Lectures On Good Governance In Democracy

Accra, June 21, GNA - Professor E. Gyimah-Boadi a lecturer of the Political Science Department, University of Ghana, Legon, tonight stressed the need for the executive and judiciary to be more dynamic in their actions to put the country on a sustained democratic course.

He said even though this is a task for all Ghanaians, "office holders in these key institutions have a special responsibility to lead Ghanaians to attain their dream of prosperity and freedom".

Prof. Gyimah-Boadi was speaking on "Six years of constitutional rule in Ghana: an assessment and progress focusing on the executive and judiciary".

The three-day lecture is being organised by the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences in collaboration with the Friedrich Ebert Foundation. Prof. Gyimah-Boadi said parliament and the executive may be criticised less for what they have done than failed to do.

He noted that the executive has failed to dismantle the democracy-inhibiting political and administrative structures in which state, government and party appear to be fused.

He commended the President for his exemplary hands-on approach to development but said their impact would be deeper and longer lasting if effective legislation and self-sustaining systems accompanied them.

Prof. Gyimah-Boadi said the executive has the responsibility to take the lead in eliminating corruption but said despite it's expressed commitment in that regard, this has not been matched by action.

He cited government's lack of commitment in handling the CHRAJ Report on some alleged corrupt officials and the lack of independence of the Serious Fraud Office of the executive.

The media, which he noted is a key agency in the fight against corruption, "has been significantly hampered in this effort by official secrecy and the application of libel laws.

"When parliament, the judiciary and other official countervailing institutions are kept intimidated and afraid of the executive, their ability to exercise the oversight function with any credibility is seriously undermined".

Prof. Gyimah-Boadi called on parliament to depart from the habit of considering and passing bills initiated by the executive and initiate its own bills. The Speaker also needs to exhibit neutrality to foster cohesion and autonomy of parliament.

Parliament should also build strong partnerships with civil society to increase credibility and self-confidence of the House. The Reverend Professor Mike Oquaye, another lecturer in Political Science, University of Ghana, Legon, who dwelt on the judiciary vis-a-vis the executive in fostering democracy, noted that the separation of the judiciary from the executive exists only in theory.

Prof. Oquaye, whose paper was delivered on his behalf by Mr Stephen Ahiawodor of the same Department, said the "populist approach to the nomination of members of the Judicial Council had led to unfavourable appointments, making it hard for even the Ghana Bar Association to nominate members.

He said rather than the executive, the Judiciary should be accountable to the people, adding that the constitution gives the watchdog role to the media.

He, therefore, called for the scrapping of the law on criminal libel, saying there are alternatives for an aggrieved person to seek redress, including his right to a rejoinder and other civil provisions.

Prof. F. T. Sai, President of the Academy who presided, said a successful democratic dispensation depends on good nutrition, good housing and good health for the people.

But he added that everyone has a role to protect and get everything done by the ballot box.