The Chairman of the National Economic Dialogue planning committee, Dr. Ishmael Yamson, has called for a review of the 1992 Constitution to introduce stronger checks and balances on presidential appointments.
Dr. Yamson expressed concern over the growing trend of political appointments based on party loyalty rather than merit, describing it as a major contributor to corruption and Ghana’s economic challenges.
He noted that the President’s unrestricted power in making appointments needs proper regulation to ensure that only qualified and competent individuals are selected for key positions.
Speaking on TV3’s Hot Issues with Keminni Amanor on Sunday, March 9, Dr. Yamson stated, “For me, the constitution needs checks and balances strong enough to ensure that even though the President will have the power to appoint everybody, there are mechanisms in place to vet and scrutinize these individuals.”
He further stressed that political considerations should not overshadow meritocracy in governance, emphasizing that appointments should be based on competence, shared values, and a commitment to national service rather than political affiliations or electoral rewards.
Dr. Yamson lamented that the lack of merit-based appointments has significantly contributed to corruption, economic struggles, and poor governance.
“If you give one person the power to appoint every public official, that person wields enormous authority, and if they lack a nationalist mindset, their appointments will not reflect the country’s best interests,” he warned.
He added that Ghana has lost the culture of meritocracy, which he described as the foundation of effective leadership and national progress.
To address this, he called for urgent reforms to ensure that appointments are strictly based on competence, integrity, and the ability to serve the nation effectively.
