Prof. Henry Kwasi Prempeh, the esteemed chairman of Ghana's Constitution Review Committee, has strongly advocated for comprehensive reforms of the Council of State rather than its outright abolition. Speaking on Joy News on December 25, Prof. Prempeh emphasized the critical role of the institution within Ghana's deeply polarized political landscape, stating that such an environment necessitates a neutral body to provide balance and reflection. He described the Council of State as a unique constitutional innovation, deeply rooted in Ghana’s traditional system of governance, drawing parallels to a council of elders. To discard such an authentically Ghanaian institution, he argued, would be a profound loss.

Despite his defense of the Council's continued existence, Prof. Prempeh acknowledged the widespread public dissatisfaction surrounding its current state. Evidence gathered by the committee highlighted significant concerns regarding its independence, composition, and relevance. Public sentiment indicated that the Council was not sufficiently independent, often seen as dominated by appointees of the President, lacking political and class diversity, and operating with a troubling degree of opacity. Questions were frequently raised about its activities and transparency, leading to a perception that 'what they do, we don’t know.'

In response to these legitimate grievances, the Constitution Review Committee has proposed significant reforms aimed at revitalizing the Council. A primary objective is to reduce presidential dominance, ensuring that the body is not merely comprised of