By Daniel Agbesi Latsu
Ho (V/R), Jan 8, GNA – Mr Divine Komla Bosson, a former Ho Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), has endorsed recommendations by the Constitution Review Committee (CRC) for the amendment of Article 78(1) of the 1992 Constitution.
The proposed amendment seeks to prevent Members of Parliament (MPs) from being appointed as Ministers of State, Deputy Ministers, or Regional Ministers.
Mr Bosson said the change would enable MPs to concentrate fully on their core legislative and oversight responsibilities, thereby strengthening Ghana’s democratic governance.
He expressed concern that the current arrangement, which allows the President to appoint the majority of ministers from Parliament, often results in MPs spending more time on executive duties at the expense of parliamentary work.
“The situation where MPs frequently absent themselves from Parliament to attend to ministerial responsibilities is not healthy for the growth of democracy,” he told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in an interview on the sidelines of the recent presentation of recommendations on proposed constitutional amendments to President John Dramani Mahama.
According to him, many MPs fail to adequately brief their constituents on parliamentary proceedings because they are preoccupied with ministerial duties.
“Parliamentarians are elected primarily to make laws and represent the interests of their constituents. When they are appointed ministers, their attention is diverted, and Parliament itself suffers,” he said.
Mr Bosson noted that the separation of powers envisaged under democratic governance would be better served if the executive and legislature were clearly distinguished in practice.
He said appointing ministers from outside Parliament would enhance accountability, deepen parliamentary scrutiny of the executive, and improve the quality of debates and decision-making in the House.
The former MCE commended the CRC for what he described as a thorough and inclusive review process and urged political leaders to demonstrate commitment to constitutional reforms that promote good governance and national development.
He appealed to civil society organisations, traditional authorities, and the public to support the proposed amendment, stressing that constitutional reforms should be driven by the long-term interest of the country rather than partisan considerations.
Article 78(1) of the 1992 Constitution currently requires the President to appoint the majority of ministers from among Members of Parliament. The CRC’s recommendation seeks to amend this provision to allow ministers to be appointed from outside Parliament.
The CRC recently submitted its recommendations to the President, marking a key step in the ongoing constitutional reform process, which may eventually lead to a national referendum on some of the proposed amendments.
GNA
Edited by Maxwell Awumah/Lydia Kukua Asamoah