MP for Sunyani East, Kwasi Ameyaw-Cheremeh
Mr. Kwasi Ameyaw-Cheremeh, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Sunyani East Constituency, has reiterated calls for the review of the 1992 Republican constitution.
"We need a constitution that discourages the 'winner takes all' mentality and encourages collaboration, cooperation, collectiveness, and the building of consensus during decision-making at all levels of government," he stated.
Mr. Ameyaw-Cheremeh made the call while speaking at a mock parliament held at the auditorium of Sunyani Technical University in Sunyani.
The Parliamentary Service organized the session as part of activities to commemorate 30 years of uninterrupted parliamentary democracy in the country, under the theme: "Thirty years of Parliamentary Democracy Under the Fourth Republic: The Journey So Far."
The event was attended by MPs, Ministers of State, students, civil society actors and organizations, political parties, youth and women's groups, and traditional leaders.
Mr. Ameyaw-Cheremeh, also the Board Chairman of the Bui Power Authority (BPA), managers of the Bui Generating Station, indicated that some of the provisions, assumptions, and views in the constitution had changed or were not supported by current socio-political and economic realities.
"That is why a number of stakeholders have called for the review of the 1992 constitution," he stated, adding that the country was still grappling with issues of poverty, corruption, unemployment, and many other negatives, after 30 years of the nation's democracy.
However, he added, "We cannot claim that the political leadership of the country has not attempted to address many of these issues over the 30 years of our democratic dispensation under the Fourth Republic."
He said that through legislation, oversight, deliberative functions, and constituency service, "we have established institutions and mechanisms for the delivery of public goals to our people," saying, "In the past three decades, the Republican 1992 constitution has undoubtedly been beneficial to the country."
Mr. Ameyaw-Cheremeh underlined the importance for everyone to be ready to engage whenever the time comes for the review of the 1992 Constitution so that whatever products come out would stand the test of time.
Regarding the impending Election 2024, the MP indicated that elections give the right to choose representatives, demand accountability, and better serve the public interest. As the foundation of parliamentary democracy,
Mr. Ameyaw-Cheremeh advised the youth, in particular, and everyone, to guard the election processes, so as to make the nation proud again on December 7.
Earlier, Mr. Alban Sumana Bagbin, the Speaker of Parliament, advised Ghanaians to remain steadfast, support, and preserve the gains of the nation's fledgling democracy as the general election gathered momentum.
