MY TAKE ON THE TRANSITION PROCESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF GHANA, JANUARY 2017.
MY TAKE ON THE
TRANSITION PROCESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF GHANA, JANUARY 2017.
Let me use
this singular opportunity to convey my sincere good will congratulations to HIS EXCELLENCY NANA ADDO DANKWA AKUFO ADDO, the president of the REPUBLIC OF GHANA. I am the happiest
person today not because you have ascended the highest throne but because Ghana
has demonstrated once again to the world that we are rapidly advancing our
democratic credentials. Every patriotic citizen should be a proud and happy
person for this solidarity, harmony, diversity in strength as well as
nationalism against self-centeredness.
Nonetheless,
I have ordinarily noticed some critical issues that deserve attention in our
quest to advancing our enviable democratic dispensation. My piece is to succinctly
point out some of these observations which I believe many legal and political
pundits would have noticed too.
Firstly, I
observed that incoming members of parliament as it were, were sworn in after
the Rt. Hon Speaker was elected. My
confusion is that, once they were not sworn in, they were not legally
recognized as members of parliament so how could they have exercised any voting
Right?
In my view,
I think there is a need for amendment of portions of the standing orders and
the constitution to create room for the CLERK
who before the election of the speaker acts as the chairperson for proceedings,
to swear in the incoming members of parliament before proceeding, to conduct
elections on the speaker and his two deputies.
Again, between the time that the new
parliament is inaugurated and adjourned and the time that the president elect
is to be sworn in, the state technically is naked without a president and that
could be dangerous. Fortunately, I was vindicated when the minority leader, Hon. Haruna Iddrisu mentioned same. Something should be done to close that gap.
I have the strongest conviction that the seventh Parliament will do something
to fill up that I consider a constitutional loophole.
More
importantly, I need to raise issues on the swearing in of the vice president
elect before the president elect. For now, it is legal because it has been a
long standing convention not only in Ghana but other countries. In my ordinary
analysis, we should have a second look at it. The President elect should first
make his covenant with the state and then, the vice. I say this because; the
role of the vice president is more of an assisting role. Also his authority
only comes after the authority of the president. Besides, what would happen in
any event that the president Elect is unable to take his oath after the vice
has been sworn in? Yes I know the vice will be acting as the president while
that of his, becomes vacant? In the absence of the president, the vice steps in
as explicitly stipulated in article 60
of the 1992 constitution. In my understanding, the president is first and the
vice is second. Let me put it this way, once there is no head, there is no
tail. There should not be any circumstances where we have the tail first and
then the head.
There is
another issue we should not treat lightly because of the sanctity and the
spirit of our national constitution. During the oaths of both the Vice
President and the President, certain portions in the oath were replaced. For instance, the VICE PRESIDENT pronounced “SOVEREIGNTY" as "INSOVEREIGNTY". Also the president
Nana Akufo Addo replaced “WELLBEING" for “WELFARE" I believe it was not
deliberate but believe me, in other jurisdictions, the PRESIDENT would have to retake the oath as in the of USA where
President Obama was asked to retake the oath. These are issues people can raise
legal queries against in the near future as we grow. We need to meticulously
prepare people who are to go through such constitutional mandated events to
avoid such a legal murder.
Also, such a
state function is very important beyond the investiture but to solidify the commitment to our democratic
transition in the face of the citizenry and the world. In my humble view,
outgoing Presidents should have the opportunity to give keynote addresses as part
of outgoing governments support to the incoming governments. This is more
important than the show of gestures and handshakes. The speech of guest
speakers should come before that of the number one gentleman of the land. In
the recent case, president Nana Akufo
Addo spoke and had to sit for a long time waiting for others to deliver
their speeches. Per standard protocol, the president should climax the ceremony
with his speech and not any other speaker(s).
More so, on
the aspect of the speech, the PRESIDENT
delivered a very inspiring and statesmanlike speech. I must thank him for that
wonderful and visionary speech. However, there is one thing that would have
gone unnoticed but for the inquisitive nature or otherwise the proactive nature
of the media. Soon after the speech, it was discovered that the speech was
plagiarized from different speeches. In fact, this has brought embarrassment to
the nation and I must say, I am very disappointed at the speech writer of the PRESIDENT. The issue has been all over
the international media. I think such a crime and intellectual theft is
avoidable and those who caused it must be sacked immediately to avoid any
future embarrassment of that sort. Such a crime has never happened in the
history of Ghana. It is absolutely unprecedented and smacks magnanimous
incompetence and national shame.
Another
thing that has been conspicuous and consistent is the degree at which political
party fanatics display political colours at such events. The colours are not
only showcased by these party activists but they use such partisan cloaks to
heckle and mock candidates who loss elections. This is not good for such a
state function. If care is not taken, such platforms could be reduced to
political party programs in the future. To paint such programs truly statutory,
certain rules must prevent political parties from such partisan acts.
Those are my
observations and suggestions and I stand for any corrections on any of the
issues I raised since some issues are legally oriented that I might have
misjudged.
I take
solace in the fact that we are improving every day and the world is learning
from us. Citizens must know that governance is a collective process and not a
one man job. Unfortunately, when political parties are in opposition, they see
it differently but quick to call for support as soon as they gain power. The
NPP boycotted the 2013 Presidential inauguration but today they call on all and
sundry for support. I congratulate the NDC and all political parties for
contributing greatly to the success of this 2017 presidential investiture.
Political
parties should contribute and work in the collective interest of Ghana and not
start advocating for it after winning political power. That is the only way we
can build a more advanced enviable democratic dispensation in the near future.
It is time to work. For me, as a citizen, I am more than enthused to serve
mother Ghana. I shall loud government when the need be and constructively
criticise when the situation demands. In going forward, tolerance, constructive
criticism, peace, unity, nationalism, patriotism and true citizenship are key
fundamentals that we must pull together and work with all the time for the love
of GOD and NATION BUILDING.
LONG LIVE GHANA.
Denis
Andaban
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