The article argues that while there are differences of opinion around the application of the political question doctrine within ghana s judiciary, the doctrine is firmly part of ghanaian constitutional law. Ghana s political history, one key feature of the 1992 constitution of the fourth republic has been a strong emphasis on human rights protection. One chief weakness observed is that the constitution makes the executive president too powerful without t. The gambia ghana guinea guineabissau ivory coast cote d ivoire.
The worlds constitutions to read, search, and compare. The 1960 constitution of ghana abolished the post of governorgeneral. This constitution shall be the supreme law of ghana and any other law found to be. Tins constitution is the constitution of zanzibar and shall have the. Ghana s constitution of 1992 with amendments through 1996.
The salient features of the constitution are so unique and baffling that even a cursive look at it makes one feel proud of possessing such a monumental document skillfully woven to look after the social welfare of a people with bewildering diversity, plurality of. The committee recommended the 1979 constitution with amendments as preferable to 1995 constitution. The constitution of sierra leone, 1991 being an act to make provision for a new constitution of sierra leone, and for connected purposes 1 october, 1991 be it enacted by the president and members of parliament in this present parliament assembled, as follows. Act 527 constitution of the republic of ghana amendment act, 1996. Below is the 1992 constitution of the republic of ghana, arranged by chapters.
As from the appointed day, the british nationality act, 1948, shall have effect a with the substitution in subsection 3 of section one thereof which provides for persons to be british subjects. Now therefore in pursuance of the provisional national defence council establishment proclamation, 1981, this law is hereby made. Since the first republican constitution in 1960, ghana has had three other constitutions. After the founding of a republic in 1960, the state became identified with a single political party the cpp, with nkrumah, as life president of both, taking ever more power for himself. Of the 14 unofficial members, three were europeans appointed by the governor to represent banking, mercantile and shipping interests, and two were europeans elected by the chamber of commerce and chamber of mines. Some pertinent issues in the current dispensation raymond baguio bening abstract the creation of administrative districts and parliamentary constituencies constitute major aspects of the internal organisation of states. Among the reliefs sought were to declare the appointment of mr abban on contravention of articles of the constitution. The earlier constitutions can be located in the historic constitutions volume of constitutions of countries of the world. Abdulsalam abubakar set up the justice niki tobi led constitution debate coordinating committee. The new nigerian constitution has no place for such terms as parliament, cabinet or prime minister, yet the transition from the westminster to a washington model is a logical, predictable one likely to prompt imitation elsewhere. Ghana is a unitary constitutional democracy led by a president who is both head of state and head of the government.
The constitution shall come into force oll the 24th day of ment constitutionor. Granting of reliefs would have removed the chief justice from his office without following due process stated in the constitution. Legislative functions are vested in the national parliament, which consists of a. The constitution approved at the referendum held on 28th april, 1992 and set out in the schedule to this law shall come into force on the 7th day of january, 1993. What are the features of the 1992 constitution of ghana. Features of the 1979 constitution nigerian infopedia. Ghanas constitution of 1992 with amendments through 1996. Promulgation decree of the 1979 constitution of ghana download pdf this decree, which serves as a preamble to the 1979 constitution, details what the functions were of the constituent assembly in 1978, including their power to deliberate upon the constitution for the establishment of a transitional national government for ghana, and to make amendments in said draft. The 1979 constitution mandated that political parties and cabinet positions. Ghana constitution 1960 preliminary note by francis bennion the following is the text of the 1960 ghana constitution, the first constitution of the country after it became an independent republic by virtue of the ghana independence act 1957. The constitution of ghana and the environ ment in chapter six, article 41 k of the 1992 constitution of th e fourth republic of ghana, citizens of ghana are required to.
The evolution of ghana law since independence william burnett haivey introduction on march 6, 1957, the british gold coast achieved independence in circumstances that apparently offered a bright future for sovereign, independent ghana. The standing orders of the parliament under the constitution of the republic of ghana, 1979 shall. The president of the country under the 1979 constitution had executive powers and is the head of state and head of government. The aftermath of asante or sagrenti war of 1874 which led to the landmark introduction of the gold coast constitution of 1874 and the annexation of the asante kingdom to become a british protectorate in 1885, can hardly be overlooked by history enthusiasts and constitutional lawyers. Features of the 1979 republican constitution nigerian infopedia. Search for library items search for lists search for contacts search for a library. Nkrumah saw independent ghana as a spearhead for the liberation of the rest of africa from colonial rule and the establishment of a socialist african unity under his leadership. The ghanaian constitution of 1992 invests the creation of districts. Check out constitute to read, search, and compare the worlds constitutions.
The current president of ghana is nana akufoaddo, who won the 2016 presidential election against the incumbent, john dramani mahama, by a. The adoption of presidential system of government as opposed to the. Download pdf this decree, which serves as a preamble to the 1979 constitution, details what the functions were of the constituent assembly in 1978, including their power to deliberate upon the constitution for the establishment of a transitional national government for ghana, and to make. The president of the country under the 1979 constitution had executive powers and is.
The second nigerian republic was a brief formation of the nigerian state which succeeded the. The constitution of the federal republic of nigeria 1979 pdf. National flag and anthem c h a p t e r ii t h e c o n s t it u t io n a n d t h e l a w s 4. Supremacy of the constitution social science flashcards.
Just like every other country, nigeria has it own law that is a constitution which is the highest law in every country. Key features of the 1960 first republican constitution of ghana. The nigeria constitution is the highest law in nigeria, any law that is not consistent with the constitution is null and void. And whereas the people of ghana approved the said constitution for the administration of ghana to come into force on 7th day of january, 1993. Some of the features of the 1992 constitution of the republic of ghana are who has the right to vote, what rights are protected by the courts, and the procedures that must be followed by the. Some important features of the 1979 republican constitution includes. The 1992 constitution of the republic of ghana that came into effect on january. The process for amending the constitution in nigeria section 92 of the 1999 constitution deals with the process by which any amendment of the constitution can be carried. The adoption of presidential system of government as opposed to the parliamentary system being used before.
The constitution introduced the position of an executive president, who would be the head of state and commanderinchief of the armed forces. Ghana s growing economic prosperity and democratic political system have made it a regional power in west africa. Section 9particulars to be given on request every person who occupies any office or shop to which this act applies shall, if so requested by an inspector, within one month serve on the chief inspector a notice containing the particulars set out in the third schedule. Pdf constitutional hybridity and constitutionalism in ghana.
It then discusses how this doctrine was imported into ghana and applied by the ghanaian judiciary. Since 195i, adroit leaders of a wellorganized political party had operated a responsible. Government further endorses the recommendation that other public service institutions cannot opt out of the sspp. And whereas the people of ghana approved the said constitution for the administration of.
The president would be directly elected in a general election. Functions of national development planning commission 60. The creation of districts and constituencies in ghana. The 1960 constitution of ghana took effect on 1st july 1960. The prime minister became an executive president acting as both head of government and head of state under the new title, president. Features of the 1979 republican constitution nigerian. Promulgation decree of the 1979 constitution of ghana. The guggisberg constitution was promulgated in may 1925, and provided for a 30member legislative council with 16 official members and 14 unofficial members. What are the features of the constitution of ghana answers. Pdf ghanas 1992 constitution is a hybrid arrangement that. The section provides that there are separate requirements that must be met to alter the constitution, depending on the part of the constitution that is to be altered.