The National Democratic Congress (NDC) Council of Elders Chair for South Africa, Benjamin Kofi Quashie, has shared his views on how Ghana can make meaningful progress in its democratic journey, highlighting the overhaul of some state institutions.
He stated that the Electoral Commission (EC) and the Supreme Court are the two institutions that need a complete overhaul.
Speaking on Kessben 92.9 FM on Monday, December 16, 2024, and justifying his commentaries, Quashie averred that these two institutions of state have been politicised, eroding their neutrality in handling 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 stated.
Adding that “We cannot run a country like this. It wouldn’t augur well for us; the reforms need to start and this is one thing we’ll need to hold President Mahama accountable for. Without abusing the parliament majority, the needed reforms must be done.”
Reacting to whether the presidential tenure of four years should be amended, he posited, “Personally, I think the four years isn’t enough for any leader to do anything meaningful. But, it cannot be my personal decision or that of President Mahama, but it should be the collective decision of the Ghanaian people.
“I think personally, increasing the tenure would bring a lot of stability and development, but the Constitution doesn’t allow that now. We abide by what the Constitution says, hoping the Ghanaian people decide we make changes, then we can amend it.”
The SA Council of Elders Chair opined that a longer term of about five or six years would be better, pointing out that the longer one stays, the better, enhancing the ability to do more than what the current four years allow.
“That is a fact, and I would personally support any move to make such amendments, but it doesn’t solely rest with me to make such a decision,” he stated.
