Renowned legal scholar and social commentator, Professor Kwaku Asare, popularly known as Kwaku Azar, has called on Ghana’s incoming 9th Parliament to seize the opportunity for transformative reforms following the dramatic outcome of the December 7 elections.
In a reflective post, Professor Azar noted that the electorate’s shift from a split parliament four years ago to a decisive supermajority sends a strong message of dissatisfaction with the current governance system. He described the results as both a mandate and a call to action for the 9th Parliament to deliver meaningful structural reforms that address the core challenges facing the country.
Highlighting key areas for reform, Professor Azar underscored the urgency of:
- Local government reform to enhance decentralization and accountability.
- Overhauling the legal education system to expand access and ensure fairness.
- Judicial reforms aimed at restoring public trust and strengthening the rule of law.
- Establishing a comprehensive code of conduct for public officials to promote integrity.
- Financial management reforms to curb fiscal mismanagement.
- Campaign finance regulations to reduce the influence of money in politics.
- Aggressive anti-corruption measures to tackle systemic graft.
As the 8th Parliament nears the end of its term, Professor Azar also called on lawmakers to act swiftly in passing the Constitution Amendment Bill, 2021, and forwarding it to the President for assent. This, he argued, would set a strong foundation for the incoming Parliament to build upon.
“This dramatic swing signals deep frustration with the current governance system,” he wrote. “GOGO urges the 8th Parliament to conclude its work with urgency.”
The shift in parliamentary composition comes amidst growing public discontent with governance, making the upcoming legislative term a pivotal moment in Ghana’s political history.
With the electorate demanding change, all eyes are now on the 9th Parliament to rise to the occasion and deliver reforms that will address the nation’s structural challenges and meet the expectations of the Ghanaian people.
Below is his full post:
Four years ago, voters opted for a split parliament; today, they have decisively shifted to a supermajority. This dramatic swing signals deep frustration with the current governance system and serves as both a mandate and a call to action for the 9th Parliament to implement meaningful structural reforms.
Key priorities should include local government reform, legal education overhaul, judicial reform, a comprehensive code of conduct for public officials, financial management reform, campaign finance regulation, and anti-corruption measures.
Meanwhile, GOGO urges the 8th Parliament to conclude its work with urgency by passing the Constitution Amendment Bill, 2021 and forwarding it to the President for assent without delay.
Da Yie!
