Former President John Agyekum Kufuor is advocating for a radical overhaul of the Council of State's composition.

His proposal seeks to move beyond traditional appointments toward a more transparent framework, ensuring that the vetting of top public officials is guided by rigorous merit and impartial judgment.

According to him, the fact that important discussions and advice to the president usually happen completely behind closed doors can be a bit problematic.

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He argues that such secrecy means ordinary Ghanaians rarely get to see when the president actually listens to that guidance or quietly sets it aside.

In an interview with JoyNews, on March 9, 2026, the former president shared his vision for a better framework.

Instead of the existing setup, he wants to create what he calls a “house of wisdom and experience.”

This is expected to bring together respected voices from across Ghanaian society.

“I would rather have a second house as composed as I am trying to advocate, by the institutions like traditional authorities, the house of chiefs, the religious bodies, trade unions, academia and the individuals who have served the public in positions like the Former Chief Justice, Former IGP, Former CDS, people who have served with distinction and have retired,” he said.

“Picture a group of 50 to 60 such members, elders, chiefs, faith leaders, union reps, scholars, and retired top officials who've earned their stripes through years of honest service. Their main job? To openly vet people nominated for major public positions, making sure selections are truly based on merit, not connections or politics.

“When they sail through their vetting within such a body, publicly, then such a house should operate openly, I think we will get far better quality than we are getting so far,” he stated.

Kufuor emphasised that this wouldn't undermine democracy; it would actually protect it as the body would stay non-partisan, focus on facts and fairness, and help keep things balanced.

“To the advice, the house will also debate on all public issues. Their purpose is not to defeat democracy, no. The house of democracy is the legislature, but then, as I said, to temper the excesses of democracy,” he added.

In essence, the former president is asking Ghanaians to consider drawing on the country's wealth of experience and integrity to guide decisions more transparently and effectively.

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It's a proposal rooted in his long years in public life, aimed at making sure the best people rise to lead and that the public can see the process working as it should.

NA/VPO

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