Participation in constitution review forums in Volta overwhelming

Ho, June 5, GNA - Public participation at forums to garner views on the proposed review of the 1992

Constitution, has been overwhelming in the Volta Region, Mr Eric Delanyo Alifo, Co-ordinator of the

Constitutional Review Commission team in the area said on Thursday. He said besides the numbers that attended the various forums, content of contributions were insightful

and should add to the store of proposals being collected in the countrywide exercise. Mr Alifo was speaking at the last of such public encounters at Agortime-Kpetoe, in the Adaklu-Anyigbe

District to climax the about six weeks "tedious but fulfilling" work of the committee in the region. He observed that the zeal shown by the people justified the broad base consultation of the review in

contrast to the centralized process of the past. Ms Mercy Quarcoo a participant called for the exclusion of the clauses that demanded that Members of

Parliament (MP) could only be served with summons at home. She said the clause was against the spirit of the 1992 Constitution and the Rule of Law, which sought to

ensure equality for all before the law. "If I, a teacher could be served with summons while at work why shouldn't an MP be served?" Mr James Coffie Agbemayi, an assembly member said election of district chief executives was not

prudent. The consensus at the Agortime-Kpetoe forum was that chiefs should remain barred from active politics

and that a president who changed parties while serving his tenure should resign. Forty-four issues have been listed by the Commission for discussion at the countrywide district forums

to be followed by regional and national consultative meetings before recommendations are made to the

President.