Posted by Chester Morton / Thursday 22 June 2017 / No comments
The main features of the 1957 independence constitution of Ghana
THE MAIN FEATURES OF THE INDEPENDENCE CONSTITUTION OF GHANA
Introduction
On the 6th of March 1957, Ghana became the
first country south of the Sahara to attain political independence from their
colonial masters, the British. This independence came along with a constitution
which was to guide the conduct of the affairs of the new nation.
FEATURES OF
GHANA’S INDEPENDENCE CONSTITUTION
The Executive – Governor-General
The constitution made provision for the position of a
Governor-General. The Governor-General was appointed by the Monarch in London
but this was mostly under the recommendation of the British Cabinet. The
Governor-General represented the British Monarch in Ghana and carried out
functions that would otherwise have been carried out by the Queen.
The Executive – Prime Minister
The constitution also made provision for the position
of a Prime Minister. The constitution empowered the Governor-General to appoint
a Prime Minister but this was to happen only after his or her party emerged as
the dominant party in the National Assembly after a general election. The Prime
Minister was therefore leader of the majority party in Parliament.
The Legislature
The constitution made provision for the establishment
of a bicameral legislature and it was referred to as the National Assembly. It
had a membership of 104 excluding the Governor-General. In addition, provision
was made for a Speaker of Parliament to preside over the conduct of proceedings
of the National Assembly.
Regional Assemblies
The constitution made provisions for the creation of
Regional Assemblies for all the then existing regions. There were sectors like health,
education, communication, agriculture, local government, town and country
planning in the respective regions, came under the purview of Regional Assemblies.
Also any matters that were referred to them by the National Assembly from time
to time were added to their role.
Regional Houses of Chiefs
The independence constitution also created Regional
Houses of chiefs in all the regions at the time. These Regional Houses of
Chiefs handled matters that were referred to it by the National Assembly. It
was also tasked to deal with chieftaincy matters.
The Judiciary
The constitution made provisions for a judiciary which
was hierarchically structured, much like what pertained in Britain. There was to
be created a Court of Appeal, High Court, Circuit Court, District Court, Juvenile
Court and the Family Court. The highest court of appeal, however, remained the
Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in London.
Guaranteeing of Fundamental Human Rights
The constitution made provisions to guarantee the
fundamental human rights of the people of the land. It allowed for free speech,
freedom of movement, religion, political persuasion, etc.
SAMPLE
QUESTION(S)
1. Highlight six of the main features of the
independent constitution of Ghana.
