Rawlings wants the 1992 Constitution to be rewritten

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Former President Jerry John Rawlings calls for an urgent re-examination of the constitution that established the Fourth Republic.

Mr. Rawlings, who oversaw the promulgation of the document in 1992 to announce Ghana's return to multi-party democracy, said "there is an absolute need to reform or rewrite our current constitution", after 25 years of its approval.

Addressing cadres and members of the National Democratic Opposition Congress at Nungua Traditional Park in Accra on Tuesday on the occasion of the 40^th Rawlings pointed out that many clauses of the Constitution no longer serve the interests of the people.

"Over the years, the indemnification clauses have encouraged some characters to abuse their functions and take advantage of them. It is obvious that many of our peoples are losing confidence in our constitutional mandate.

"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 current constitution," he said. at the badembly.

The former president has therefore proposed the urgent creation of a constituent badembly with power to rewrite the constitution.

A Constituent Assembly or Constitutional Assembly is an organ or badembly of representatives elected by the people, composed for the purpose of drafting or adopting a constitutional type document.

"Their work would involve the review of all constitutional clauses, especially problematic ones, such as transitional provisions, the compensation clause, among others. This will ensure the equality of all before the law, by promoting transparency, accountability and responsible governance, "explained.

Read Jerry Rawlings' full speech below:

ADDRESS OF H.E. JERRY JOHN RAWLINGS TO DURBAR ON THE 40th ANNIVERSARY OF THE WORLD UNION OF 4 JUNE

PARK OF THE TRADITIONAL AUTHORITY OF NUNGUA

TUESDAY 4 JUNE 2019

Niimei, Naamei,

Party leaders present,
Frames of the Revolution,
Distinguished guests,
Ladies and gentlemen;

It's been 40 long years since June 4, 1979. Four decades ago, if the charge in the atmosphere had been on between midnight and 2 am, the June 4 explosion would have occurred at the beginning from the night of May 15th. Ladies and gentlemen, if those who came to power three months later had learned the lessons of the uprising of 4 June, 31 December 1981 could have been avoided.

Immediately after the PNP government came to power, leaders devalued the essence of the uprising by driving AFRC members out of the country, forgetting that most of the authentic, unrewarded and unrecognized leaders were always in the field. Although the majority of soldiers, military and students still aspired to freedom and justice, the authorities were intent on intimidating, harbading, arresting and persecuting some of them. 39 between them. The motive of these actions was to terrorize our people again in subordination and submission; in short, re-govern people with the fear factor.

Instead, the government of the day faces the challenge of leading a swollen nation ready to continue to remedy the rot of the past, overcome all obstacles and strengthen the unity and determination of our nation. , it is the reverse that has occurred. This increased the fever for June 4th.

Ladies and Gentlemen, some governments and some people occupying positions of authority or power do not care to be respected, to be loved, to be loved or admired; they just want to be feared. Fear hides a healthy challenge and fuels corruption and authoritarianism. The fear of being exploited and abused degenerates into hatred if it is not mastered.

Historically, humanity all over the world has faced revolts and revolutions, resulting in the public execution of royal families in France and Russia, for example. The British royal family survived because the shock of the situation in France taught them a lesson that some of us still have trouble learning about the fundamentals of freedom, justice and democracy in the governance. Humanity has always been defined by its freedom and justice. It's given by God.

Ladies and gentlemen, when we remember the recent image of the great and pious statesman, Pope Francis, kneeling down to kiss the feet of "warlike statesmen", to beg them to recognize and appreciate the value of the life and dignity of their own South Sudanese people, reminds us of the abuse of power of so-called leaders and shepherds from around the world. Comrade Ibn Chambas could be inspired by his eminence and try to kiss the feet of some of the Chokosies, Konkombas and his own Nanumbas, and appeal for peace.

My dear compatriots, as we reflect on how or how to ensure permanent peace between certain warring factions or regions in our country, I would like to take this opportunity to remind our brothers in Africa of South the role we all played. in the past to bring about change in this great country. At the very time we were contributing to their liberation, the apartheid regime was also funding perfidious black Africans in our countries.

