Posted by / Monday 21 November 2016 / No comments

The functions of a Constitution



CONSTITUTION
Definition
A constitution can be defined as rules, regulations, customs and conventions according to which a country is governed. A constitution may be written or unwritten one. It is called a written constitution when all the laws are codified into a single document but where it is made up mainly of conventions and customs with a few written ones, and then it is called an unwritten constitution.

FUNCTIONS OF A CONSTITUTION
Sets up institutions of state
One of the functions of a constitution is to establish the organs of government such as the executive, legislature and the judiciary. The constitution also sets up other relevant institutions of state. In Ghana, some of these institutions established by the constitution include the National Media Commission, the Electoral Commission etc.

Determines the form of government
Another function of a constitution is to pre-determine the form of government that the country must practice. It, for example, determined whether the state should practice a parliamentary or presidential system of government.

Prescribes the functions of government
Another function of a constitution is to outline the various functions of government and the all the institutions established by it. For example, there are specific functions that a legislature, judiciary of an executive should perform.

Determines the type of party system
It is also the function of a constitution to pre-determine the type of party system a country should adopt. The constitution could therefore allow, by law, that the country should operate multi-party, two-party or a one party system of government.

Source of prestige
When a country becomes independent of her colonial masters, one of the various ways by which she would be recognized is for it to have her own unique constitution. Most modern states use it to show the world that they have also attained independence.

SAMPLE QUESTION
1. a. Define a constitution.
    b. Highlight five functions of a constitution.

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