President John Dramani Mahama met with representatives of various Civil Society Organisations on Monday to begin consultations on the establishment of a Governance Advisory Council, a key campaign promise aimed at enhancing transparency and accountability in Ghana’s governance architecture.

The proposed Council is envisioned as an independent oversight body with a mandate to monitor and report on issues related to human rights, anti-corruption efforts, and overall governance performance in the country.

Addressing the stakeholders at the meeting, President Mahama reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to building a transparent and accountable government that aligns with the values and aspirations of the Ghanaian people.

“This is a key promise from my campaign, which is intended to enhance accountability and transform our governance system,” he said.

“The Council will serve as an independent watchdog, monitoring human rights, corruption, and overall governance in Ghana.”

A central function of the Governance Advisory Council will be the publication of an annual report assessing the state of governance, with a focus on human rights protection and anti-corruption efforts.

This, President Mahama noted, will be a vital tool for public accountability and democratic progress.

He further emphasised the importance of civil society participation in shaping the Council’s structure and mandate, stating that inclusive dialogue is critical to the legitimacy and effectiveness of the initiative.

The Governance Advisory Council is expected to operate independently of the executive, with representation from key sectors including civil society, academia, legal and human rights institutions, and the private sector.