Ghana Minute.
Sunday, 23 August 2026
Ghana’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026
Sunday, 23 August 2026
Accra—:—London—:—New York—:—Beijing—:—
Ghanaian press · Organization

Council of State

Constitutionally-mandated advisory body that has advised against dual citizenship amendments and attended parliamentary events.

2026-04-262026-08-23

In coverage

Verbatim sentences from the source article.

  1. July 2026
  2. Joy Online

    The Council of State has advised against the passage of the Constitution of Ghana (Amendment) Bill, 2025, which sought to allow persons holding dual citizenship to occupy a defined list of sensitive public offices.

    Council of State advises against passage of Dual Citizenship Amendment Bill
  3. Joy Online

    A Ghanaian private citizen has petitioned the Council of State to intervene in the ongoing debate over the future of Gold Fields Ghana Limited’s Tarkwa mining lease, warning that any move to deny renewal of the lease could damage investor confidence and threaten Ghanaian business

    Gold Fields Tarkwa lease: Private citizen petitions Council of State to reject calls for non-renewal
  4. Joy Online

    In dismissing the two suits (consolidated) that challenged the President’s actions and the Council of State’s role, the Court clarified the process, upheld the self-executing nature of Article 146, and reinforced the calibrated timing of the right to be heard.

    The Law 101 – Supreme Court upholds constitutionality in removal of CJ Torkornoo
  5. Joy Online

    I submitted my petition to the President, who, in consultation with the Council of State, found merit in it on its face and on the evidence presented.

    Full Statement: DCOP Ayamga Akolgo explains his petition against former Chief Justice Torkornoo
  6. The Chronicle

    The Western Regional representative on the Council of State, Mr Maxwell Boakye, has also presented assorted relief supplies, while several philanthropists and corporate organisations have contributed food, clothing and other essential items.

    Samreboi Residents Return Home As Floodwaters Recede
  7. June 2026
  8. Business & Financial Times

    hey have already presented petition addressed to the Market Management Committee, the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly (STMA), the Western Regional Coordinating Council, Members of Parliament in the Western Region, the Western Regional representative on the Council of State

    No market, no tolls – Takoradi traders issue ultimatum
  9. The Chronicle

    When former Chief Justice Sophia Akuffo quietly resigned from Ghana’s Council of State, the public only learned of her departure months later—first through media reports and then through confirmation by presidential spokesperson Felix Kwakye Ofosu.

    The Council Of State: Appointment In Public, Resignation In Silence
  10. Joy Online

    When former Chief Justice Sophia Akuffo quietly resigned from Ghana’s Council of State, the public only learned of her departure months later—first through media reports and then through confirmation by presidential spokesperson Felix Kwakye Ofosu.

    The Council of State: Appointment in Public, Resignation in Silence
  11. Joy Online

    Speaking on JoyNews’ Newsfile programme while discussing her resignation from the Council of State, Mr Bentil praised Madam Akufo’s record in public service, highlighting what he described as her commitment to integrity and impartiality.

    Sophia Akufo proved political appointees can remain impartial – Kofi Bentil
  12. Joy Online

    Former Director of Legal Education and former Director of the Ghana School of Law, Kwaku Ansa-Asare, has criticised the composition of the Council of State, saying that it has become overwhelmingly partisan and no longer provides an environment where members can freely express in

    Ansa-Asare criticises Council of State, says body has become “100% partisan”
Mining & Energy

Volta Council member meets US investor on lithium exploration prospects

The News

The Volta Regional Representative on the Council of State, Dr Gabriel Tanko Kwamigah-Atokple, held discussions with American businessman John P. Rochon and CEO Al Lewis of Catalyst Green LLC on investment opportunities in the region, particularly lithium exploration and other natural resources. Dr Kwamigah-Atokple said his objective was to help translate the region's natural resources into sustainable investments that add value locally rather than exporting raw materials.

