The Trades Union Congress (TUC) has supported the proposed extension of Ghana’s presidential term from four to five years, but insists that the change must be accompanied by reforms to strengthen governance and accountability.
According to them, while it has taken note of the government’s acceptance of the proposal, a longer presidential tenure could also expose citizens to the consequences of poor governance for an extended period.
The union therefore called for the proposed extension to be considered alongside other constitutional reforms aimed at improving the country’s governance system.
Speaking to the press on Wednesday September 9, TUC Secretary-General Joshua Ansah, stressed that extending the presidential term without addressing other weaknesses in the governance framework would defeat the broader objective of the constitutional review.
“One cannot therefore merely agree to tenure extension and leave everything else the same,” the TUC said.
The union has also backed the proposal to bar sitting Members of Parliament from serving as Ministers of State, Deputy Ministers or Regional Ministers.
However, the TUC disagrees with a separate proposal that would prevent an MP who resigns from Parliament from being appointed as a minister during the same parliamentary term.
It argues that such a restriction could unnecessarily limit the government’s ability to appoint qualified persons to ministerial positions.
Source:Fiilafmonline/CitiNews
