The Member of Parliament (MP) for Manhyia South has called for constitutional and procedural reforms that would compel sitting Ghanaian presidents to appear before Parliament and answer questions directly from lawmakers, arguing that the current system insulates the executive from meaningful legislative scrutiny.
Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah, who represents the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Ashanti Region constituency, made the call during an interview on Oyerepa FM, proposing a structured mechanism through which Presidents, including President John Dramani Mahama, would face direct questioning by Members of Parliament.
“Ghana should have a system where the President appears before Parliament to answer questions directly from MPs,” he said. “In Ghana, we treat presidents like monarchs, and that must be reformed.”
The NPP lawmaker pointed to the State of the Nation Address (SONA) as an example of the gap he wants closed, noting that even during that annual address, the President faces no obligation to respond to questions from the floor. “Even during the State of the Nation Address, the President decides whether to answer questions or not,” he said.
Baffour Awuah, a lawyer by training, argued that strengthening executive accountability to Parliament is essential to sustaining public confidence in democratic governance. He urged citizens and policymakers to pursue governance reforms collectively. “We have to work together as Ghanaians to make sure our democracy works,” he said.
The MP also raised concerns about a growing cycle of voter disillusionment, warning that persistent public dissatisfaction with governance outcomes could deepen apathy in future elections. “Our system is a disappointment to the electorate. After every major government, people become disillusioned with decisions taken,” he said. “If this continues, the electorate may decide to stay away from the ballot.”
The call adds to a series of constitutional reform positions Baffour Awuah has taken since entering Parliament in January 2025, including warnings over proposed changes to presidential term limit protections and criticism of the judiciary’s role in constitutional review discussions.
Ghana’s 1992 Constitution does not currently provide for a Prime Minister’s Questions-style mechanism, meaning any such reform would require either a constitutional amendment or a procedural change to standing parliamentary orders.
