The former Chief Economist of the Bank of Ghana, Dr Assibi O. Abudu, has likened the supreme laws governing the country's affairs to autocratic governance.
Speaking in an interview on JoyNews’ AM Show Monday, the reputable economist explained that the 1992 Constitution has not evenly distributed the governance powers to the three arms of government to ensure they are sufficiently independent.
He noted that the constitution has given so much power to the Executive arm that, the Head of State becomes more of a dictator than a democratic leader.
“I don’t know where the 1992 constitution got its inspiration from but it doesn’t obey the laws of democracy. This is because democracy says we should have three separate wings, all of them, independent of each other with equal weight.
“But the 1992 constitution which I consider a coup d'état [does not do that]. Because if the President appoints the Chief Justice, all the judges and 50 per cent of our Ministers must be MPs which means we are mixing the Legislature with the Executive. That is not right; they are supposed to be independent,” he told host Benjamin Akakpo.
He argued that the high dependency of the Legislature and Judiciary on the Executive makes it difficult for the two to hold the Head of State and his appointees accountable.
“So when the President appoints everybody so to speak, what do you call that? You call that dictatorship,” he said.
The Political Scientist also suggested that the 1992 constitution must be changed every 25 years.
According to him, the country’s population doubles every 25 years, as such, it will be unrealistic to rule future generations with the laws of today.
“My feeling is that the constitution, whenever we get a new one, should include a provision that every 25 years we have a new constitution because, in democracy, you cannot tie future Ghanaians to obey what Ghanaians of today will do.”
Latest Stories
-
Ameri plant relocation strategic for grid stability – Kwabena Donkor
35 mins -
CAF Confederation Cup: Dreams face Zamalek, RS Berkane take on holders, USM Algiers
3 hours -
PURC could have found a better approach to settle issues with ECG – Dr Manteaw
3 hours -
CAFCC: John Antwi sure of positive result against Zamalek
3 hours -
I’ll choose Osofo Kyiri Abosom as my running mate over Akua Donkor – Prophet Kumchacha
3 hours -
LPG prices surge in Ghana, raising concerns over tax impact
4 hours -
I commend PURC for taking courageous step to fine ECG board members – Kwame Pianim
4 hours -
Financing assurance secured from bilateral creditors to aid 2nd review funding for Ghana – IMF Africa head
5 hours -
Man who set himself on fire outside Trump’s Manhattan hush money trial dies
5 hours -
Fuel purchase issues have nothing to do with personal interest – Egypa Mercer
5 hours -
ISRQ2024: Theorose School wins Championship with 0.5 points, heads to Canada
5 hours -
Use your voice, talents, skills to advocate for positive change – UniMAC VC tells graduates
5 hours -
Livestream: Newsfile discusses ‘dumsor’, Ex-MASLOC CEO jail and Election 2024
6 hours -
Otumfuo STEM Festival launched to find problem-solvers, promote science education
6 hours -
Irene Logan ties the knot in colourful ceremony
6 hours