Ghana Doesn’t Need to Reduce the Powers of the President – Ing. Kwabena Agyepong

Ing. Kwabena Agyei Agyepong has dismissed the long-held notion that Ghana’s executive arm wields excessive authority, arguing instead that the real issue lies with how successive leaders have exercised the powers granted to them under the Constitution.

He emphasized that Ghana’s democratic framework provides adequate checks and balances, but the challenge has been with those who occupy the presidency.

“I don’t think the President is too powerful. I think we have had challenges with those who have occupied the office,” he said during an interation with Kofi Boakye on Opemsuo Radio’s Nkwantannanso.

He cited former President John Agyekum Kufuor as an example of a leader who respected institutional independence, recalling how he refrained from interfering in the work of heads of state institutions.

“Kufuor set many good examples by not touching the leaders in the various state institutions. It is important that we build the institutions.”

“I was surprised Mahama could wipe out the top of the army — a sensitive thing like the army, why? Which sin did they commit?” the NPP’s presidential hopeful questioned.

Agyepong underscored the need to protect the independence and sanctity of key state institutions, particularly the judiciary. He indicated that if elected, he would “put a cap on the judiciary” to safeguard it from executive influence.

“The Executive should not pocket the judiciary.”

According to him, building strong and independent state institutions remains the surest way to deepen democracy, prevent abuse of power, and maintain public trust in governance.

Story by Adwoa S. Danso