Ghana, once hailed as a beacon of democracy in Africa, now finds itself in the midst of an unsettling constitutional crisis.Over the years, successive governments have exploited loopholes in the Constitution, deepening mistrust among citizens and fostering a dangerous political stalemate.
This situation has been long in the making, driven by the unchecked power of the presidency and the systematic manipulation of key national institutions.The fruits of these many seeds of continuous tinkering are manifesting in today's political paralysis and may serve as the final warning before a potential explosion of national discontent.The President's Unchecked PowersAt the heart of the problem lies the over-concentration of power in the office of the President.
Ghana's Constitution grants the President the authority to make critical appointments, ranging from heads of state institutions to judges, including the Chief Justice, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), and the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission.
While this is intended to ensure a smooth administrative process, it has, over time, become a tool for political patronage.This unchecked power allows sitting Presidents to appoint party loyalists, some of whom may not even meet the qualifications for the positions they hold.