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Posted by Chester Morton / Sunday 28 October 2018 / No comments
Five reasons why Ghana opted to become a Republic
FIVE REASONS WHY GHANA OPTED TO BECOME A REPUBLIC
Introduction
In April 1960, the government of Ghana considered changing
the status of the country to a republic. Based on this, a new constitution was
drafted and presented to the National Assembly which was sitting as a
Constituent Assembly. The proposals were unanimously approved in a plebiscite
and the new constitution came into effect on 1st July 1960. There
were five major reasons why the republican proposal was made.
REASONS FOR ADOPTING A REPUBLICAN STATUS
Need for a home-grown constitution
One of the reasons why Ghana opted for a republican status
was that it was felt that the 1957 independent constitution was forced on the
people. In other words, that constitution was an imperialist imposition. After
independence, the people felt the need for a constitution that reflected their
true identity and aspirations as Ghanaians. They wanted a constitution that was
prepared by Ghanaians themselves and not by their former colonial masters.
Remove the subordination of the Supreme Court
Another reason why Ghana opted for a republican status was
the need to cut off the umbilical cord of the nation’s Supreme Court from that
of the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council sitting in London. Under the
1957 constitution of Ghana, though Ghana had a Supreme Court, it was not the
highest Court of Appeal. The highest Court of Appeal was the Judicial Committee
of the Privy Council in London. The adoption of a republican status was going
to remove this subordination and the Supreme Court of Ghana was going to be the
highest court of the land. It also meant the removal of one of the last
vestiges of colonialism.
To feel truly sovereign
The independent constitution, which was in operation at the
time, provided that Ghana’s Head of State should be a representative of the
British Crown; in addition, the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in
London was still the highest Court of Appeal. It felt like Ghana was still
attached, somehow to the apron strings of their colonial masters. The
attainment of republican status was going to cut off all these strings and make
its citizens feel truly sovereign.
Following the traditions of other former British colonies
Prior to Ghana’s proposals to become a republic, other former
British colonies had already attained that status. Burma, now Myanmar had
become an independent republic on 4th January 1948. India had
attained a republican status in 1950 and Pakistan had followed as a republic in
1956. Ghana’s quest for a republican status was therefore nothing new; it was just
in line with the political traditions of other former British colonies before
her.
Membership of the Commonwealth intact
A common tradition of post-independent former British
colonies were their membership of the Commonwealth of Nations. The Commonwealth
is a club, sort of, of former British colonies, membership of which came with
some benefits not limited to financials for crucial developmental activities.
It was realized that the attainment of a republican status was not going to
affect Ghana’s membership of the Commonwealth and therefore, assistance was
going to keep flowing in. The fact that Ghana was going to continue to be a
member of the Commonwealth also contributed to the push for a republican
status.
SAMPLE QUESTION(S)
1. Explain five reasons why Ghana opted for republican
status.
ALSO READ:
The features of the 1960 republican constitution of Ghana
The functions and powers of the president under the 1960 Republican constitution of Ghana
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