Professor Henry Kwasi Prempeh criticizes Ghana’s outdated legal system, emphasizing the need for reforms to effectively combat current corruption. He acknowledges the constitution’s existing provisions but argues for innovation and modernization of legal instruments. His remarks underscore a significant concern regarding the reliance on antiquated laws to address evolving corrupt practices.
Professor Henry Kwasi Prempeh, the Chairman of the Constitutional Review Committee, has criticized Ghana’s legal framework as outdated and inadequate for countering contemporary corruption. In his address at the 5th Constitution Day Public Lecture, given by Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng, he emphasized the urgent necessity for legal reforms to enhance anti-corruption mechanisms. While acknowledging that the current constitution includes some provisions for fighting corruption, Professor Prempeh contended that the legacy of antiquated legal institutions and doctrines hampers efforts to combat the increasingly complex nature of corruption.
He elaborated that, despite the constitutional provisions available, the efficacy of these tools is compromised by their age. “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 stated. However, he asserted that significant legal innovation is necessary, as existing laws from decades past are ill-equipped to address present-day corruption effectively.
Professor Prempeh remarked, “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.” He noted that while developed nations frequently update their legal frameworks to deal with corruption, Ghana relies on laws established as far back as 1962, which he deemed inadequate for current challenges. His commentary underscores the critical need for legislative reforms to modernize Ghana’s legal context and ensure it addresses ongoing governance issues effectively.
In summary, Professor Henry Kwasi Prempeh’s urgent call for legal reforms in Ghana emphasizes the inadequacy of current laws to combat evolving corruption challenges. He advocates for embracing legal innovation to enhance anti-corruption frameworks and ensure that the country’s legal system aligns with contemporary governance needs. This highlights a significant opportunity for policy makers to rethink and revamp Ghana’s legal strategies against corruption.
Original Source: citinewsroom.com
