholders and developing the framework for the council’s operations.
The meeting marks a significant step toward delivering on President Mahama’s promise to institutionalize accountability and citizen oversight in governance. The formation of the Governance Advisory Council reflects a bold move to bridge the gap between government and civil society, ensuring that national leadership remains aligned with the principles of democracy, transparency, and social justice.
SOURCES : DBlog | The Patrick | www.digirefera.com
PHOTO & IMAGE CREDIT : The Patrick / MC MULTIMEDIA
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