Former Ghanaian Supreme Court Justice, William Atuguba, has argued that the practice of allowing presidents to appoint ministers of state from Ghana’s Parliament lacks coherence.
He contends that this undermines the independence and authority of the Parliament, which should serve as a check on the executive branch, including the president and their ministers. Justice Atuguba made these comments during a public lecture titled ‘Protecting Our Democracy: The Role of the Judiciary’ held on October 24, 2023, and criticized the notion that Ghana’s Parliament is truly independent as a deception.
“For example, why should the president be allowed to still be appointing ministers from parliament? People (the parliamentarians) who are to oversee the executive, including the ministers.
“And then a lot of them go and sit there and say this is an independent parliament. Nonsense. Fraud!” he said while answering a question on the independence of state institutions, including parliament.
As a result, the retired judge of the Supreme Court demanded that the 1992 Ghanaian Constitution be revised, particularly with regard to the president’s appointment power.
“We have to look at this constitution properly. The problem is how to get the amendment done,” he added.