Former Chief Justice Sophia Akuffo Opposes Constitutional Mandate Compelling President to Appoint Ministers from Parliament

Former Chief Justice and Distinguished Fellow at the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA), Justice Sophia Akuffo, has kicked against the constitutional provision that compels the President to appoint a specific number of Ministers from Parliament.

Justice Akuffo, in an interview monitored by GhanaTalksRadio, said it is improper to require the President to choose a portion of his ministers from the legislature.

The 1992 Constitution, under Article 78(1), requires the President to appoint the majority of Ministers from among Members of Parliament, a provision intended to foster cooperation between the Executive and the Legislature.

However, Justice Akuffo contends that the requirement blurs the principle of separation of powers, overburdens MPs who must combine legislative duties with executive functions, and limits the President’s ability to appoint competent persons from outside Parliament.
By Deborah Adorsu