Former President John Agyekum Kufuor has highlighted the significant powers vested in the presidency by Ghana’s 1992 Constitution.
In a recent interview, Mr. Kufuor discussed the country’s governance structure, emphasizing that the President holds ultimate executive authority in the nation.
His comments follow recent remarks by Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the current Vice President and the flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP). Dr. Bawumia had urged Ghanaians to vote for him in the upcoming elections, promising that, with the mandate of the presidency, he would be able to implement policies to drive the nation’s development. He explained that, as Vice President, his role is largely advisory and lacks the necessary authority to take decisive action.
Kufuor’s statement reinforces the idea that, in Ghana’s political system, the President holds the highest executive power. While acknowledging Bawumia’s good intentions and ideas, Kufuor pointed out that the Vice President’s ability to effect change is limited by his position.
I have been President before; in Ghana, the government is the President. That is how I see it. Ours is an executive presidency. All other persons in government, including the Vice President, are simply advisors. If you offer advice and it is not taken, what can you do?
Kufuor remarked on Asempa FM on November 13.
He reiterated that true power resides in the office of the president, and only by securing that position can one introduce meaningful reforms to improve the country’s fortunes.
