Let’s abolish ‘winner-takes-all’ system to enhance Ghana’s democracy – Haruna Iddrisu

Former Minority Leader Haruna Iddrisu has called for the abolition of the "winner-takes-all" political system in Ghana.

His remarks came in the wake of a stakeholder workshop organised by the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs, which focused on potential constitutional amendments.

Mr. Iddrisu instead, is advocating for a framework that promotes inclusivity and a proportional representation.

The MP for Tamale South criticised the current system for concentrating political power in the hands of the winning party, effectively sidelining other political voices and weakening the pillars of democracy.

“Winner takes away all; we must do away with that in any future constitution of Ghana so that the country can have a proportional representative government like what pertains in South Africa,” he emphasised.

Mr. Iddrisu further argued that reforming this system would not only distribute political power more evenly but also reduce the president's overwhelming influence.

“It would have also watered down the powers of the president,” Mr. Iddrisu stated, calling for a comprehensive examination of other governance models.

Highlighting Kenya’s recent constitutional changes that detach ministerial roles from parliamentary seats, he pointed out that “what they have observed is that those ministers who are not MPs don’t care more about constituents than those who are MPs who will perform in order to keep their seat.”