Home
GOVERNMENT
Posted by Chester Morton / Saturday 27 October 2018 / No comments
The features of the 1960 Republican constitution of Ghana
THE MAIN FEATURES OF THE 1960 REPUBLICAN CONSTITUTION OF GHANA
Introduction
Three years after Ghana gained independence from the British,
the government drafted proposals for a Republican constitution in order to turn
Ghana into a Republic. The proposals were presented to the National Assembly
which was sitting as a Constituent Assembly. The proposed constitution was
approved by a great majority of the people in a plebiscite in April the following
month. After it was enacted by the Constituent Assembly on 29th
June, 1960, the Republican constitution came into effect on 1st
July, 1960.
THE MAIN FEATURES OF GHANA’S 1960 REPUBLICAN CONSTITUTION
Position of Governor-General
One of the features of the republican constitution was that
it abolished the position of the Governor-General. The independence
constitution provided that the Queen of England should continue as the
ceremonial Head of State of Ghana to be represented by a Governor-General. The
new constitution removed the Queen as the Head of State and therefore the
position of the Governor-General too.
Sweeping powers for the president
Another feature of the constitution was that it gave very
wide powers to the president of the Republic. For example, under Article 55 of
the constitution, the President had the power to pass a law. Also, he had the
powers to override any legislation from any quarters. The only limit to the
powers of the president was the constitution itself.
Single executive
The Republican constitution also made provisions for a single
executive. Under this arrangement, the president was both the Head of State and
the Head of Government. The constitution provided that after the members of the
National Assembly were directly elected by the people in a general election,
the National Assembly now constitutes an electoral college to elect the
president of the republic.
In case of defeat, president may dissolve the National
Assembly
Also, the Republican constitution provided that the president
could resign or call for fresh elections if he was defeated in the National
Assembly. In other words, the president had the power to dissolve the National
Assembly and call for fresh elections if he failed to be elected by the
National Assembly, sitting as an electoral college. In addition, the
constitution provided that all members of the president’s cabinet must be drawn
from the National Assembly and must partake in the proceedings of the Assembly.
Absence of the position of a vice-president
In a unique fashion, the Republican constitution did not make
any provision for the position of a vice-president. This aspect of the
constitution was borrowed from the African Traditional governance system where
the chief did not have a deputy.
Unicameral Legislature
The constitution provided for a unicameral legislature. The
new parliament was to be made up of the president, acting as the Head of State
and 104 Members of Parliament directly elected by the people in a general
election. The 104 Members of Parliament constituted the National Assembly,
presided over by a Speaker.
Regional Houses of Chiefs
The constitution made provision for the creation of Regional
Houses of Chiefs in all the regions in existence at the time. The Houses of
Chiefs were to be presided over by a president who was to be elected for a
two-year term. The main function of the Houses of Chiefs was to advice the
government on matters of customary law.
SAMPLE QUESTION(S)
1. Highlight six features of the 1960 Republican constitution
of Ghana
ALSO READ:
The functions and powers of the president under the 1960 Republican constitution of Ghana
The functions and powers of the National Assembly under the Republican constitution of Ghana
<<Back to Home Page
Go to other topics in Government>>
Go to the list of other subjects>>
Labels:
GOVERNMENT
Related Posts