We need a constitution that caps number of ministers – Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu

The Majority Leader, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, has called for a review of the 1992 Constitution to limit the number of ministers appointed by the president.

According to him, the time is ripe for amendments to be made to the country’s supreme laws of the country for them to reflect the ever-changing needs of the contemporary world.

Speaking at the launch of the 30th anniversary of parliamentary democracy, the Suame legislator outlined several benefits to be achieved with the consideration of constitutional reform.

“The 1992 constitution has undoubtedly served some good in the last three decades. I must, however, admit that some assumptions underpinning some reformations no longer hold or are not supported by current social-political realities.

“This underlines the calls by various stakeholders for the review of the 1992 Constitution. It is time to re-engineer our constitutional architecture to conform to today’s realities.”

He added, “We need a constitutional order that would mitigate the winner takes all attitude and prevent the do-or-die combat associated with our elections. We need a new constitutional order that would prevent the constant increase in the number of seats in Parliament.

“We need a new constitutional order that would put a cap on the number of ministers of state. We need a new constitutional order that would ensure that the Speaker of Parliament is a serving member of Parliament,” the Suame MP said.

Meanwhile, the Minority in Parliament has called on President Nana Akufo-Addo to merge some ministries and reduce the number of staffers under his leadership.

For instance, the Minority proposes merging the Information and Communication Ministry.

Again, the NDC is proposing one ministry for transport and railways.

Additionally, they prefer the consolidation of sanitation and the local government ministry.