The National Democratic Congress (NDC) Council of Elders Chair for South Africa, Mr. Benjamin Kofi Quashie has shared his views on how Ghana can make meaningful progress in its democratic journey, highlighting the overhaul of some state institutions.
He pencilled the Electoral Commission (EC) and the Supreme Court as the two institutions that need a complete overhaul.
Speaking on Kessben 92.9 FM, Monday, 16th December 2024 and justifying his commentaries, Mr. Quashie averred that these two institutions of state have been politicised, eroding their neutrality in handling public affairs.
He highlighted that the arbitrary appointments made by the current president without proper due diligence has ensured the appointments of card-bearing members of the NPP to the EC and the bench. "I can admit no one can entirely be indifferent, but a situation where known political people of a party are appointed to these institutions, they can't be fair in presiding over cases between their party and another person", he stated.
Further, the SA Council of Elders Chair noted that it wasn't surprising to witness some of the shameful rulings from the Supreme Court of Ghana in recent times. This, according to him, are as a result of the arbitrary appointments made by the president for those appointed to do his bidding. "We cannot run a country like this. It wouldn't augur well for us; the reforms need to start and this is one thing we'll need to hold President Mahama accountable for. Without abusing the parliament majority, the needed reforms must be done", Mr. Quashie stressed.
Reacting to whether the presidential tenure of four years should be amended, he posited "I think the four years isn't enough for any leader to do anything meaningful. But, it cannot be my personal decision or that of President Mahama but, it should be the collective decision of the Ghanaian people.
"I think personally, increasing the tenure would bring a lot of stability and development but the Constitution doesn't allow that now. We abide by what the Constitution says, hoping the Ghanaian people decide we make changes, then we can amend it", he revealed.
The SA Council of Elders chair opined a longer term of about five or six years would be better, pointing out that the longer one stays the better, enhancing the ability to do more than what the current four years allow. "That is a fact and I would personally support any move to make such amendments but, it doesn't solely rest with me to make such a decision", he ended.
