Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, the Majority Leader in Parliament, has called for a new constitutional order that would limit the number of ministers appointed by the President. Ghana needs a constitution that limits the number of ministers
His call comes after the Minority caucus in Parliament demanded that President Nana Akufo-Addo reduce the size of his government in the face of economic challenges.
Speaking at the launch of the 30th anniversary of parliamentary democracy, Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu outlined a number of benefits that would be realized if constitutional reform was considered.
“We need a constitutional order that would mitigate the winner takes all attitude and prevent the do-or-die combat associated with our elections. We need a new constitutional order that would prevent the constant increase in the number of seats in Parliament.”
“We need a new constitutional order that would put a cap on the number of ministers of state. We need a new constitutional order that would ensure that the Speaker of Parliament is a serving member of Parliament,” the Suame MP said.
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Prof. Vladimir Antwi-Danso, Dean of the Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College, has also called for an entirely new constitution, in contrast to calls for amendments to the 1992 constitution.
Prof. Antwi-Danso believes that a new constitution written by a newly formed committee will correct any flaws in the country’s democratic system.
“I believe that if we have something new (new constitution), politicians will jump to it to serve a better purpose,” he emphasized.
On proportional representation, he believes it will provide the best representation of the people in parliament, but he is concerned that implementing it will be difficult.