Rawlings' 'indemnity clause' comment vindicates our anti-'Sakawa' Constitution campaign – Group

The Economic Fighters League (EFL) has said it feels vindicated by former President Jerry John Rawlings’ call for certain portions of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana to be expunged.

EFL has always said the 1992 Constitution is an undemocratic document meant to empower a few individuals without addressing the critical issues facing the masses.

The leader of the League, Ernesto Yeboah, said the 1992 Constitution is “fueling an unequal society”.

In his view, it is time for every Ghanaian to question the provisions in the Constitution and have it quashed for a better document, which will ensure equality and justice.

“Our biggest impediment to economic freedom in our lifetime starts and ends with our Constitution, the 1992 Constitution,” Mr Yeboah said in a speech at an end-of-year gathering of the group on Saturday, 26 January 2019.

In an address which seems to endorse the position of the Fighters, Mr Rawlings said in his keynote address at a parade, wreath-laying ceremony and durbar to climax the activities to mark the 40th anniversary of the June 4 uprising, that: “Over the years, the indemnity clauses have emboldened certain characters to abuse their offices and profit themselves. The Constitution of the Fourth Republic was created by us, for us and to serve us, and in light of the 25 years, there is an unqualified need to reform or rewrite our current constitution. An urgent constituent assembly ought to be established with the necessary powers to rewrite the constitution”.

The former head of state said problematic clauses such as the transitional provisions and the indemnity clauses need to be reviewed to ensure that everyone is equal before the law to encourage transparency, accountability and responsible governance.

Reacting to Mr Rawlings’ comments in a statement on Thursday, 6 June 2019, Mr Yeboah noted that: “When we (Fighters) said the 1992 Constitution must be liquidated because it flies against every democratic principle, you told us we are too radical. Today, Rawlings, the one you claim the ‘Sakawa Constitution’ protects the most, is telling you to remove the indemnity clauses or abolish the Constitution altogether to provide for a just and equal society”.

He continued: “It is shameful that we have to wait for Rawlings to come back after 19 years of handing over power to tell us the obvious. Those of you who argued spiritedly in favour of Rawlings that the indemnity clauses be retained, what is your new excuse now? None of us loves Rawlings more than himself. By his affirmation of our long-held position, he is telling you to ‘stop hiding behind him, you cowards!’”