Dr. Henry Aku Kwapong, a senior fellow at the Ghana Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana), emphasized the importance of including a Senior House of Parliament in the ongoing constitutional reform to enhance the law-making process and strengthen the country’s democracy.
He proposed that this new chamber should combine the National House of Chiefs and the Council of State, offering technical reviews, strategic advice, and a long-term perspective for sustainable development.
According to the CDD-Ghana fellow based in the USA, the Senior House would consist of distinguished statesmen, experts from various sectors, traditional leaders, and regional representatives, all tasked with providing specialized knowledge to enrich the legislative process.
For example, he explained that while Parliament would continue its traditional role of drafting and passing bills, the Senior House would review these draft bills and offer recommendations to Parliament.
Dr. Kwapong made this proposal during a lecture at the CDD-Ghana Conference Hall on September 4, themed “Beyond the Text: Making Ghana’s Constitution Deliver Democracy.” The event attracted policymakers, governance experts, civil society organizations, and members of the public.
Notable attendees included the Minority Leader and Member of Parliament for Effutu, Alexander Kwamìna Afenyo-Markin, Deputy Spokesperson at the Presidency Shamima Muslim, and Professor Henry Kwasi Prempeh, Executive Director of CDD-Ghana and Chairperson of the Constitution Review Committee.
In advocating for the Senior House, he argued that it is essential to address complex issues like climate change, economic diversification, and healthcare, which require specialized knowledge. “Parliament represents the people but cannot master every technical field,” he noted.
He further explained that the Senior House would create a merit-based upper chamber that complements Parliament with experienced traditional leaders, national experts, and regional voices. “Currently, we have the National House of Chiefs and the Council of State, both of which serve as advisory bodies. By merging them, we can create a single entity where expertise, wisdom, and traditional knowledge converge to support the democratic process,” he stated.
Shamima Muslim, speaking on behalf of the Chief of Staff Julius Debrah, described the lecture’s theme as timely and relevant. Mr. Debrah’s speech highlighted the President’s reset agenda as a call to address the gaps in the constitution beyond mere textual reforms.
Mr. Afenyo-Markin added that the country requires a shift in mindset and attitude to strengthen democratic governance.
