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Constitution not ripe for review - NCCE Boss
By Masahudu Ankiilu Kunateh, Ghanadot

Accra, Jan 15, Ghanadot - The Chairman of the National Commission for Civil Education (NCCE) Mr. Larry Bimi says the 1992 constitution is not yet ripe for review.

He does not see any real difficulties or lapses that warrant a review and prays the constitution could serve four or five generations before being altered.

His comments come only days after President John Mills inaugurated a nine-member commission tasked with the responsibility to review some provisions within the constitutions.

Speaking to Joy FM, a local radio station in Accra, Mr Bimi said the arguments that is being raised in support of the review is not convincing enough.

Referring to demands for the powers of the president to be reduced in the proposed amendments, the chairman of the NCCE said such a proposition could be suicidal in a country hugely divided along ethnic lines. Under the circumstances, he said the President must wield a lot of powers to be able to rule the country.

He also disagrees with the assertion that Parliament has been weakened and needs a constitutional review to exert its powers. Rather, Mr Bimi said the MPs have rather failed to assert their authority as an independent institution.

If anything, Parliament and the Judiciary he said can amend portions of the constitution they deem inimical to the country’s development but stressed government should be cautious in its attempt to review the entrenched provisions in the constitution.

Asked if his position would not compromise his constitutional duty to spearhead the education of citizens on their rights and responsibilities as well as provisions of the constitution, Mr Bimi said his opinions are only personal and is ready to support the decisions taken by government.

But the Attorney General Betty Mould Iddrisu completely disagrees with NCCE boss.

She argued the government will not force the review of the constitution into the throat of Ghanaians, saying, the “people of Ghana needs to decide” whether they prefer the provisions of the constitution in its current state.

She said the time is right for a constitutional review but the decision lies with Ghanaians.

Ghanadot