20 hours ago · Joy Online

Yesterday

  1. Volta Council member meets US investor on lithium exploration prospects

    The Volta Regional Representative on the Council of State, Dr Gabriel Tanko Kwamigah-Atokple, held discussions with American businessman John P. Rochon and CEO Al Lewis of Catalyst Green LLC on investment opportunities in the region, particularly lithium exploration and other natural resources. Dr Kwamigah-Atokple said his objective was to help translate the region's natural resources into sustainable investments that add value locally rather than exporting raw materials.

    20 hours ago · Joy Online

Thursday 20 August

  1. Council of State member says friendship offers no legal immunity

    Yaw Owusu Obimpeh, a Council of State member for Ashanti Region, has stated that no one is above the law and that friendship with political leaders cannot shield anyone from accountability, responding to Rev. Victor Kusi Boateng's comments about being willing to return to prison rather than abandon his friendship with former Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia.

    20 August 2026 · The Chronicle

Monday 17 August

  1. Parliament considers removing dual citizenship restrictions for public office

    Ghana's Parliament is considering constitutional changes to remove restrictions preventing dual citizens from holding certain high public offices, even as countries like Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom increasingly enforce rules requiring dual nationals to prioritize their citizenship according to each country's laws. The Council of State has advised against the proposed amendment, raising questions about whether those with legal obligations to other countries should occupy Ghana's highest offices.

    17 August 2026 · Joy Online

Saturday 8 August

  1. Opinion: Government delays payment to FSHS food suppliers

    An opinion piece argues that ordinary Ghanaians who supplied food items under the Free Senior High School Policy in Q4 2024 are waiting for payment, citing a norm that government pays for fourth-quarter services in the first quarter of the following year. The writer calls for President Mahama to ensure justice for these suppliers.

    8 August 2026 · Joy Online

Monday 3 August

  1. Government formalises waste transfer stations amid sanitation reforms

    Ghana's Local Government Minister announced plans to formalise waste transfer loading stations and integrate tricycle waste collectors into the country's long-term sanitation strategy. Five of six designated waste transfer stations in Greater Accra are now operational following President Mahama's directive to intensify waste removal efforts after recent refuse accumulation.

    3 August 2026 · Joy Online

  2. NPP unity requires experience, reason, moving past grievances

    Former NPP National Chairman Paul Afoko has called for the party to resolve internal challenges through reconciliation based on experience and members willingly setting aside past grievances, rather than through simple calls for unity alone.

    3 August 2026 · Joy Online

  3. Paul Afoko urges NPP unity, cites party experience

    Former NPP National Chairman Paul Afoko has called on party members to set aside personal grievances and work towards unity, stating that rebuilding cohesion requires members to move beyond past hurts and emotional reactions. He offered himself as an example based on his long association with the party and understanding of its structures and traditions.

    3 August 2026 · Joy Online

Saturday 1 August

  1. Waala chiefs alarmed by Wa Municipal Hospital's deteriorating condition

    Traditional leaders in the Waala State have expressed deep concern over the deteriorating condition of the 109-year-old Wa Municipal Hospital, which serves patients across the Upper West Region. The Medical Superintendent cited severe staff shortages (six doctors instead of 30, two specialists instead of 10), obsolete equipment, lack of surgical capacity, and debts exceeding GH¢5 million, warning the facility is on the verge of collapse.

    1 August 2026 · Joy Online

Friday 31 July

  1. Ho-Dome Queen Mother alleges vote-buying in Council of State election

    Mama Atrato II, Queen Mother of Ho-Dome, has alleged that delegates in the Volta Region's Council of State election were paid GH¢5,000 each to vote for particular candidates, and that delegates were transported and accommodated at a hotel in Sogakope. She attributed the Volta Region's slow development to the monetisation of the electoral process over competence.

    31 July 2026 · Joy Online

  2. Ho-Dome Queen Mother backs Council of State delegate system abolition

    The Queen Mother of Ho-Dome has expressed optimism that abolishing the delegate system in Council of State elections will enable the election of representatives genuinely committed to Volta Region's development, and address what she sees as the growing influence of money in selecting public office holders.

    31 July 2026 · Joy Online

  3. Ghana government backs lower presidential age to 35 years

    The government has accepted recommendations from the Constitutional Review Committee to reduce the minimum age qualification for the presidency from 40 to 35 years, amending Article 62(b) of the 1992 Constitution. The author argues this demonstrates confidence in young Ghanaians' capacity for national leadership and challenges age-based perceptions of political fitness.

