Former Chief Justice Sophia Akuffo has justified her appointment to the Council of State by President John Dramani Mahama.
Speaking to the media after the swearing-in ceremony on Tuesday, February 19, 2025, Justice Akuffo dismissed claims that her appointment was influenced by her criticism of the previous New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration, led by former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
She emphasized that, as a former Chief Justice, she possesses the necessary qualifications to serve on the Council of State.
“What has that (her criticism) got to do with anything? I’m a former Chief Justice, am I not? Do I or do I not qualify?
“I’m there in my own right, simply as a former Chief Justice. I’m not even there representing the Judicial Service,” she said.
Justice Sophia Akuffo also indicated that she is going to speak truth to power in her role on the Council of State.
She said that she is always going to be candid with President Mahama in every piece of advice she gives him.
“The Council of State is a body that is supposed to be advising the President. I’m not going to sing my master’s voice, so to speak.
“An adviser does not parrot. An adviser speaks with honesty. An adviser looks to the best interest, not only of the person they are advising but of the function the person they are serving,” she said.
The Council of State was sworn in on Tuesday, were the former Speaker of Parliament, Edward Doe Adjaho, was elected as the chairman of the council.
The members of the Council of State include the former Chief Justice, Sophia Akuffo; the former Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Ahmed Alhassan; the former Chief of Defence Staff, Michael Samson-Oje; and the President of the National House of Chiefs, Ogyeahoho Yaw Gyebi II.
Others are: Chief of Akyem Kukuratumi, Daasebre Boamah Darko; the Paramount Chief of the Oguaa Traditional Area, Osabarima Kwesi Atta II; former Supreme Court Justice Vida Amankwah Akoto-Bamfo; the Paramount Chief of the Mankpan Traditional Area, Mankpanwura Jakpa Achor-Ade Borenyi I; former Zebila MP, Cletus Avoka; former Health Minister Dr Eunice Brookman-Amissah; former Attorney General Betty Mould Iddrisu; Cynthia Komley Adjetey; former Ambassador Molly Anim Addo; and the Queen Mother of Ayima Traditional Area, Nana Saa Gyamfuaa II.
The 16 regional representatives include: Maxwell Boakye representing the Western Region, Hakeem Addae – Central Region, Nene Drolor Bosso Adamtey I – Greater Accra; Gabriel Adovoe Kwabla Tanko Kwamigah-Atokple – Volta Region; Korang Evelyn – Eastern Region; Michael Addo – Western North Region; Okyere Yaw – Ahafo Region; Dr Kusi Boachie Yiadom – Bono Region.
The others are Pimampim Yaw Kagbrese V – Bono East Region; Richard Kings Atikpo – Oti Region; Alhaji Muhammed Mumuni – Northern Region; Abudu Seidu Sampson – Savannah Region; Michael Kwame Mumuni – Upper West Region; Thomas More Ditundini Adaili – Upper East Region; Naa Saaka Abuba – North East Region; and Yaw Owusu Obimpeh – Ashanti Region.
They were sworn in by President John Mahama at the Jubilee House on Tuesday, February 18, 2025, following their successful election as representatives of the 16 regions during the Council of State elections.
