General News of Saturday, 28 August 2010

Source: GNA

Review should deepen democracy and good governance - Asantehene

Kumasi, Aug 28, GNA - Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Asantehene, has counselled Ghanaians to let the national interest become their compass as they sought to review the 1992 Constitution.

He said any amendment made should help to strengthen and deepen the country's democracy and good governance.

Otumfuo Osei Tutu gave the advice when members of the Constitution Review Commission paid a courtesy call on him at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi on Friday.

The Asantehene said Ghana within the last 18 years has made significant strides in entrenching democracy and this needed to be built on.

He made reference to the stability and development of countries like the United States of America and Great Britain and said this had been achieved through long years of democratic governance and that Ghana should take a cue from them.

Otumfuo Osei Tutu encouraged all to give the necessary support and co-operation to the Commission to ensure the success of the exercise.

He said the people should not hesitate to express their views and make recommendations on aspects of the Constitution they would want to be changed or fine-tuned to stand the test of time.

Professor Albert Fiadjoe, Chairman of the Commission, said their work is to articulate the concerns of the people regarding amendments that might be required for comprehensive review of the Constitution.

They had so far toured the Upper East, Upper West, Northern and Brong-Ahafo Regions and received over 32,000 submissions from the people.

Prof. Fiadjoe said the members were in Ashanti to hold a public forum at the Prempeh Assembly Hall from August 30-31 and appealed to the people to come in their numbers to make their submissions.