The issue of presidential powers to choose key officials such as the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Chief Justice, and CEOs of state-owned enterprises has long been a contentious one in many countries.
Advocates for abolishing these powers argue that it is essential for the independence and autonomy of these institutions, as well as for the overall functioning of a democratic society.
There is a risk of nepotism, favoritism, and cronyism in the selection process when the President has the authority to appoint these officials. This results in the appointment of officials who are not the most qualified or competent for the job, leading to inefficiency and corruption within these institutions.
Furthermore, the appointment of these officials by the President undermines the separation of powers between the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government. Giving the President the authority to choose these key officials, there is a risk of consolidating too much power in the hands of one individual, which leads to abuses of power and a lack of checks and balances within the government.
In addition, abolishing presidential powers in choosing these key officials helps to promote public trust and confidence in these institutions.
When these officials are appointed through a transparent and merit-based process, it helps to enhance the credibility and legitimacy of their decisions and actions. This, in turn, helps to strengthen the rule of law and promote good governance in a democratic society.
Ghanaian Highlife musician, Okyeame Kwame has stated that it will take some drastic changes in the political landscape for him to get involved in politics.
The businessman and humanitarian mentioned that he is currently working with a team on a World Bank-sponsored climate project, emphasizing that the work is non-partisan and must be carried out regardless of the political leader.
“A time will come [and] I will do politics but it won’t be as though I want to be, for instance, a Member of Parliament. Before getting involved in politics, I would do my best to change how we elect leaders. The aspiring members of the parliament court favor delegates in the various political parties.
“A lot of money is involved. You give out money, TVs, clothes, and other things. It’s not right in my eyes. And it’s because of such things that the country cannot progress. It was a way of bribing. These things create what I call PIRP: political investment recuperation program.”
Okyeame Kwame
Ensuring that these officials are appointed through a transparent and merit-based process, helps to strengthen the democratic principles and values of a society and promote accountability, transparency, and good governance.
Nana Romeo Advocates Vice, Deputy Roles Must Be Scrapped
Advocating for eliminating vice and deputy roles within the government is based on several determinants.
These positions [vice and deputy roles] often come with salaries, benefits, and additional resources. By eliminating them, governments allocate these resources to more essential areas, such as healthcare, education, or infrastructure development.
With fewer layers of bureaucracy, decision-making becomes more efficient and responsive. This way, important decisions are made more quickly, leading to better governance and more effective implementation of policies.
By eliminating these roles, the focus shifts towards holding individual ministers or officials directly accountable for their actions. This promotes transparency and ensures that those in power take responsibility for their decisions. It also discourages the passing of blame between different levels of government.
Without these roles, governments implement a more merit-based recruitment system. This ensures that the most qualified and capable individuals are appointed to key positions, rather than relying on political considerations or favoritism. A more competent and skilled government workforce leads to better outcomes for citizens.
Media personality, Nana Romeo sparked debate by advocating for eliminating vice and deputy roles within the government.
His argument stems from Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia’s recent admission of limited influence due to his subordinate position, which Romeo believes highlights the redundancy of such roles.
“A multitude of critics won’t deter us from stating the facts. The current NPP administration has proven that vice and deputy roles are useless. If the vice president himself admits to lacking control and thus being ineffective, and if the Deputy Minister for Creative Arts, Okraku-Mantey, remains silent, it reinforces my belief that these positions are unnecessary.
“Whenever they’re questioned, they claim powerlessness. If they reap all the benefits of their roles, why maintain them? Sometimes when confronted with an issue, Okraku-Mantey becomes irritated. It appears that the NPP government is intolerant of criticism.”
Nana Romeo
It’s important to note that there may be differing viewpoints on this issue, and the effectiveness of eliminating vice and deputy roles varies depending on the specific context and government structure.
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