Former Speaker of Parliament, Edward Doe Adjaho, has called for constitutional reforms that would allow the President to select ministers without the constraint of appointing them primarily from Parliament.
This follows a pledge by President John Mahama to appoint only 60 ministers.
Speaking on the topic, he argued that John Mahama should have the freedom to choose ministers based on their skills and talents, rather than being limited to lawmakers.
Mr. Doe Adjaho explained that while the current constitution allows the president to select a significant portion of ministers from Parliament, it is time to review that constitutional clause.
He emphasised that the president should have the liberty to “hunt for talent” from a wider pool of individuals outside the legislature.
This, to him, will allow for parliament to have proper oversight of the activities of the executive arm of government.
“Let me be very honest with you, per the constitutional review, we were trying to see where that provision that the majority of ministers should come from parliament to be removed. The president should be given a free hand to hunt for talent. Not everybody wants to go to parliament to become a minister.
“I think that is one area that we should amend the constitution to reflect. That will also enable parliament to scrutinise the executive arm of government more responsibly and constructively. But when they are also part of the government and don’t forget everybody in parliament wants to be a minister, and that is where the problem is,” he stated.
“Appointment of ministers is going to be very difficult, but for me, not everybody can become a minister. But what is important is to try to balance it in the selection.
