The Constitution Review Consultative Committee has put forth a groundbreaking recommendation: scrapping Article 68 (5) of the Constitution to mandate that presidents pay taxes on their salaries and emoluments. This move aims to set a strong example of equality before the law, reinforcing the rule of law for all citizens.
During a stakeholder consultation on potential constitutional revisions, Inusah Fuseini, a former Member of Parliament for Tamale Central, highlighted the committee's suggestions. "They argue that it violates principles of equity when the President receives money from the public purse but does not pay taxes on his earnings. Thus, they recommend amending the Constitution to ensure the President is taxed like any other citizen," Fuseini explained.
In addition to this proposal, the committee has called for capping the size of parliament. They suggest amending Article 93 to ensure that parliament consists of no more than 277 elected members. This would necessitate changes to Article 47, mandating that the Electoral Commission (EC) divide the country into constituencies, but the total number should not exceed 277.
Moreover, the committee advocates for limiting the size of the government. They propose eliminating the positions of Deputy Ministers and Regional Ministers, suggesting that the President appoint no more than 25 Ministers of State to ensure efficient governance.
These recommendations by the Constitution Review Consultative Committee seek to promote fairness, efficiency, and accountability in government, setting a new standard for leadership and governance in Ghana.