Former President John Agyekum Kufuor has proposed the creation of a second chamber of Parliament made up of traditional rulers, religious leaders, academics, trade unions and distinguished retired public servants, arguing that Ghana’s current legislative structure is not enough to guarantee quality governance.
Speaking in an interview on AM Show, the former president said the proposed body would serve as a “house of wisdom and experience,” offering independent advice on national issues without partisan political pressure.
“I would rather have a second house composed not so much based on democracy, but of identifiable institutions in the land,” Mr Kufuor said.
According to him, the chamber could be limited to between 50 and 60 members and include individuals who have served the country with distinction in public office.
He suggested that former Chief Justices, former Inspectors General of Police, former Chiefs of Defence Staff and other accomplished retired officials could be considered for such roles.
Mr Kufuor explained that the purpose of the proposed chamber would not be to weaken democratic governance but rather to strengthen decision-making by providing thoughtful and experienced perspectives on national matters.
“I would rather have people who have served with distinction and retired to come and share their wisdom openly,” he said.
The former president also distinguished his proposal from the current Council of State, which primarily advises the president behind closed doors.
He argued that a second chamber should deliberate publicly so citizens can hear the advice offered to government institutions, even if the executive ultimately decides not to follow it.
Unlike the Council of State, whose meetings are held in camera, the proposed chamber would operate openly and place its counsel on the public record, he said.
Mr Kufuor dismissed concerns that establishing another legislative body could increase the cost of governance.
“You want quality, you must try to pay for it,” he stated.
Ghana has operated a unicameral parliamentary system under the Parliament of Ghana since the start of the Fourth Republic of Ghana in 1993.
While discussions around constitutional reforms, including the possible restructuring of Parliament, have surfaced periodically in national debates, no formal steps have been taken toward establishing a second legislative chamber.
Mr Kufuor served two terms as president from 2001 to 2009 under the New Patriotic Party.
Source: adomonline.com
