4th Republic @25: Excessive political powers slowing Ghana’s progress – Ayariga

“Most of the things we want to get right in the last 25 years of Ghana’s Fourth Republic is tied to the review/amendment of the 1992 constitution,” that is the contention of the leader of the All People’s Congress(APC) Hassan Ayariga.

Several politicians have underscored the need to cut the excessive powers of the Executive Arm of Government in order to sustain the best path of establishing an ideal democracy.

Speaking on Anopa Kasapa on Kasapa 102.5 FM, the leader of the All People’s Congress(APC) said irrespective of the sustainable Peace as a hallmark of Ghana’s democracy, the country is taking too long to finetune the excesses of the practice of our democracy.

He intimated, the 1992 Constitution legitimized an elected dictatorship and centralized the country’s system of governance, limiting the other arms of governance and making institutions weak to act.

In his view, separating what he describes as “economic powers from political powers” is the way to go, so as to make institutions of state practically powerful.

“We are practicing a system where all powers of our country are vested in the President to appoint all heads of Institutions, which gives the President so much powers. That is how come there is so much corruption at the Presidency.

The President appoints almost all heads of institutions of our country; what it means is that, political power has taken over our nation, and everybody is now fighting to become a politician in order to head an institution rather than the person’s experience and knowledge that’ll help him acquire that position. but if we are able to separate those powers, that the economies will also handle some part of the affairs our country, for instance National Security- not appointed/headed by the President, the Police Service, not appointed/headed by the President, will curb some kind of powers of the President and give technocrats to be able to manage these institutions and deal with people without fear or favour. But if this is the case, that all these institutions of state, currently are headed by political leaders, what it means is that political power has dominated everything about our nation, so people or institutions cannot practice independently without listening to the Head of State or president of the republic. So if they find faults or issues with the government, they are able to say anything because they might lose their jobs. So indeed, the corruption starts from there and a whole lot of things.”

Mr Ayariga’s remarks come on the heels of the celebration of Ghana’s Silver Jubilee of the Fourth Republic of the country held on Sunday, January 07, 2018 at the Independence Square.



The event brought together Ghanaians from all walks of life and graced by all three living former Presidents – Jerry John Rawlings, John Agekum Kufuor, and John Dramani Mahama.

The first regime of the Fourth Republic saw the reign of Former President Jerry John Rawlings, whose leadership transitioned from a military government to a constitutional rule in response to demands for a more democratic process concerning the governing of the country.

After two terms in office, barred by the constitution from standing in any election, Rawlings endorsed his vice-president John Atta Mills as a presidential candidate in 2000.

Other leaders of the Fourth Republic are ex-President John Agyekum Kufuor, late Professor John Evans Atta Mills and ex-President John Dramani Mahama.

The Fourth Republic is currently headed by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo who was elected in December 2016.