Public support constitutional review

Abura-Dunkwa (C/R), June 8, GNA - A cross-section of the public on Monday proposed that the 1992 constitution should be amended to prevent the President from appointing majority of Ministers of State from parliament. They said Members of Parliament ought to give optimum and undivided attention to proceedings in parliament to facilitate its legislative functions while Ministers of State should remain politically unbiased in the discharge of their duties to enhance smooth and effective administration. These suggestions were made at the opening of a two-day community and district level consultation forum organized by the Constitution Review Commission for the public to make input into the proposed amendment of the Constitution.

It was attended by over 100 participants including District Chief Executives (DCEs), assembly members, public servants, students, the clergy and religious groups.

So far 44 initial issues have been submitted to the Commission for consideration and they include the indemnity provisions, issues relating to fundamental human rights, high treason and death penalty, review on retiring age and pension, changes in the public service and the proposal for the increase of the tenure of office of the President.

The participants also suggested that the retiring age of the President should be in line with that of public servants but were however, divided over whether it should be extended to 65 years or remain at 60. They proposed a review of the constitution to ensure total decentralization of governmental powers and functions to the district assemblies and to have DCEs elected by assembly members.

Even though some participants suggested that the tenure of office of the President should be extended to five or six years, others were against it and on whether the President should hold the power to determine the salaries, allowances and facilities of members of parliament or the speaker of parliament they said it should be tackled by the Fair Wages Commission. Another issue was the review of the overlapping functions of independent constitutional bodies such as the commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), the National Commission on Civic Education (NCCE) and the Electoral Commission.

On chiefs' participation in active party politics and whether their eligibility as members of parliament should be maintained, many of the people were against it stating that it will breed division and result in chaos.

It was proposed that accommodation be made available to national service persons to enable them serve the nation better while a law should also be passed to check unguarded pronouncements made by social commentators.

A lawyer of the Constitution Review Commission, Mr. Samuel Fernbeti, underscored the need for the amendment of the constitution after its 18-years in existence. He said the views and opinions of the public was important because "we are in a free, just and democratic society" and urged the public to ensure that they actively participate and make meaningful input into the review. Mr Fernbeti said the exercise began early this year and is expected to reach all the 170 districts in the country by the end of June after which the views solicited from the public will be collated latest by September or the end of this year.