The Deputy Director of Communications for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Richard Nyamah, says he agrees with business mogul Sam Jonah’s assertion that the 1992 Constitution needs a complete overhaul.
According to him, the 1992 Constitution has outlived its usefulness in many aspects and that must be fixed in order for the constitution to fully and appropriately serve the needs of the country and its people.
Sam Jonah in a speech delivered at a Rotary Club function stated that the 1992 constitution, the basis for the country’s current democratic dispensation has “created a monstrous executive which looms large over the other arms of the governance structure, and for 28 years, we have failed to make any meaningful changes to strengthen our democracy. Actually, what we have is an “Executocracy”, not a democracy.”
Agreeing with Sam Jonah, Richard Nyamah said, “I totally agree to an overhaul of our 1992 constitution. Our constitution has all the hallmarks of a military authoritarian, paternal overload handing out goodies to his faithful subjects.
“If we are not being hypocritical and pretentious, we all know how this came about and it is time to shed this negative character of our constitution.”
He added, “A hybrid between the British parliamentary system and the American executive Presidency with the later carrying the day is only symptomatic of our hypocrisy and pretense as a people.
“We want to be seen to be practicing separation of powers but in reality, the executive is in full charge of the three arms of government.”
According to him, the current practice of selecting 50% of ministers from parliament has effectively reduced the house to a rubber stamp for the executives thus undermining the authority of the legislature.
“Whose idea was it that over 50% of ministers should come from parliament? If this is not a control tool of parliament, I don’t know what else is. If I am in such a parliament, I would naturally want to catch the eye of the President and be part of his government, which means I cannot be critical of the government and the President. The true intention of most members of parliament, I dare say is to become a minister,” he stated.
Richard Nyamah said changing this law would not only gyarantee the independence of parliament, but will reduce the monetisation of politics “as only people interested in representing their people will show up to be elected thereby reducing numbers and competition.”
“However, the statues quo benefits every government that comes to power therefore the disinterest in changing this entrenched provision.
It is my prayer CSO’s, the media, the clergy and well-meaning Ghanaians will forcefully make a case for an overhaul of our constitution which has outlived its usefulness in many aspects,” he stated.
Latest Stories
-
Daniel Otting Awuah elected SRC President of Ghana School of Law
40 mins -
Lawrence Ati-Zigi signs St. Gallen contract extension
44 mins -
We should be careful not to destroy our institutions without just cause – Serebour Quaicoe
52 mins -
Cecilia Dapaah’s case: EOCO hasn’t requested for FBI report – Office of the Special Prosecutor
3 hours -
Andre Ayew scores 5th league goal as Le Havre beat Strasbourg
3 hours -
Ejisu by-election: NPP didn’t sanction money distribution to voters – Richard Ahiagbah
3 hours -
Ghana Health Service opens vacancies for 204 doctors, 25 dentists
4 hours -
Domestic tourism on the rebound with 1.4m visits to attraction sites in 2023 – GTA
4 hours -
Government working hard to complete Tema General Hospital project – Dr Okoe Boye
4 hours -
Ipswich Town seal Premier League promotion after 22 years absence
4 hours -
Accord journalists the respect due them – Opare Gyan
4 hours -
EPL: Arsenal beat Bournemouth to go four points clear of Man City
5 hours -
Cecilia Dapaah’s case: What’s happening now is a clear indication of cover-up – Amaliba
5 hours -
I felt rejected by Ghanaians – AY Poyoo
5 hours -
Terrorist cell of five Daesh supporters dismantled in Essaouira
5 hours