    31 July 2026 · Joy Online

Thursday 30 July

  1. Government backs citizen-led constitutional amendments mechanism

    Ghana's government has accepted a proposal to introduce a citizen-initiative mechanism allowing Ghanaians to propose constitutional amendments, subject to meeting specified support requirements including minimum regional representation and gender-balance requirements. The government is proposing a higher threshold than the Constitution Review Committee recommended, though the article does not specify what threshold the committee proposed.

    30 July 2026 · Joy Online

Wednesday 22 July

  1. Bagbin hails NIB turnaround at book launch event

    Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin attended the launch of a book chronicling the National Investment Bank's transformation, describing erosion of public confidence in state institutions as the gravest threat to Ghana's democracy. The book, authored by Chief Dr Doliwura Awushi Abdul-Malik Seidu Zakaria, was launched at the British Council in Accra and attended by Members of the Council of State, Ministers, MPs, and the Governor of the Bank of Ghana.

    22 July 2026 · Joy Online

Tuesday 21 July

  1. Council of State dual citizenship stance risks Ghana's development finance

    An opinion piece argues that dual nationals serve as bridges for diaspora capital, remittances, and institution-building that have driven Ghana's economic development—citing examples like Databank and Ashesi University—and contends that excluding them would forfeit a critical source of development finance.

    21 July 2026 · Daily Guide

  2. Bawumia urges President Mahama to withhold assent to Tribunals Bill

    Former Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has appealed to President John Dramani Mahama to withhold assent to the Tribunals Bill, 2026 and allow national consultations, arguing the proposed legislation could fundamentally alter Ghana's justice delivery system and undermine public confidence in the judiciary. Dr Bawumia expressed concern over Parliament's decision to waive the mandatory one-day interval between Consideration Stage and Third Reading, and noted that the Trades Union Congress has called for the Bill's withdrawal, claiming it could become "a potent tool for weaponising justice delivery."

    21 July 2026 · The Ghanaian Times

  3. Dr Bawumia urges President Mahama to pause Tribunals Bill

    Former Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has appealed to President John Dramani Mahama to withhold assent to the Tribunals Bill, 2026, citing concerns that it could fundamentally alter Ghana's justice delivery system and undermine public confidence in the judiciary. Bawumia criticised Parliament's waiver of the mandatory one-day interval between consideration and third reading stages, and noted that the Trades Union Congress had called for the bill's withdrawal, describing it as a potential tool for weaponising justice delivery.

    21 July 2026 · The Ghanaian Times

Monday 20 July

  1. Bawumia urges Mahama to withhold assent to Tribunals Bill

    Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, the NPP flagbearer, has appealed to President Mahama not to assent to the Tribunals Bill, 2026, but instead hold broad consultations with key stakeholders. Bawumia said the bill, which Parliament passed after waiving the mandatory one-day interval despite objections from the Minority and organised labour, has the potential to reshape Ghana's justice system and warrants wider national discussion.

    20 July 2026 · The Ghanaian Times

  2. Bawumia urges Mahama to withhold assent to Tribunals Bill

    Former Vice President Bawumia has called on President Mahama to withhold assent to the Tribunals Bill, 2026, arguing that Parliament rushed the legislation through despite objections from the Minority and organised labour, and contending that such reform requires broader national consultation.

    20 July 2026 · The Chronicle

Sunday 19 July

  1. Bawumia urges Mahama to reject Public Tribunals Bill

    Former Vice-President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has called on President Mahama not to assent to the Public Tribunals Bill, 2026, passed by Parliament last week, arguing instead for broad stakeholder consultations on the legislation, which he says has far-reaching implications for Ghana's justice delivery system, judicial independence, and democratic governance.

    19 July 2026 · Joy Online

  2. Bawumia urges Mahama to pause Public Tribunals Bill

    Former Vice-President Bawumia has appealed to President Mahama not to assent to the Public Tribunals Bill, 2026, asking him to suspend the process and allow broad stakeholder consultations instead. Bawumia argues the legislation was rushed through Parliament despite objections from the Minority and organised labour, and says the Trades Union Congress has warned it could become a tool for weaponising justice delivery.

