Kufuor Advocates Scrapping Of Vice President Post

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Category: Elections & Governance

Created on Friday, 11 July 2014 00:00

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Kufuor Advocates Scrapping Of Vice President Post

Former President John Agyekum Kufuor is calling for changes in the governance structure, especially in the executive and the legislative arms of government.

The former President advocated the scrapping the position of Vice President; to be replaced by a Prime Minister with the responsibility of leading government business in Parliament.

He said the Prime Minister should be made to be accountable to Parliament while the President concentrates on other business of national importance.

Former President Kufuor made the call when members of the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) Winner Takes All (WTA) Advisory Committee paid a courtesy call on him at his residence in Accra.

The meeting was intended to solicit his opinion on whether the winner takes all system of governance should be abolished after being practised for more than 20 years.

He said, another area in the governance structure that needs change is the Council of State, to be replaced by a Second Chamber of Parliament.

He said, the Second Chamber whose membership should be non-partisan should be made responsible for the vetting of ministers and judges, including overseeing the activities of the first chamber.

“The establishment of the Second Chamber of Parliament must sound costly, but we should think of its value, which will strengthen our democracy and institutions,” he said.

Former President Kufuor also advocated the extension of the term of the presidency to five years from the current tenure of four years, with another chance for recontest.

He said, the current four- year tenure is like a sprint as it does not allow the President to do a solid work.

He explained that, with the proposed five-year period, the President would be able to use the first two years to get on top of issues, and then the other remaining years to implement his policies.

He said, there should also be a constitutional body apart from the Presidency to appoint the Electoral Commissioner with its tenure of office being determined.

Mr Kufuor said the Electoral Commissioner should not be given a security of tenure.

With regards to the proposal by the IEA WTA Advisory Committee over the introduction of proportional representation in Parliament, former President Kufuor thought otherwise.

He said, with the proportional representation, citizens who have the right to elect their representatives would be deprived of their right of choice.

He however called for the strengthening of institutions to be able to provide good governance.

Justice Emile Short, member of the IEA-WTA Advisory Committee commended the former President for his inputs and promise to give the issues he raised much consideration.

Source: GNA