The Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) is proposing that the constitution be amended to limit the powers of the President.
The committee has been holding consultations across the country seeking for inputs from Ghanaians in replacing the current winner takes all system of governance.
Vice Chair of the committee, Justice Emile Short in addressing the media on Tuesday said the current system only serves the interest of political parties.
Short added that most of the appointments are done to benefit party supporters thereby overlooking competence.
“Under various articles of the 1992 constitution of the Republic of Ghana, the President has the power to make several appointments, even though in some case this is done in consultation or with the advice or approval of some other bodies, particularly the council of State, whose independence has been questioned.”
In addressing this, the IEA-Winner-Takes All Advisory committee also recommended that parliament is involved in the appointment of heads of the Electoral Commission, the Commission of Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) the Chief Justice, Governor of the Bank of Ghana, the Auditor General, and the Economic and Organised Crime Office etc.
“Appointment of heads of the key constitutional bodies and governance institutions should be made by the president with the approval of two-thirds majority of Parliament.
Furthermore, the committee recommended that the appointment of Members of Parliament as part of the Executive be stopped.
The Executive Director of the IEA, Mrs Jean Mensa said the Institute began in 2006 taking measures to ensure the consolidation of Ghana’s democracy.
“The reform of the Winner-Takes-All syndrome did not begin today…the winner-takes-all practice of governance has been identified as one of the main factors responsible for the growing polarization of the Ghanaian society and politicization of issues of national importance.”
