LET?S CHANGE THE ??WINNER TAKES ALL? GOVERNANCE?IT?S ?NOT GOOD FOR GHANA
By ALHAJI ALHASAN ABDULAI
We have no choice but ?to applaud the framers of the 4th republican constitution for helping to steer the nation from undemocratic, to constitutional and democratic ?rule since 1992. When the constitution came into force, we least expected that 20 ?years down the line the major part of the constitution the presidency would pose a problem to the country. But ?that is the case now.
Fortunately many individuals and organizations have discovered that the presidential system that gives ?absolute power for the president ?is problematic. It does not give room for consensus buiding as required by our cultures and traditions as a people. Parliament where the presidency has extended powers under the constitution has been finding it difficult ?to exercise oversight role over the executive ?as expected.Although those things that unite the people of Ghana like our customs, religious leanings and the like ??are more than those that divide us ?the current constitutional ?leadership ?arrangement seems to be a source of division in Ghana.
All those who contest for ?election against the president and their political parties ?have no fole ?in the coutry?s ?leadership when a president is elected. The leaders of the ?opposition parties have no place in ??parliament to work with the president as happen in the westminter style governance. Therefore as soon as the president is sworn into office he possibly becomes an enemy (not opponent) ?of all those defeated at polls in the presidential election. Because the power of the president is absolute he has the power to be able ?run the affairs of ?government ?with no fear of being ruffled by opposition ???for the entire duration of ?four years. ?We are only lucky to have presidents with listening ears else worse things would have happened to opponents of governments under 1992 constitution.
The current constitutional arrangement seems to be treading on ?bumpy roads? that need sorting out quickly. Many organizations and individuals are calling for amendment to reduce the powers of the president under the 1992 constitution.
The constitution has been undergoing reviews especially under late President John Mills when a major review occurred. Recommendations made in the review have received a government white paper. ?Since the review is yet to be put before the people and parliament for approval, we need to do something about some portions of it. Many people are looking for opportunity to have a look at the constitution again especially with regard to the powers of the president.
The major problem we are grappling with is the ?winner takes all? character of ?the important part of the ?constitution, the presidency , which ?is ?generally ?becoming a matter of concern.
Some ?Personalities that include Dr Papa Kwasi Nduom leader of the Progressive People?s Party have cried out against it. The Minority Leader in Parliament, Hon ?Osei Kyei Mensah Bonus ?recently ?had occasion to point out the danger in us maintaining the current presidential ?arrangement. It is therefore appropriate when ??for some ?top civil society organizations like the Institute of Economic Affairs, and Institute of Democratic Governance to also throw their weights behind efforts to deal with the monsterous ?winners takes all? governance in Ghana.
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The President John Dramani Mahama ?Being a beneficiary of the current executive system ?system , had occasion to ??consider ??the ??winner takes all? governance ?as not good enough system .He said it as it is. Yes, ?he might have ???spoken ?his mind? ?to help chart a new course for us to ?guard against ?abuse of office? in future.
The current ?president has experienced leadership at all levels of government in Ghana ?as Member of Parliament, Deputy Minister, Minister, Vice President and now President.
He, like ?many other people have come to realize the extent to which the presidency has been overloaded with state responsibilities. ?He made the clarion call when he met and dinned with ?a number of senior citizens as part of the 53rd anniversary of our republican status in Accra.
He was soliciting help from them to advice on how the nation can swim out of what is considered ?troubled waters?. He is right
SOLUTION
The solution ?to this problem is simple. We need to ?seize the bull by the horns? by dismantling the hybrid system of governance that combines the Westminster and Presidential American Governance ?that ?concentrates power in the hands of the president? making him a king and not a servant of state as expected.
So far, We had four ?presidents ?( J.J Rawlings, J A Kufuor, ?late J E A ?Mills and J D ?Mahama) ??since 1992 and each of them wielded too much power. They worked through their aides some of who might have ?misrepresent the president in the discharge of their duties. The presidents ?were elected to the presidency that has power to choose majority of ministers from parliament a move that has the tendency to weaken considerably the oversight ?power of the legislature over the executive arm of government.
The president has to choose all district and municipal chief executives and members of boards of all government establishments. His power to dismiss and reshuffle his appointees cannot be challenged or queried. Governance under this constitution is so centralized that all bills sent to parliament has to emanate from the presidency. Under this arrangement decentralization has not been possible since most political decisions for running the district and regional assemblies in the ?counry is often influenced by the central authority in Accra.
PARLIAMENTARY SYSTEM
In contrast the parliamentary governance as in Great Britain and other commonwealth nations ?provides that leadership of the nation emanates from parliament with a Prime Minister chosen from the majority political party in parliament or parties in coalition.
CEREMONIAL PRESIDENT
The powers of such a leader is shared with a ceremonial president chosen to receive visitors of state, letters of credence, sign bills into laws and review parades during celebrations as done in advanced democracies
The activities of a Prime Minister are often ?in constant review in parliament to determine whether he could end his term or be impeached ??in a vote of no confidence. Under this arrangement the Prime Minister is expected to fight for a seat in parliament like all leaders and members of the opposition. Therefore he is himself a member of parliament and only ?primus inter pares?. All his ministers would be appointed in parliament.
This is the constitutional arrangement suitable for an emerging democracy like Ghana. This was experienced in the first three years of the first government of Ghana ?when Dr Kwame Nkrumah became leader of government business and later as Prime Minister with the queen of England as head of state represented by a governor general and in ?the ?Second Republic with Dr Busia as Prime Minister and late Edward Akufo Addo as President.
We need to consider going back to this arrangement which we began with on attaining independence in 1957 till 1960 when we changed over to a republican status with an executive presidency. When we do that all leaders of opposition capable of winning votes could also enter parliament. Under this arrangement people like Nana Akufo Addo, Dr Paa kwesi Nduom , Dr Abu Sakara would have been in parliament to contribute directly in national development.
Some independent candidates might also win their way to parliament. ?There would be no credible leader who would remain outside of parliament. They would work together with the ruling class in parliament.
If this arrangement is accepted all government appointees to districts and municipal assemblies should also ?be elected to office and answer to their ministers and their district assemblies. Members of boards would be chosen by the Prime Minister in consultation with his or her colleagues in parliament and the ?Council Of State.
Therefore under this arrangement ?there would be no ?winner takes all? to be experienced ?unlike the current arrangement where power is concentrated in one individual and his close associates operating and exerting power far apart from the people?s representatives.
Executive Director
eanfoworld for sustainable development
P.O BOX 17070 PHONE 233 244370345/ 233264370345 /233208844791