The time has come for them to improve the security of those who supported and supported them in their struggle, denouncing the traitors who worked with apartheid in South Africa. These traitors must be exposed while they continue to treacherously present themselves as patriots. It is not uncommon for some African nationals to collaborate with Western governments to violate their country's resources. However, collaborating with an apartheid regime was not only unreasonable, but extremely repugnant.

Ladies and gentlemen, a few months ago, I called all the news, because a certain Alhaji Yusif would have forgiven me the demolition of his hotel, because he thought that I thought he would was co-owner with Sam Jonah and that he was funding the project. opposition party. In the first place, he is not in a position to forgive anyone, not even the bush rat of his hometown. God has nothing to do with illegal structures; it had nothing to do with the application of the law.

Governments do not seem to be restrained when it comes to demolishing the structures of the poor in waterways or in unauthorized areas. But grown-ups seem to be above the law and untouchable. If the weather were reversible, I would do it again and again and take with them their new gargantuan structures in the waterways.

By the way, your respectable law enforcers have reported the structures, which have recognized the potential danger that the building could cause. And to say that I am accused of ordering the demolition because I had a bone to choose with your Sam Jonah. Sam Jonah, by the way, is no stranger to have a treacherous appetite and more greedy than your small hotel. I am not sure that the misuse of my name will win you all the sympathy. Your financial pretensions and those granted by the court were exaggerated, but that's how you like to mix business with politics.

Ladies and gentlemen, we have allowed the rottenness of our countries and our continent to continue unchecked for so long. We had our noses turned and watched extremely terrible leaders subject our people to the greatest suffering, letting them mbadacre themselves on the basis of ethnicity and religion, year after year. This is not peculiar to other nations; but in Ghana too, to the extent that we have omissions or additions, has allowed decay to destroy the moral fabric of our society.

Ladies and gentlemen, many constitutional clauses do not serve our interests. Over the years, indemnification clauses have encouraged some characters to abuse their functions and take advantage of them. It is obvious that many of our peoples are losing confidence in our constitutional mandate. 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 should be created with the necessary powers to rewrite the constitution.

Their work would involve the review of all constitutional clauses, in particular problematic provisions, such as transitional provisions, the compensation clause, among others. This will ensure the equality of all before the law, by promoting transparency, accountability and responsible governance. It is to be hoped that the Constituent Assembly will embody the character of the Ghanaian people in shaping a development agenda devoid of allegiances of blind parties and unscrupulous political promises. Our journey towards a developed nation should rather be an ingrained disposition.

In keeping with our theme for this year, "Developing a National Character for Sustainable Good Governance," it was time for our development conversation to include a sustainable future goal of enabling future generations to access a clean air. , with a clean water and environment. . Our discipline today guarantees our sustainability for tomorrow.

Our current sense of self-discipline is at its lowest. Citizens do not feel responsible enough to keep their homes and communities clean. Many of us who are lamenting about floods during the rainy season are very guilty of the indiscretions that led to the deadly floods. We reject waste indiscriminately and wonder why the drains are choked. Some see the rains as an opportunity to throw garbage, believing that rainwater will carry them away. If we maintain this level of anarchy, we will be forced to deal with more serious flood disasters. The key to our development is increased self-discipline in our approach to everyday life. Let's all do a thorough introspection and identify the weaknesses of each, because we do not do it one way or another.

Comrades, I ask you all to remember the discipline that encouraged us to perform on June 4 and to replicate it on our roads, in our clbadrooms and in our institutions. If we do not develop a national character for good sustainable governance, we would have failed this generation and especially generations to come. Is this the legacy we want to leave in the future?

Ladies and gentlemen, to conclude, allow me to congratulate all Muslims for the successful conclusion of the Ramadan period. Your 30-day fasting period aims to cleanse us from our sins and renew our relationship with Allah. When you break your fast with the Eid ul Fitr festival, we all join you in thanking Allah for his generous guidance and protection. Eid Mubarak to all our brothers and sisters.

Thank you and God bless you all.