Former President John Agyekum Kufuor has emphasised that properly structured governance institutions are essential for delivering efficient public service and strengthening democracy.

Speaking in an interview on the JoyNews AM Show, the former president said that although the country must contend with the adverse effects of a challenging economy and external pressures, equal attention must be paid to restructuring governance institutions to function effectively.

According to him, strong institutions are critical for national development, but their effectiveness depends largely on the people who occupy positions within them.

Mr Kufuor recalled remarks by former Barack Obama, President of the United States, during his visit to Ghana, when he stressed the importance of building strong institutions.

While broadly agreeing with that view, he explained that institutions cannot deliver quality outcomes if they are not staffed by competent and principled individuals.

He stressed the need to design governance systems that allow institutions to check one another, ensuring accountability and balance in the exercise of power.

Such a framework, he said, would encourage the appointment of people of merit to positions within the executive and across the wider public sector.

“If we structure the system well, the executive and the general public sector will tend to be populated by people of merit,” he stated.

Mr Kufuor added that this would lead to better management of the economy and improved delivery of public services.

He also highlighted the importance of a strong and independent judiciary, noting that when courts pronounce on matters of law and the Constitution, their decisions must reflect sound legal reasoning.

The former president said that a well-structured system staffed by capable individuals would strengthen public confidence in democratic governance.

According to him, when citizens see fairness, competence and objectivity in institutions, they will develop greater trust in a democratic system that protects the dignity and rights of every individual.