By Alex Boye
Former Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Prof. Aaron Mike Oquaye has raised concerns about aspects of Ghana’s proposed constitutional reforms, particularly provisions relating to the judiciary and the independence of state institutions.
Prof. Oquaye questioned the fairness of the process for removing a former Chief Justice, arguing that the Constitution should provide a clear avenue for appeal.
The former Member of Parliament (MP) for the Dome Kwabenya Constituency said that although the procedure for the removal may have followed the steps prescribed by the Constitution, the absence of an effective right of appeal raises concerns about justice for the head of the Courts and the Judiciary.
According to him, “even though the steps followed the right steps, the Constitution is wrong, because it doesn’t establish justice to the head of the judiciary.”
Speaking at a legal conference organised by an advocacy group called Smart Generation Governance Hub (SMART GENZ) in Accra yesterday, he also cautioned against excessive political influence in the appointment of key state institutions.
He stressed the need for safeguarding to protect the independence of institutions such as the judiciary from political interference.
The Executive Director of Smart Generation Governance Hub, Rev. Dr Odei Appiah disclosed that the conference was aimed at bringing inderstanding Ghana’s law closer to the ordinary Ghanaian.
He assured that the conference would be an annual one to enhance Ghana’s democracy to admiration of all people across the globe.
The Group’s president called for support for the sustainability of the group as it seeks to co tribute its quota when it comes to the total development of the country.
For his part, a former Ghana Bar Association President, Dr Yaw Boafo, on the other hand, said he was not opposed to the proposal to increase the presidential term from four to five years.
He said Ghana could even consider allowing a president to remain in office for as long as the citizenry desired, provided the country had a robust electoral system that genuinely reflected the will of the people.
“If we have strong institutions, independent Electoral Commission that is not going to be manipulated, then if the people of Ghana want a president to stay in office for 20 years, there is nothing wrong with it,” he said.
