Political analyst Samuel Boateng has called for the review of the constitution to limit the powers of the president in appointing heads of our public institutions.
He asserted that the power given to the president to appoint the Chief Justice, IGP, and the Electoral Commission under the leadership of the NPP and NDC has undermined the work of our judicial service and other institutions.
The analyst indicated that the two major political parties always want to appoint heads of key public institutions when they assume office, a situation he described as a threat to Ghana’s democracy.
Speaking in an interview on Nyankonton Mu Nsem on Rainbow Radio 87.5FM, he described the suspension of the Chief Justice, Gertrude Torkornoo, as politically driven.
Mr Samuel Boateng warned that undermining the judiciary to settle political scores could have grave consequences for the country’s democracy.
He said he has never supported the powers granted to the president in appointing the heads of these institutions.
He added that although the president has not committed any error in suspending the chief justice, “the question we need to ask is that why is it that some people want the chief justice removed from office at all costs? It is clear that every government that takes over office would appoint a new IGP, Chief Justice, EC boss and others. We have politicised our state situations to the point that even when persons are appointed to the Supreme Court, we use political lenses in determining their political affiliations.
I propose that we review the constitution to limit the powers of the president in appointing state heads. We cannot continue politicising our independent institutions. We should not appoint people as heads of institutions based on political affiliations.”
He called on civil society organisations to take up the challenge and demand a review of the constitution and ensure that the President does not appoint these heads.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
