BY Issah Olegor
Former President John Agyekum Kufuor has reignited the constitutional reform debate by proposing the creation of a second parliamentary chamber to oversee appointments to key independent institutions.
The proposal, according to him, would serve as a safeguard against what he described as the “excessive appointing powers” of the executive.
Kufuor made the call on Friday, September 26, 2025, while speaking at a high-level media forum organized by the Africa Media Bureau at the Alisa Hotel in Accra.
His comments come amid renewed public debate on whether the National Media Commission (NMC) and the National Communications Authority (NCA) should be merged, a conversation he believes must go hand in hand with broader governance reforms.
Concerns Over Presidential Powers
The former President argued that Ghana’s current political arrangement grants too much influence to the presidency, especially regarding appointments to independent state bodies.
“Currently, everybody is saying the president has too much power, especially when it comes to appointments. That is where the issue of undue political advantage comes in,” Mr. Kufuor cautioned.
Under the 1992 Constitution, the President has wide-ranging authority to appoint heads of regulatory agencies and members of constitutional commissions, often in consultation with the Council of State or subject to parliamentary approval.
Critics have long argued that this concentration of power undermines the independence of state institutions, making them vulnerable to partisan capture.
Proposal for Second Chamber
While reiterating his support for Ghana’s executive presidency, Mr. Kufuor stressed that checks and balances must be strengthened.
He suggested replacing the Council of State—an advisory body whose role has often been questioned—with a second parliamentary chamber composed of representatives from professional groups, civil society, and key state institutions.
“I will say on the principles of checks and balances, I might consider that idea that instead of the Council of State, I will suggest a second chamber, which will be composed of institutions, and that is where appointments to independent bodies like the NMC and NCA can be made,” he explained.
According to him, such a chamber would not only vet nominees but also ensure that appointments are made in a transparent and accountable manner.
“It shouldn’t be just the president saying so. There should be a body within the law, which is the second chamber, doing the vetting for people who will be recommended. So when they get their positions to be independent, they will work as such,” he added.
Background to the Debate
Calls for reforming Ghana’s constitutional framework are not new.
Since the Constitutional Review Commission (CRC) was set up in 2010 under the Mills administration, several recommendations—including proposals to review presidential powers, strengthen independent institutions, and reconsider the relevance of the Council of State—have remained unresolved.
The NMC and NCA, in particular, have frequently been at the center of political controversy.
While the NMC is mandated to insulate the media from government interference, the NCA regulates telecommunications and broadcasting. Both institutions play vital roles in shaping Ghana’s democratic space, yet their leadership appointments often attract scrutiny over political bias.
Renewed Conversation on Reforms
Mr. Kufuor’s intervention is expected to stir further debate among policymakers, civil society groups, and political actors, especially as Ghana continues to grapple with calls for institutional independence and democratic accountability.
