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Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has expressed concern over the excessive powers granted to the executive president by the 1992 Constitution.
This, he said, has negatively impacted the country’s development and democracy.
The Speaker made these remarks at a press event with journalists in the Volta Region on Thursday.
It forms part of the activities marking the 30th anniversary of Parliament.
He urged for a review of the 1992 Constitution to suit the current realities and aspirations of the nation.
He noted that amending the Constitution to reduce the president’s powers would not be easy, as it involves an entrenched clause that requires a referendum.
Mr. Bagbin indicated Parliament alone cannot initiate such a change without the consent of the people.
He recalled how a previous attempt by the late President John Evans Atta Mills to reform the Constitution failed due to a lack of consensus between the two major political parties, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
He explained, “You remember during the time of the late President J.E.A Mills, the process was started. One of the challenges that we faced was that they said it shouldn’t have been started by the government, with the white paper issue, which meant that we were taking entrenched positions.”
“And so, the other party did not support it. And really as I said you need a certain percentage of voters. If you don’t get the parties working together, you can’t have that exercise”, he explained.
Mr. Bagbin, however, indicated that efforts are underway to initiate a move to amend the entrenched provision that allocates the President “too much power”, and is optimistic it could take effect after the 2024 general elections.
He urged the Legislative and the media to overcome the challenges of insufficient funds and poor working conditions that hinder their accountability functions.
Mr. Bagbib also appealed to the media to assert their rights and demand better working conditions, to enable them to perform their roles effectively and ensure good governance.
