FROM:
Daniel Y Dayee, Sunyani
Members of the Constitution Review Committee (CRC) have called on Ghanaians to ensure that the recommendations from the ongoing constitutional review are implemented after submission to President John Dramani Mahama. The committee, chaired by Prof. Henry Kwesi Prempeh, has been engaging with the public across the country to collect views on the review of the 1992 Constitution.
Engagement with the Public
The CRC’s ninth zonal engagement was held in the Bono region, where the committee interacted with a cross-section of the public, including market women, security organizations, transport operators, chiefs, queen mothers, politicians, students, government workers, and private workers. Prof. Prempeh explained that the review is necessary due to various development changes and challenges that have occurred since the implementation of the Constitution.
Key Issues
Some of the key issues that have necessitated the review include a hung Parliament, different parties controlling the executive and legislature, attempted amendments to the Constitution, the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme (DDEP), suspension of the Chief Justice, and calls for the scrapping of benefits for Article 71 holders. The committee aims to address these issues and make recommendations that will improve the lives of Ghanaians.
Recommendations
Some of the proposals being considered for review include:
– Members of Parliament not serving as ministers
– Establishment of an independent emolument commission to determine salaries of the executive and legislative
– Capping the number of judges at the Supreme Court
– Age limit for presidents to be revised to 21
– Limiting the number of terms an MP can run
– Reducing the number of MPs from 275 to 150
Call to Action
The CRC members have urged Ghanaians to mobilize and put pressure on politicians to ensure that the recommendations are implemented. Alhaji Ibrahim Tanko Amidu, a member of the committee, emphasized that politicians may resist some of the recommendations, but it is up to the people to ensure that their voices are heard. Prof. Kwame Karikari, another member, reiterated that the committee’s work will be done once the report is submitted to the government, and it is up to Ghanaians to ensure that politicians do what is in the best interest of the country.
The Constitution Review Committee’s engagement with the public is a crucial step in ensuring that the Constitution is reviewed to meet the current realities and aspirations of Ghanaians. It remains to be seen how the recommendations will be received by the government and politicians, but one thing is clear – Ghanaians must be vigilant and ensure that their voices are heard.