Ghana’s Constitution Day celebration: Facts and importance of the celebration

Today, January 7, 2020, marks Ghana’s Constitution Day, a holiday set aside to give national recognition to the day Ghana’s 1993 constitution came into effect (1993-2020) 26 years ago.

Flag Source: crossed-flag-pins.com
On January 7, 1993, Ghana switched toward the part of constitutional and democratic governance which gave birth to multi-party democracy again under the fourth republic.

This holiday serves as a recognition of the 4th republican constitutional dispensation of Ghana which started on January 7, 1993. This holiday is also to recognize the country’s effort to maintain and sustain the 4th republic over the years.

We are celebrating a historic document that gave birth to our efforts to master democratic governances and guide our political independence. The constitution will carry no added value in itself as a document if we fail as a nation to implement it in letter and spirit.

We have made attempts to deepen democracy at the district level to constitutionally alter the 1992 constitution of Ghana to bring onboard party colours at the district election only to apply the brakes at the last moment.

Our attempt as a nation to devolve power,  decentralize governance through to the district level and address the needed constitutional amendment well as give life to some aspects of the constitution that have remained dormant must be done in the spirt and desire to improve on our democracy and not to twist the constitution for the benefit of a section of the public.

Importance of the Constitution Day celebration

Among other things, the Constitution Day celebration serves as a reminder for us all as Ghanaians to maintain, guard and preserve Ghana’s democratic dispensation. This day attests to the fact that Ghana’s democratic choice and the path is 26 years old. For this reason, the PNDC government lead by J.J Rawlings is worth commending for the bold steps taken to return this nation to constitutional rule.

Today, Ghana’s path charted some 26 years ago has become a beacon of democracy and a benchmark for nations in Africa and across the world.

READ: Opposition parties to stage ‘Y3npini’ demo against new voters’ register

Though some argue that, the constitution needs fine-tuning and amendments it is worth celebrating the successes we have achieved in the political landscape even with the said flaws within the constitution.

This constitution has delivered 7 presidential elections (1992, 1996, 2000, 2004, 2008, 2012, and 2016). On December 7th, 2020 Ghana will go to the polls again under the 1992 constitution.

These are all important achievements worth reminding ourselves of on this day.

READ: GES Term 2 Lesson Forecast 2019/2020 Out – Download Now

After the 2012 presidential elections, the NPP went to court over alleged irregularities, the 4th republican constitution was put to a robust litmus test over a period of 6 months.

It is worth celebrating the Constitution Day as the supreme court interpretations and verdict were based on this same constitution.

READ: E.C’s justification for a new register flawed-(CFF-GH)

This further solidified our gains under the fourth republic. As we mark the Constitution day, efforts must be made to iron out the rough edges identified in the constitution to ensure, it takes care of the essential changes to improve our political, economic and social gains a decade from today.

I challenge Ghana to translate the 1992 constitution into as many local languages as is possible so that, Ghanaians can read the laws the bind them in their own native languages which will further boost its understanding among the people

For more political news go to POLITICS

Source: |NewsGhana24 |Wisdom Hammond |