H. E. President John Dramani Mahama on Monday 26th May, 2025, met with the representative from various civil society organizations to discuss concerns about the establishment of the Governance Advisory Council (GAC)
According to President Mahama, this was a key promise from his campaign, which is intended to enhance accountability and transform the country’s governance system. The Council will be an independent watchdog, monitoring human rights, corruption, and overall governance in Ghana.
An annual report on human rights, corruption, and governance will be key to transparency and progress. I am committed to creating a transparent, accountable government that reflects the values of our beloved country. “
I suggested that the Governing Council should be the fulcrum around that we can exact accountability from all public officials in the manner prescribed below.
- Ministers and chief directors should sign on to a framework of openness and stakeholder co-creation of a defined vision for their department/ sector.
- They should commit to open data and radical transparency.
- They should hold monthly hybrid (physical and virtual) townhall where every aspect of the procurement, performance, operations, milestones tracking, and monitoring & evaluation elements shall be openly discussed. Any answers not immediately available shall be made available within a week.
- Ctizens who tune in can join the stakeholder group for the Vision. A simple digital enrolment system shall be used to keep things organised.
. - Every month, a poll shall be taken to take the pulse of the stakeholder group. Only stakeholders who made it to at least one of the townhalls can participate.
- At the six month mark, they will be celebrated for the progress made and given feedback to improve.
- The above will not replace the formal audits and other PFM controls. Our hope is that it will invigorate them, bring the essence in them to the fore and make them more meaningful to citizens.
At the end of the meeting, CSO leaders present recommended, Alhaji Tanko of STAR-Ghana, Dr. Valerie Sawyer, one other Lady and myself to receive recommendations, review and submit potential ideas to make the Governing Council idea work or be scrapped.