Interior Minister, Ambrose Dery, has refuted claims that January 7, declared by government to celebrate Ghana’s constitution is an idle holiday.

According to him, it is wrong to assume that the day is a nonstarter as the day creates an opportunity for people to reflect on the country’s democratic governance. Mr Dery explained that when President Akuffo-Addo made the decision for the day to be recognized as a holiday and was subsequently taken to parliament for legislators to declare January 7 a Constitutional Day, some people thought it was “an idle holiday”.

“It is not an idle holiday. We want people to wake up from complacency that we think we have arrived as a multi-party democracy. Yes, within the region, we are a shining example but I believe the Constitutional Day should give us an opportunity to reflect, improve and consolidate”.
Mr Dery

Mr Dery indicated that Ghanaians should work towards becoming more tolerant. Citing the current impasse in Parliament over the approval of the electronic transaction levy, he emphasized the need for tolerance.

“One aspect of our democratic attitude that we must develop and build on is tolerance. Tolerance of different views and that is what we need to build on… What is happening in Parliament now in the Fourth Republic is a matter of concern. I say so and I want to put it in context”.
Mr Dery

The constitution, Mr Dery explained, requires that people are tolerant and he noted that he was looking forward to “us doing the right thing”.

“Tolerating each other’s views in Parliament and reflecting the nature of the people we represent and continue to build our democracy, that is what I look forward to”.
Mr Dery

Commenting on the e-levy initiative proposed by government which is intended to widen the country’s tax net, the Nandom legislator expressed that the initiative has been misunderstood.

“The E-levy is being misunderstood… I am calling on all concerned to reconsider and support us moving forward to help us get the necessary resources to build Ghana and move towards a Ghana Beyond Aid”.
Mr Dery

Mr Ambrose Dery intimated that the resources generated from the levy will be used for developmental projects such as the construction of roads and provide job opportunities for the unemployed youth in the country.

NCCE calls for reformation of constitution

Meanwhile, the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) has revealed that calls for the reformation of the 1992 Constitution should be made a national priority.

Contained in a statement to commemorate the constitution day, the Commission noted that this will strengthen the country’s participatory democracy and sovereignty.

According to the Commission, a reformation of the constitution will “help tackle constitutional deficits and aspects of the 1992 Constitution that seemingly breed apathy from the public, disengages the public in major aspects of governance at the grass root and national levels, further deepens marginalization, promotes excessive powers of the Executive and festers the course of corruption”.

The Commission called for the support for a reform since the country’s constitutional framework is hinged on the “cardinal pillars of freedom, justice, probity and accountability, liberty, equality of opportunity and prosperity”.