Former Minority Leader Haruna Iddrisu is championing a significant reform in Ghana’s political landscape, advocating for the removal of the “winner-takes-all” system. This call to action gained momentum following a stakeholder workshop organized by the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs to explore potential constitutional amendments.
According to Haruna Iddrisu, who represents Tamale South in Parliament, the current system concentrates power in the hands of the winning party, effectively marginalizing other political voices and undermining the foundations of an inclusive democracy.
Haruna Iddrisu suggests adopting a proportional representative government, similar to South Africa’s system, to address these concerns.
This reform would not only promote diversity in representation but also dilute the president’s powers.
To inform this change, he recommends conducting a cross-jurisdictional study to learn from other countries’ experiences.
Interestingly, Kenya has already implemented a related reform, decoupling ministers from Members of Parliament. Observations from this change indicate that ministers who aren’t MPs are less concerned with constituents’ needs, whereas MPs, driven by the desire to retain their seats, are more invested in their constituents’ well-being.
Haruna Iddrisu’s proposal has sparked important discussions about Ghana’s political framework and the need for greater representation and accountability.
By exploring alternative systems and learning from international examples, Ghana can work towards creating a more inclusive and equitable democracy.
This reform would have far-reaching implications for Ghana’s political landscape, promoting diversity, accountability, and representation.
As the country considers these changes, it’s essential to engage in thoughtful dialogue and examine successful models from other nations, like South Africa and Kenya ¹.
