Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has pledged to review the 1992 constitution if elected president, in a bid to reorient the country’s legal framework towards economic development.
Dr. Bawumia made this promise while addressing the Volta Regional House of Chiefs in Ho, as part of his tour of the region, emphasizing the need for a constitutional shift from democratic stability to economic growth.
He acknowledged that the current constitution was designed to stabilize Ghana’s democracy, a goal that has been achieved over the past 30 years, with the country enjoying a peaceful transition of power and a robust democratic system.
However, Dr. Bawumia believes that the time has come to make changes to the document to prioritize economic development, creating an enabling environment for businesses to thrive and creating jobs for the youth.
He praised the current constitution, describing it as a good document that has served the country well, but stressed that it was created for political stability, which has been achieved, and now needs to be reviewed to focus on economic development.
Dr. Bawumia suggested that the review process should involve broad consultations, building on the initiative started by Prof. Atta Mills, to ensure that the views of all Ghanaians are taken into account.
He also advocated for reducing the power of the presidency, stating that the era of a strong president is past, and that it is time to decentralize power and give more autonomy to other arms of government.
Dr. Bawumia believes that reducing presidential powers will lead to a deeper democracy, with more accountability and transparency, and a greater focus on economic development, creating a more prosperous Ghana.
He expressed his commitment to constitutional reform, aiming to create a more economically focused and democratic Ghana, where the youth can find jobs and the country can achieve sustainable development.
Dr. Bawumia’s promise to review the constitution has been welcomed by many, who see it as a necessary step towards economic development and deepening democracy in Ghana.
