Kufuor calls for second chamber of Parliament to vet appointments to NMC, NCA

Former President John Agyekum Kufuor has proposed the establishment of a second chamber of Parliament to oversee appointments to key independent institutions such as the National Media Commission (NMC) and the National Communications Authority (NCA).

John Kufuor cautioned that the President’s current wide appointing powers risk creating political imbalance.

Speaking at a high-level media forum organised by the Africa Media Bureau at the Alisa Hotel in Accra on Friday, September 26 he said “Currently, everybody is saying the president has too much power, especially when it comes to appointments. That is where the issue of undue political advantage comes in.”

While reiterating his support for Ghana’s executive presidency, Kufuor stressed the need for reforms to strengthen checks and balances.

“I will say on the principles of checks and balances, I might consider that idea that instead of the Council of State, I will suggest a second chamber, which will be composed of institutions, and that is where appointments to independent bodies like the NMC and NCA can be made.

“It shouldn’t be just the president saying so. There should be a body within the law, which is the second chamber, doing the vetting for people who will be recommended. So when they get their positions to be independent, they will work as such,” he explained.