Lawyer and Researcher, Oliver Barker-Vormawor, says Ghanaians should not be fixated on constitutional longevity to the detriment of how citizens build a just society.
According to him, the argument that Ghana’s constitution is old and thus must be protected does not sit right with the citizens’ quest for an equitable nation.
Speaking on JoyNews’4th Edition of the Change Speakers’ Series on the need for a new constitution, he noted that it was time the country breaks its fascination with things considered old and untouchable in favour of equity and justice.
“We cannot be fixated over constitutional longevity to the detriment of how we build a just Society together. Old Constitutions do not produce justice just because they are old. There is nothing more detrimental to nation building than a blind fascination with things considered old and untouchable. If not, we become the abused wife who is still devoted to his abusive and alcoholic husband because she does not know how to live differently.
“In fact, in 1980, when Samuel Doe and a small number of soldiers overthrew President William Tolbert in Liberia, they were also overthrowing a Constitution that had been in force since 1847. Let the Liberian example be our guiding post. Old Constitutions do not stop Coups, only a true democracy that guarantees for its citizens the fruits of justice and the equality of opportunity and prosperity,” he said.
Barker-Vormawor stressed that the 1992 constitution has lost the capacity to generate a framework for justice or to secure for us the blessings of equal opportunity and prosperity.
“Its soul and spirit have been compromised by a generation of greed and decay,” he said.
He said the 1992 Constitution has been complicit in the exclusion and violence that has characterised Ghana’s democracy for the past 30 years thus justifying his call for a new constitution.
“A Republic where soldiers can walk into and brutalize an entire community because one of them lost his yam phone. Where our military can with the blessings of our president and his appointees descend on a community with the heavy machinery our taxes paid for, to lash, slash and maim over 2000 people in Ashaiman because one of their own had been killed by thieves.
“And when they are done, they gloat on national TV in front of an impotent President and a demoralized people. Where those with access and privilege, members of the ruling class, call the Military secretly to congratulate them for unleashing their terror and inhumanity on us!” he said.
“And Yet our Constitution keeps silent? Speak if you are alive! Protect us if you are not dead! When those charged with giving life to a constitution can look the other way as so many of our people hunger and die, without any sense of obligation or shame; when Ghanaians are killed at will and randomly with impunity from Ejura to Techiman; when our existence as citizens is only tolerated by a political class that has not yet to found the way to get rid of us; where our cry for the Freedom and Justice our father’s promised us is mocked; How dare you tell me that this is a Constitutional Democracy,” he added.
Latest Stories
-
‘No one is above the law’ – CAF president on match-fixing allegations against Samuel Eto’o
7 mins -
Manchester City thrash Brighton to go second in table
24 mins -
NDC’s running-mate speech proves readiness to lead – Asah-Asante
42 mins -
Further win for nibima as another KNUST study supports medicinal prowess
44 mins -
World Bank’s food price index eases; maize, wheat prices hit 3-year low
2 hours -
2020 polls all about pulling Ghana back from precipice of destruction, corruption – Naana Jane
2 hours -
Guru expresses interest in contesting SRC election at UG
2 hours -
Oil prices projected to average $84 in 2024 – World Bank
3 hours -
Meet 2 Ghanaian entrepreneurs on a mission to connect 1m African professionals to global companies by 2034
3 hours -
NCA approves Starlink’s satellite broadband application
3 hours -
Government orders FGR to revamp mining operations; assures workers of commitment to their welfare
3 hours -
Arne Slot philosophy could suit Liverpool – Van Dijk
3 hours -
EC replies Mahama: You also appointed someone who was tagged NDC
3 hours -
See colourful outdoor of Prof Naana Opoku-Agyemang as NDC’s running mate
4 hours -
Akufo-Addo commissions 15MWP Kaleo Solar Power Plant
4 hours