The Member of Parliament for Asuogyaman Thomas Ampem Nyarko has stated that Electoral Commission of Ghana has crucial responsibility to sustain the peace enjoyed in the 30 years of uninterrupted constitutional rule in the country.
Mr. Ampem Nyarko disclosed this in an interview with Starr News at the sidelines of Peace Walk and sporting activities organized by Parliament of Ghana on Saturday August 12, 2023 in Koforidua, Eastern Regional capital to celebrate 30 years of uninterrupted constitutional rule.
On 7th January 2023, marked thirty (30) years of the inception of the Fourth Republican Parliament of Ghana, after years of military interventions, and the promulgation of the 1992 Constitution approved by the Ghanaian citizenry in a referendum.
Two major political parties in Ghana – the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) and Opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) have changed power after two terms of eight years cycles in 2000, 2008, 2016.
The next crucial presidential and parliamentary elections will be held December 7, 2024 with thee ruling party poised for victory to break the eight year change convention.
Mr. Ampem Nyarko said the milestone is worth celebrating, however, cautioned that the country should not be complacent and ignore some red flags reeling its ugly heads threatening sustainability of peace and democracy in the country.
The lawmaker said for instance, recent development regarding the political composition of Electoral Commission by the ruling NPP government and previous actions of the commissioner Jean Mensah must be a source of worry to believers of democracy and good governance.
“We have a cause to celebrate because through out the history of our country this is the first time we’ve had a constitutional rule that has lasted this long 30 years gives us a cause to celebrate. But what are we celebrating? Are we celebrating to give the impression that all is well I don’t think that is the case. As we celebrate the first 30 years of our constitutional rule I think it is a good time for us to take stock to find out what we can do so that we will be able to celebrate the next 30 years and beyond”.
“For me we are all rejoicing but a lot of gratitude must go to the Ghanaian people for their tolerance , I believe it is the tolerance of the Ghanaian people that has brought us this far and the conviction that constitutional rule is the choice and is far better than any other means of governance of this country, that is all we want to commend every Ghanaian for the support and the tolerance this far”.
Hon. Thomas Ampem Nyarko stated that to sustain this peaceful constitutional rule ,the Electoral Commission has critical responsibility to ensure free ,fair and transparent election
“The role of the electoral commission is critical and we have come this far because of the kind of leadership of the electoral commission that we had Dr. Afari Gyan was committed to a peaceful and fair election , unfortunately we cannot say same about the current Chairperson of the electoral commission and so she must learn from her predecessors and find out what Dr. Afari Gyan was able to do that earn him that trust from all actors in our elections , now the ball is in her court and she must do everything to sustain this constitutional rule that we have”
Hon. Thomas Ampem Nyarko also stressed the need to amend aspects of the constitution particularly provisions that give excessive power to the President.
“I believe that we have been talking about amending our constitution it is long overdue we need to use this celebration to look at the pathway for us to amend aspects of the constitution that we’ve all come to realize is not good and so that is what I believe we need to consider now and as a matter of urgency we must have a pathway to the amendment of those aspects of the constitution that we’ve all come to agree that need to be amended. We must work hard to reduce the powers that is vested in one person (the President so that we strengthen institutions and allow institutions to work in this country, I believe if we are able to do these things going forward we will all sleep not thinking of any threat to our democracy.”
The Second Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Hon Andrew Asiamah Amoako called in Ghanaians to be patient and tolerant to some challenges encountered in 30 years of constitutional rule in Ghana, assuring that gradual amendments and new legislations will make the constitution better to move good governance to levels reached in many countries in the western world.
The peace walk and sporting activities such as soccer ,tennis, and tag of peace were participated by the Second Deputy Speaker, Hon.Andrew Asiamah Amoako, Some Members of Parliament, Omanhene of New Juaben. Traditional Area , Daasebre Kwaku Boateng III, Eastern Regional Minister Seth Kwame Acheampong,various security agencies and the citizenry.
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