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In line with its Constitutional mandate of advising the President, Ministers of State and government appointees as well as officials of institutions of governance, the Council of State at its fourth session from 27th to 30th April 2021 has met with the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, the Minister for Trade and Industry and the Leadership of Parliament.

According to the Secretary to the Council Mr William Kartey, the meeting with the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor focused on strategies for tackling the menace of “galamsey” [illegal mining] and its destruction of the environment, notably the forests, farmlands and water bodies.

In the press statement copied Peacefmonline.com, the Secretary to the Council indicated that the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources briefed the Council on enhanced measures being taken by his ministry including, “Operation Clean the River Bodies” and the “Greening Ghana Project”.

The Council of State has however pledged its support in the form of advocacy and donations of seedlings and other resources to the “Greening Ghana Project”.

The Minister for Trade and Industry, Mr Alan Kyerematen in the session with the Council of State briefed the Council on the measures adopted by his ministry to revitalized the Ghanaian economy through trade and industrialization in the face of the devastating effects of Covid-19.

He further updated the Council on the benefits of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to all countries on the African continent, such as direct job creation, skills development for the youth and an expanded market for trade and commerce.

The Council’s discussions with the Minister for Trade and Industry touched on many related issues such as intensifying engagements between academia and industry towards aligning educational curricula to the demands of the industry.

Again, the meeting between the leadership of the Council of State, the Speaker Rt. Hon. Alban S.K. Bagbin and the leadership of Parliament discussed the need for collaboration between the two bodies, such as the Council’s active involvement in the law-making process.

The meeting also discussed a number of issues of national interest including the need to critically examine the 1992 Constitution with a view to effecting the necessary amendments that have been necessitated by the practicalities of operating the Constitution for almost three decades.

The Council of State at the end of the session has resolved to sustain its engagements with all relevant institutions and personalities.