Former UN Senior Governance Advisor, Prof Baffour Agyemang-Duah, has made a compelling case for the restructuring of Ghana’s constitution to address the distribution of political power post-elections.
In a recent interview on JoyFM’s Super Morning Show, Prof Agyemang-Duah emphasized that Ghana’s democracy faces a significant threat due to the structure of the current constitution. He highlighted the issue of winner-takes-all, where elected leaders and their parties assume complete control over the governance of the country.
The professor pointed out that the concentration of power at the national level has led to the marginalization of local governance in Ghana. He noted that functional local governments outside Accra are virtually non-existent, with power and decision-making centralized in the capital.
Prof Agyemang-Duah stressed the need for a strategic rethinking of the distribution of political power to encourage capable individuals to run for office at the district level. He proposed that districts should become the focal point for development, rather than allowing unqualified individuals to take charge of essential ministries at the national level.
The UN advisor raised concerns about the flaws in the constitution, particularly in the processes of presidency assumption and the control exerted by political parties in governing the country. He argued that decentralizing power could lead to positive progress and development across Ghana, as opposed to the current centralized system that hinders effective governance.
In conclusion, Prof Baffour Agyemang-Duah expressed his passion for reforming the constitution to create a more inclusive and decentralized political system that fosters accountability and progress at all levels of governance.
