Rawlings calls for removal of indemnification clauses against Ayariga – Sam George

General News of Saturday, June 8, 2019

Source: 3news.com

2019-06-08

MP for Ningo Prampram Electoral District, Samuel Nartey George, says the appeal by former President Jerry John Rawlings in favor of revising the indemnification clauses provided for in Ghana's constitution 1992 was a simple gesture by the deputy of Central Bawku, Mahama Ayariga. , who is currently on trial for allegations of corruption.

During the June 40th procession of the June 4th uprising in Nungua, Accra, the keynote speech at a parade, the wreath laying and the durbar were quoted. The architect of the uprising said that many constitutional clauses do not serve the national interest.

He observed that some beneficiaries of the indemnification clauses are hiding behind an immunity to milk the state. Mr Rawlings therefore called for the urgent establishment of a constituent badembly to examine them.

"Over the years, the indemnification clauses have encouraged some characters to abuse their functions and take advantage of them. The constitution of the Fourth Republic was created by us, for us and to serve us, and in the light of 25 years, there is an unqualified need to reform or rewrite our present constitution. An urgent constituent badembly must be put in place with the necessary powers to rewrite the constitution, "said Rawlings.

The call of the former president has sparked a debate about whether it is possible or not to review the indemnification clauses when they have been withheld and, in in the affirmative, if it is even necessary. A lengthy discussion on the issue focused on the type of people that the former president was eventually referring to, recognizing that there have been instances where government appointees, including a sitting president, have been tried.

Some are of the opinion that Mr. Rawlings may have referred to the general review of the 1992 constitution that was initiated under the NDC Atta Mills administration, and not necessarily to the "sunset clauses". compensation.

The private jurist, Bobby Benson, argued that it was possible that the remarks of the former president have not been informed by a legal understanding of what is possible in law, but said that there had been a general consensus on the revision of the constitution.

For the Ningo Prampram MP, Mr. Rawlings' allegations that "some indemnification clauses have encouraged some characters to abuse and take advantage of their duties" can not be true, citing the former MP from Paga-Chiana, Abuga Pele and former President John Dramani. Mahama, as examples of government officials who were prosecuted even during their tenure.

According to Sam George, he believes that Mr. Rawlings was only "casting a shadow on Ayariga," who was sentenced the same day to appear in court for his hearing, but hesitated to claim that he was harming parliamentary immunity.

Sam George added that Mr. Rawlings himself was the largest beneficiary of the compensation clause.