The Chairman of the Constitution Review Committee, Prof H. Kwasi Prempeh, has unveiled a proposal aimed at addressing the current long and disruptive electioneering period in Ghana.
Speaking on Monday, December 22, during the formal presentation of the committee’s findings to President John Mahama at the Jubilee House, Prof Prempeh discussed the proposed reforms that could reshape the electoral landscape in the country.
Prof Prempeh explained the committee’s concern over the extended campaign periods, which often stretch for months and significantly impact the ability of government officials to focus on governance.
He noted that under the current system, the President typically spends several months setting up for elections and then another year campaigning.
“On the area of campaign and campaigning, because the claim was that the President takes
about six months or so to set up, and then one year campaigning and all of that,” he noted.
This extended process, he argued, leaves little room for effective governance and policy implementation, as the focus tends to shift towards electioneering activities.
Drawing inspiration from other African nations such as Senegal, where campaign periods are strictly defined, Prof Prempeh said the committee proposed the introduction of a campaign season.
This concept would set clear boundaries around electioneering activities, restricting political parties and candidates from engaging in campaigns before the officially designated period.
According to the proposal, this would mean no posters, billboards, jingles, or rallies outside of the specified campaign season, similar to how a fishing season operates, where activities are only permitted within certain timeframes.
“The idea is to have a definite period during which campaigning can take place, and outside of that time, parties and candidates would be prohibited from any form of electioneering,” said Professor Prempeh.
“This would allow the government to focus on the business of governance without being distracted by election-related activities throughout the entire term.”
He emphasised that the proposed change would free up time for elected officials to govern effectively, thereby improving the overall political climate in the country.
If accepted, the reform would bring Ghana closer to an electoral environment where campaigns do not dominate the political landscape for years, as is currently the case.
“if this is accepted, that we will have a political or electoral environment where campaigns, we do not run 24-hour, 24-7, four-year campaigns, but where there is a definite period before which parties and candidates may not do campaigning,” he said.
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