Supreme Court, EC want full overhaul to safeguard our democracy – Benjamin Quarshie – Ghana Information On-line
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) Council of Elders Chair for South Africa, Benjamin Kofi Quashie, has named the Electoral Commission (EC) and the Supreme Court as the 2 establishments that want full overhaul.
According to him, the overhaul is required to safeguard the nation’s democracy.
Speaking on Accra-based Kessben FM on Monday, he famous that these two establishments of state have been politicised, eroding their neutrality in dealing with public affairs.
“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 mentioned.
The Chair of the SA Council of Elders additional expressed issues about current rulings by the Supreme Court of Ghana, attributing them to what he described as partisan judicial appointments by President Akufo-Addo.
“These appointments are clearly made to serve his bidding,” he remarked.
“We cannot run a country this way—it will not serve us well. Reforms are necessary, and this is one of the key areas where we must hold President Mahama accountable. Without abusing a parliamentary majority, the needed reforms must be enacted,” Mr Quashie emphasised.
Addressing the query of whether or not Ghana’s presidential tenure of 4 years needs to be amended, he shared his private view, “I consider 4 years is simply too quick for any chief to attain significant progress. However, it isn’t as much as me and even President Mahama to resolve. It should be a collective choice by the Ghanaian individuals.
“Increasing the tenure could foster greater stability and development. But for now, the Constitution does not permit it, and we must respect its provisions. If the people decide its time for a change, we can then amend it,” he acknowledged.
The Council Chair urged {that a} time period of 5 – 6 years can be more practical, arguing {that a} longer tenure supplies leaders with the chance to attain greater than the present four-year restrict permits.
“That is a fact, and I would personally support any move toward such an amendment, however, it is not solely up to me to make that decision,” he mentioned.
Source: myjoyonline.com
