April 8, 2018//-A renowned Economist at the University of Cape Coast, Professor John Gatsi, has called the attention of the government to key constitutional provisions in the implementation of its policies and programmes.
To this end, he explained the socioeconomic framework in the country’s 1992 Constitution should guide the implementation of the government’s programmes and policies in the country.
According to him, the current practice of governments paying attention to their manifestos rather than what is in the Constitution is not the best.
Prof Gatsi noted: “In our current democratic practice, political parties market their ideas to the people through a document called “Manifesto “, intended to project what they want to do to contribute to nation building using state resources”.
“No matter the length, promises and articulation in political party manifestos, their implementation must be assessed through the lense of Article 36 of the 1992 Constitution”.
He observed that some politicians place premium on their manifestos and trivialize national development plans. The important point is whether there is a national development plan or not Article 36 provides the pointers to measure the commitment and performance of a government, Prof Gatsi stressed.
According to the Professor, the state generally operates through institutions under the leadership of the president at all times. But their focus is always on their manifestos and not the national development plan.
“Again the call on all presidents and governments is to ensure maximum and not minimum happiness of all Ghanaians”.
Economic duties of the government
He told African Eye Report that the one of economic duties of the State (government) is to maximize the rate of economic development and secure maximum welfare of the people. “Meaning lower level is not the way to go”.
Other economic duties of the government, Prof Gatsi mentioned include: to ensure freedom and maximum happiness of every person in Ghana; provision of suitable employment and public assistance to the needy; and healthy economy and guarding principles of a healthy economy.
Under guarding principles of a health economy, there shall be the following: -guaranteed fair and realistic remuneration for production; and undertake even and balanced development of all regions and every part of all regions in Ghana and in so doing the State must ensure improvement in the conditions of life in rural areas and redressing any imbalance in development between the rural and urban areas.
Agriculture and governmental strategy
Article 36(3) clearly states “the State shall take appropriate measures to promote the development of agriculture and industry “. “The list is not exhaustive”, he stated.
Touching on the fundamental duty of the government, Prof Gatsi said: “The fundamental duty is to secure the democratic order by assuring the basic necessities of life for the people”.
African Eye Report
