It’s time for true separation of powers - Akufo-Addo

President Nana Akufo-Addo has indicated that his government will ensure the proper separation of powers of the various arms of government.

As such, parliament must play its supervisory role and must not act as cohorts of the executive.

“It is time to make sure that we have a true separation of powers between the various arms of government. Our parliament, the legislative arm of government, must grow into its proper role as effective machinery for accountability and oversight of the executive and not its junior partner,” Mr Akufo-Addo said in a speech after his investiture.

Mr Akufo-Addo was emphatic that Ghana’s judiciary must inspire confidence in the citizenry so “we can all see the courts as the ultimate arbiters when disputes arise”, adding: “A Ghanaian judge must be the epitome of fairness and justice.”

Mr Akufo-Addo has also assured that his government will not fail Ghanaians on the promises made to them ahead of last year’s presidential and parliamentary elections, which have brought him into power.

According to him, his government is determined to accomplish the task Ghanaians overwhelmingly gave to the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to ensure economic prosperity.

“I am in the new unique position of being able to draw on the wisdom and experience of three former presidents of the Republic; their excellencies Jerry John Rawlings, John Agyekum Kufuor, and John Dramani Mahama. They represent the continuity of the institutions of our republic for which we thank God.

“I am deeply humbled by the exceptional mandate and extraordinary show of confidence that the Ghanaian people have conferred on my party, the New Patriotic Party, and on my modest person.

"I am determined to do all in my power to accomplish the task of the mandate and justify their confidence. I will not let you, the people of Ghana, down,” he said.

He further indicated that Ghana’s proud heritage must be cherished.

“We have a proud heritage, we have the John Mensah Sarbahs, Joseph Casley-Hayford George Paa Grant, RF Blay, Joseph Boakye Dankwa, Emmanuel Obetsebi Lamptey, Edward Akufo-Addo, William Ofori Atta, Kwabena Kese, Ernest Ako Agyei, Kwame Nkrumah, Kobina Gbedema, Kojo Botsio, SD Dombo, Kofi Abrefa Busia, Baffour Osei Akoto, and others who taught us what the principles of fidelity, courage, patience, resilience, and collective actions do yield.”