    19 July 2026 · Joy Online

Thursday 16 July

  1. Ghana's highest offices should require sole national allegiance

    An opinion piece argues that Ghana's highest constitutional offices should be held only by those with undivided allegiance to Ghana, and supports the Council of State Chairman's rejection of calls to permit dual citizens to occupy such positions, distinguishing citizenship from economic contribution.

    16 July 2026 · Daily Guide

  2. CCYDA honours Oguaa Omanhene and Dr Orleans-Lindsay award

    The Cape Coast Youth Development Association has dedicated its JoyNews Impact Makers Awards Corporate Partners Impact Award to Paramount Chief Osabarimba Kwesi Atta II and Dr James Condua Orleans-Lindsay in recognition of their contributions to youth empowerment and community development.

    16 July 2026 · Joy Online

Tuesday 14 July

  1. Ghana's highest offices should require undivided national allegiance

    An opinion piece argues that Ghana's highest constitutional offices should be reserved for those with allegiance to only one country, rather than dual citizens, prioritizing national sovereignty and security over economic contributions from the diaspora.

    14 July 2026 · Joy Online

  2. Cabinet holds final review of Ghana constitutional reform proposals

    Cabinet is holding its third and final session to review the government's position on proposals for constitutional reforms, following recommendations from the Constitutional Review Committee that include extending the presidential term from four to five years, ending the dual role of ministers in Parliament, establishing an independent Emoluments Commission, and reforming MMDCE appointments.

    14 July 2026 · Joy Online

  3. Okyehene pays tribute to late Ya-Na's peace legacy

    The Okyehene, Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin II, has expressed profound sorrow over the death of Ya-Na Abukari II, describing the late Overlord of Dagbon as a distinguished traditional ruler whose leadership advanced peace, reconciliation and national unity in the kingdom following years of chieftaincy conflict.

    14 July 2026 · The Chronicle

Monday 13 July

  1. Okyenhene mourns death of Ya-Na Abukari II of Dagbon

    The Okyenhene has expressed profound sorrow at the passing of Ya-Na Abukari II, Overlord of Dagbon, whom he described as a symbol of peace and unity whose reign resolved the protracted Dagbon chieftaincy crisis and advanced traditional leadership's role in national cohesion.

    13 July 2026 · Joy Online

  2. Okyenhene mourns Ya-Na Abukari II's death, praises peace legacy

    The Okyenhene has expressed sorrow over the death of the Overlord of Dagbon, Ya-Na Abukari II, praising him for resolving the Dagbon chieftaincy crisis through dialogue and reconciliation, and for promoting national cohesion and traditional leadership as a tool for development.

    13 July 2026 · Joy Online

Saturday 11 July

  1. Parliament urged to remove dual citizenship restrictions on public office

    Joy Online opinion argues that Parliament should complete the 1996 constitutional reform on dual citizenship by removing remaining restrictions that prevent dual citizens from holding offices such as MP, minister, ambassador, and heads of security services, countering the Council of State's objections with arguments from Ghana's 30-year experience under Act 527.

    11 July 2026 · Joy Online

Thursday 9 July

  1. Editorial: Council of State urges caution on dual citizenship bill

    The Chronicle editorial notes that the Speaker of Parliament has announced the Council of State has advised against passage of a constitutional amendment that would allow dual citizens to hold sensitive public offices such as Ambassador and Inspector-General of Police. While acknowledging potential benefits of accessing diaspora expertise, the editorial supports Parliament giving serious consideration to the Council's advice as a cautionary position.

    9 July 2026 · The Chronicle

Wednesday 8 July

  1. Council of State advice not binding on Parliament—amendment proceeds

    The MP for Mpraeso, a co-sponsor of the Constitution Amendment Bill 2025, says the Council of State's advice against the Bill is not binding on Parliament, and that the final decision rests with lawmakers who will proceed to committee scrutiny and parliamentary debate.

    8 July 2026 · Joy Online

Council of State — Ghanaian press coverage · Ghana Minute