Mahama's constitutional reforms target the good of Ghanaians; not seeking to extend his tenure - Mr. Benjamin Quashie

Mr. Benjamin Kofi Quashie, Chair of South African Council Elders for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has shared his views on the proposed constitutional amendments that President-Elect Mahama intends to implement when he takes office.

"President Mahama intends to implement constitutional amendments that benefit the generality of the Ghanaian, not seeking to extend his tenure as president", he emphasised.

Mr. Quashie made these remarks in an interview on Kessben 92.9 FM, Monday, December 16, 2024. He argued that the Constitutional Review is long overdue and needs an overhaul, proposing some areas which he thinks the NDC government should consider.

He suggested that there should be an amendment to the National Development Planning Commission statute to compel governments to align with the development plans of the commission. "As it stands, though governments must deal with the NDPC, I think there should be some added caveats to make it more binding", he stressed.

Again, the SA Council of Elders Chair averred that the current situation where a lot of power is vested into the hands of one man needs to be addressed going forward. It has been a major concern for most Ghanaians and some changes are needed.

Sharing his views on the inadequacy of the four-year mandate of governments, Mr. Quashie intimated the four-year tenure was enough if only elected presidents were focussed on delivering on their mandate. "The four years might not be enough but, President Mahama started terminal 3 and Ridge Hospital in his first two years" quizzing, "how long did he take to complete it? The four years is ok if one concentrates on their mandate", he averred.

Nonetheless, he underscored the fact that President Mahama isn't a novice in governing a country. He noted he had already served a previous four years and this current mandate should be a continuation, pointing out that the four years should be enough for him. "He knows how to run a country because he has done so before", he emphasised.

"Four years is enough for him to have institutional reforms; four years is enough reset to bring benefits to Ghanaians... This is the reason why President Mahama is very concerned with the team he wants to work with", he stated.

It was his considered view that from all intents and purposes, the country would be reset to benefit all Ghanaians, urging for calm, support and hope in the coming years.