Professor Henry Kwasi Prempeh has criticized Ghana’s outdated legal system as ineffective in addressing corruption. Speaking at the 5th Constitution Day Public Lecture, he called for urgent legal reforms, emphasizing that the current laws do not adequately tackle the evolving nature of corruption. He highlighted the necessity for up-to-date legal innovation to effectively combat this pressing issue.
Professor Henry Kwasi Prempeh, chairman of the Constitutional Review Committee, has criticized Ghana’s outdated legal infrastructure for its ineffectiveness in combating contemporary corruption. Speaking at the 5th Constitution Day Public Lecture, featuring Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng, he stressed the urgent need for legal reforms to enhance anti-corruption efforts, highlighting that existing laws are merely relics that fail to address the evolving nature of corruption today.
During his presentation, Prof. Prempeh acknowledged that while the current constitution incorporates some measures against corruption, its application is hindered by archaic legal doctrines and institutions. He remarked, “There are some tools in the constitution even as we find it today. The constitution is not perfect, but it does have something in there that can be the basis of a credible fight against corruption.”
He underscored the importance of legal innovation, advocating for updates that reflect current realities. He stated, “I think our legal institutions, including our legal doctrines, are way too archaic for the time. We must embrace a lot of legal innovation because corruption mutates day by day. In developed countries, the laws are changing from time to time to tackle corruption, and we are relying on 1962 laws to fight. It is not fit for purpose.”
Prof. Prempeh’s remarks underline the critical necessity for Ghana to modernize its legal framework to effectively tackle corruption in alignment with global standards of governance and accountability. Emphasizing the dynamic nature of corruption, he called for a proactive approach toward legislative reform that is responsive to contemporary challenges faced in the fight against corruption.
In summary, Professor Prempeh’s critique of Ghana’s anti-corruption laws reveals a pressing requirement for legislative reforms to maintain relevancy and efficacy in combating corruption. His insights emphasize the necessity of innovative legal strategies that align with ongoing global developments in governance.
Original Source: www.ghanaweb.com
