The Constitution Review Consultative Committee has put forth a proposal to eliminate Article 68 (5) from the constitution.
This change would require the president to pay taxes on his income and benefits, setting a precedent for all citizens.
The committee is of the opinion that this amendment would embody the concept of legal equality and be in harmony with the principles of the rule of law.
At a recent consultation session regarding potential constitutional amendments, Inusah Fuseini, the former MP for Tamale Central, outlined several of the committee’s suggestions. This committee was initiated by the Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Osei-Kyei-Mensah Bonsu, in 2023.
“They say that it flouts equity rules, where the President receives money from the public purse and does not pay tax on his emoluments. They recommended an amendment to the Constitution to allow the President to pay tax on his earnings,” he explained.
The Committee established by the government has also proposed that the size of Parliament be capped.
The committee argues that there must be consequential amendments to Article 93 to ensure that Parliament consists of not more than 277 elected Members.
The committee believes that such a move would see consequential amendments to Article 47 to ensure that Ghana is divided into as many constituencies for the purpose of election of MPs as the Electoral Commission (EC) may prescribe how so but the number of constituencies shall not exceed 277.
The committee also recommended that the size of government be capped and the privilege to appoint Deputy Ministers be expunged.
It argues that the position of Regional Ministers should be abolished similar to Deputy Ministerial positions.
The committee said the President shall appoint as many Ministers of State as may be necessary for the efficient running of the state. However, the number of Ministers shall not exceed 25.