Accra, Feb. 02, GNA- Ghana does not need a complete overhaul of the 1992 Constitution, Mr Kwame Pianim, a Senior Economist, has said.
Mr Pianim said the current constitution “can be brought to life” with “few changes and judicial administration.”
Speaking at the launch of the John Atta Mills (JEA) Memorial Heritage in Accra on Tuesday, February 01, 2022, he said: “What is wrong with the Constitution is us, Ghanaians.”
Mr Pianim disagreed with the assertion that the 1992 Constitution granted the President too much powers, saying, “We say the President has too much powers, but you have 275 MPs who are supposed to approve the Ministers, not the President.
“You have a Council of State who is supposed to make certain appointments in consultation with or on the advice of… I don’t know what documents they say the President should bring when he is in consultation with or the advice of…So, it is not the President who has too much powers. It is for us to stand and be courageous to say; Mr President this person you want to occupy this position is not good and experienced enough.,” he said.
Mr Pianim said leadership was one of the major things affecting the development of the nation, saying the country required leaders who would be bold and courageous to take decisions that would best serve the interest of the nation.
He said the tendency of leaders taking decisions based on their political affiliations had undermined the development of the nation over the years.
Mr Pianim condemned the conduct of Members of Parliament last year and said the inability of the House to build consensus could erode Ghana’s democratic gains.
“They must apologise to the nation, and until they do so, I refuse to address them as honourables,” he said.
Mr Pianim urged the citizenry to desist from depending on Parliamentarians for financial support, saying such behaviours had the potential to push MPs to engage in corrupt activities.
He also called for support for the Judiciary to be independent to discharge its duties without fear or favour.
The JEA Memorial Heritage is a non-profit, non- partisan organisation, which seeks to preserve and build on the legacies of the late President John Evans Atta Mills.
It was established by a group of academics, professional colleagues, students, family, and appointees of President Mills.
J.E.A. Mills, the 3rd President of the 4th Republic, served as President from January 08, 2009, to July 24, 2012 – the day he died.
Mr Pianim described the late Prof. Mills as “a good and decent man” and urged the citizenry to “emulate his good characteristics and let his principles be at work.”
Former President John Dramani Mahama, who launched the Organisation, called on the citizenry to stay united and uphold tolerance in reverence to the ideals and legacies of the late President Mills.
Mr Mahama said the nation must endeavour to stay in unity and truth “in the face of adversity” as the nation marked the 10th anniversary of the passing of the late Prof. Mills this year.
GNA