Implement CRC recommendations – Akwasi Acquah
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament for Akim Oda, Alexander Akwasi Acquah, is optimistic that the recommendations of the Constitution Review Commission (CRC) will be implemented.
“I am so clear in my mind that the current proposals for Ghana's constitutional amendments will be implemented, unlike the previous attempts that didn't see the light of day,” he stated.
“With the super majority that this government enjoys in parliament, they won't have any excuse for refusing any of the proposals that the people have widely accepted,” he told the Daily Graphic in an interview.
Having served the Ghanaian populace since 1992, Mr Acquah noted that a number of lapses in the Constitution had been exposed and required amendment to improve governance.
He cited the recommendations for the strict adherence to the separation of powers, especially between the Executive and the Legislature.
He explained that apart from ensuring strong oversight of the Executive, it would help people to carve out career paths in Parliament.
Mr Acquah also subscribed to the President paying tax, as it would empower him to ask others to fulfil their tax obligations to the state.
He, however, disagreed with the proposal that the age to be President should be reduced to 30 years, saying that he/she would be immature to lead the state.
Enlightenment
Mr Acquah was of the view that if the recommendations are relooked at by the Implementation Committee and the entire country, the amendments would inure to the benefit of the country.
“My positive conviction is primarily based on the fact that Ghanaians have generally become so enlightened on a lot of issues that have affected our governance systems for the past few years.
Having served us since 1992, time has definitely exposed some of the constitutional provisions that have become so topical and political,” he added.
The Akim Oda MP cited, for instance, the citizenry favouring the election of Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) as against their appointments to deepen decentralisation systems.
That, he said, would ensure proper accountability of MMDCEs to the people. Mr Acquah said he also looked forward to the cessation of payment of ex gratia to Article 71 office holders.
He said the President's will and commitment towards most of the changes could not be overemphasised.
“President Mahama has time and again spoken widely about some of these amendments and it will be so difficult for him not to push for their implementation,” he stated.
Forward
Mr Acquah said the implementation committee must ensure that they extend their stakeholder engagements to cover most citizens, civil society and opposition parties in the process to build consensus and ownership of the proposals.
“There must also be a clear roadmap to detail an implementation plan with timelines and responsible agencies.
“There is also the need to build bipartisan support in Parliament to ensure the passage of necessary laws,” he stated.
He stressed the need for the committee to educate citizens on the reforms and their benefits to build public pressure for implementation, adding that “there will be the need to establish an independent body to track progress and report to the public.”
