Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II says flaws and complexities witnessed in Ghana’s democratic practice emanates from attempts to learn and combine the systems of the United States of America (USA) and the United Kingdom (UK).
The US practices the Presidential system while the UK practices the Parliamentary System. These practices, His Majesty observes has been combined in Ghana, creating complexities and difficulties in governance and democracy.
“We have combined the Parliamentary System of the UK and the Presidential system by the US. How can that work for us? Meanwhile, in the practice of the UK, the Prime Minister is part of Parliament and renders account to the House every now and then.
“In the practice of the US which we have also adopted, the President doesn’t render account to Parliament. You don’t bring the President in to answer questions. After reading the State of the Nation Address (SONA), the President leaves and Parliament deliberate about it during which the House have no chance to question the President.”
Otumfuo made this comment when the Speaker of Parliament, Rt Hon Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin called on him at the Manhyia Palace on June 30 2024.
The Speaker is on a three-day visit to the Ashanti Region as part of nationwide activities marking the 30th anniversary celebration of the Fourth Republic.
Speaking at the meeting, the Speaker indicated that Ghanaians lack the requisite knowledge about the country’s democracy.
“We had been practising what we call a multi-party democracy system for 30 years. Many Ghanaians don’t understand what that means. We reached a number of milestones we should take advantage of and get down to the people for them to understand yet we don’t do so. For example, our Silver Jubilee as a democracy in the 4th Republic passed by. We just assumed that Ghanaians know what democracy is but definitely what is happening clearly shows that our people don’t understand.
“I listen to radio and hear many talk about democracy about speech but that is not democracy. It’s not just about talking. It’s about dialoguing, it’s about recognizing the diversity of life. How do we factor everybody’s interest? How do we live in peace and harmony? How do we imbibe discipline, honesty, and integrity in the system so that we can reap the benefit that God has so richly endowed us with?”
According to him, the misunderstanding of democracy creates the panic the country feels in election years.
He is therefore embarking on a nationwide tour to educate the masses.
The Speaker will host a public forum on Monday, July 1, 2024, and then a Mock Parliament on July 2 as part of the celebration.
He was accompanied by his wife, Linda Ofosuaa, the Second Deputy Speaker, Hon Andrew Adomako Asiamah, the MP for Asokwa, Hon Patricia Appiagyei, the MP for Sekyere Afram Plains, Hon Alexander Adomako Mensah, the MP for Asante Akim Central, Hon Kwame Anyimadu-Antwi, Clerks of Parliament and other Parliamentary staff.
Source: Manhyia Palace
