Twifo Praso (C/R) June 21, GNA - Mr Seth Bio-Nyamekye, the Magistrate of the Twifo-Hemang-Lower-Denkyira District, has suggested a constitutional amendment to stipulate the number of judges to be appointed to the Supreme Court to prevent Presidents from packing the Court. He made the call at a forum, organized by the Constitutional Review Commission, (CRC) at Twifo Praso, for the public to make input into the proposed amendment of the 1992 Constitution.

He said the current system of appointing District Chief Executives should be maintained while chiefs should be barred from engaging in active politics to help preserve the respect for the chieftaincy institution. Mr. Joseph Foster Andoh, the DCE reiterated calls for assembly members to be paid salaries to enhance their performance and strengthen local governance.

He shared the view that the country should have a development policy whereby successive governments would continue the developmental agenda of the country.

Mr. Isaac Asamoah, an assembly member for Hemang, said Area Councils and Unit Committees in the various communities are not functioning due to lack of funds and logistics and appealed to the government to allocate part of the Common Fund to make them operational.

Mr. Edusei Poku, the District Finance Officer, called for the abolition of Capital Punishment and rather have persons convicted on indictable offences to be imprisoned in hard labour. Earlier, Osabarima Kwesi Atta II, Omanhen of Oguaa Traditional Area, and a commissioner of the Commission, appealed to the public to make meaningful contribution to facilitate the review process. Mr. Francis Obuajo, counsel to the Constitutional Review Commission, called on the assembly members to educate their respective electorates on the review process for them to make input into it. The forum was attended by assembly members, heads of departments, farmers and chiefs of the area.