Nana Akomea, Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Communications Committee, has accused the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government of poor governance for leaving a constitutionally mandated position on the Council of State vacant for nine months.
His criticism follows the recent disclosure that former Chief Justice Sophia Akuffo resigned from the Council of State in September 2025, a development that only became public this week.
Speaking on Peace FM’s Kokrokoo programme on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, Nana Akomea argued that the 1992 Constitution requires the inclusion of a former Chief Justice on the Council of State to advise the President.
According to him, the position can only remain vacant if there is no eligible former Chief Justice available to serve. He noted that several former Chief Justices remain available, including Justices Georgina Theodora Wood, Kwasi Anin-Yeboah, and Gertrude Araba Esaaba Torkornoo.
He questioned why President John Dramani Mahama had not appointed a replacement since Justice Akuffo’s resignation, describing the prolonged vacancy as a violation of the Constitution.
“I am surprised by what is happening. I am struggling to understand the government’s intentions in leaving the position vacant following Justice Sophia Akuffo’s resignation in September 2025. It is only now, in June 2026, that the matter has become public,” he said.
Nana Akomea maintained that constitutional provisions should not be subject to political considerations and described the failure to fill the vacancy as an act of bad governance.
“If a constitutional position on the Council of State remains vacant for almost a year despite the availability of qualified former Chief Justices, then it raises serious concerns about respect for the Constitution. Such a situation should not be allowed to persist,” he stated.
He therefore called on President Mahama to appoint a replacement without further delay and ensure full compliance with the constitutional requirements governing the composition of the Council of State.
The government is yet to provide a detailed explanation for why the position remained vacant following Justice Akuffo’s resignation.
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