The Progressive People’s Party (PPP) has welcomed the establishment of the Constitution Review Committee by President John Dramani Mahama.
In a statement signed by Kofi Asamoah-Siaw, Director of Policy, the party commended the President for demonstrating his commitment to the constitutional review process.
The PPP noted that the committee’s membership, led by Professor H. Kwesi Prempeh, demonstrates the President’s desire to engage persons with proven expertise and dedication to good governance.
The party, which has been a consistent advocate for constitutional reforms, outlined its key proposals for amendment. These include the election of Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives through universal adult suffrage, as well as the strict separation of Parliament from the executive branch.
Other proposals include a truly public and verifiable assets declaration regime, accompanied by sanctions for false declarations, and the full participation of Ghanaians in the diaspora in the political process.
“We look forward to collaborating with the committee to share and discuss our proposals for constitutional reforms,” the statement said.
The PPP expressed its commitment to the constitutional review process and its eagerness to work towards reforming Ghana’s constitution.
The establishment of the Constitution Review Committee is part of President Mahama’s agenda to reset Ghana and promote good governance.
Below is the full statement:
PPP WELCOMES THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE CONSTITUTION REVIEW COMMITTEE BY PRESIDENT JOHN DRAMANI MAHAMA.
The PPP welcomes the establishment of the Constitution Review Committee by the President, H.E. John Dramani Mahama, tasked with making actionable recommendations for constitutional amendments aimed at improving good governance in Ghana.
The President has since sworn-in the members of the committee and charged them to engage widely and assured the committee that their work will not be in vain.
We are particularly pleased to observe that the setting up of the committee within few weeks of the President coming into office attests to his genuine commitment to the constitutional review process and agree that the committee’s membership demonstrates his desire to “engage persons of proven expertise and dedication to the service of the nation and commitment to good governance, to manage the process.”
We recall with commendation the President’s invitation to members of Coalition of Election of MMDCEs (led by the PPP), to the Jubilee House, in August 2013, to discuss the group’s petition to the President to support the election of Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives.
The PPP has been consistent, supportive and remains committed to the constitutional review process in Ghana.
We have made many representations in the past and look forward to engaging the Professor H. Kwesi Prempeh-led Committee to share and discuss our proposals for constitutional reforms.
The party’s areas of constitutional amendment include the election of all MMDCEs and all members of the district assemblies by universal adult-suffrage, accompanied by not less 30% of the consolidated funds allocated exclusively to the district assemblies without executive interference in its disbursement; the strict separation of Parliament from the executive branch where members of Parliament who become ministers of state must give up their seats; the separation of the Office of the Attorney-General from the Minister of Justice and insulate her from executive influence; a truly public or open and verifiable assets declaration regime with attendant sanctions regime for false declarations; and the full participation of Ghanaians in the diaspora in the political process.
We look forward to collaborating with the Committee in its work to reform our constitution as part of the President’s agenda to reset Ghana.
Signed
Kofi Asamoah-Siaw
Director of Policy