Constitutional amendment is a duty of government not an individual – Haruna Iddrisu

The former minority leader and MP for Tamale South, Haruna Iddrisu, has stated that the amendment of the 1992 Constitution should be an initiative by the state, not an individual.

On the floor of Parliament On Friday, Haruna Iddrisu lamented that the proposal by the member of Parliament for Akim Swedru Constituency, Kennedy Osei Nyarko, to amend the 1992 Constitution of the Republic of Ghana (Amendment) Bill, 2021, is inappropriate.

The Tamale South MP also stressed that the Constitution Amendment should be an initiative owned by the state and not an individual from the ruling party.

He further explained that he supports the amendment; however, it should be done in a way that Ghanaians can play a central role.

He indicated that since the constitution is the most important document of the country, it is expedient for the government to sponsor the amendment. He requested that the call should be led by the Attorney General in the name of the state, not a private member.

The former majority leader, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, commenting on the constitution amendment bill, supported the concerns raised by Haruna Iddrisu. He, however, stated that the motion is already admitted by the Speaker and much cannot be done about it. He urged members to make certain determinations at the second reading.

Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin, presiding at the time, explained that the bill to amend the constitution went through a lot of processes before he admitted it. According to him, after deliberating on the bill with some other professors of law both in Ghana and outside Ghana, he was convinced that the bill can come under a private member.

He urged members to be mindful and circumspect about what they say about the constitution amendment bill since some individuals have already taken the procedure to court.