Outgoing Swiss Ambassador to Ghana, Benin and Togo, Simone Giger, has called for Ghana’s ongoing constitutional review to reduce the concentration of power in the presidency, arguing that stronger checks and balances are needed to deepen the country’s democracy.
According to her, while Ghana’s 1992 Constitution has served the country well by overseeing its transition from military rule to constitutional democracy, the time has come to reform aspects of it to reflect the country’s democratic maturity.
Speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show on Thursday, July 9, Ambassador Giger praised Ghana’s democratic record, describing its peaceful transfers of power as a model for the continent.
“We saw it also with the last elections. Again, a peaceful transfer of power. I went to observe the elections. It really touched my heart,” she said.
She noted that Switzerland supports Ghana’s constitutional review process because it presents an opportunity to strengthen democratic governance.
“We work with Parliament, especially with young parliamentarians and with the Women’s Caucus. We support the constitutional reform process,” she said.
The outgoing envoy, however, argued that Ghana’s governance structure remains overly centralised, with extensive powers vested in the presidency.
“It was a brilliant constitution for the time of the day. But it was also a transitional constitution. You have so many powers vested in the president. It’s very centralized. Everything is in Accra,” she said.
Ambassador Giger said the next phase of Ghana’s democratic development should focus on devolving power and strengthening independent institutions.
“I really think the next step should be to decentralize power, deconcentrate power, and have proper checks and balances. All the institutions should have a say,” she stated.
Drawing on Switzerland’s governance model, she said dispersing power across institutions helps strengthen democracy and accountability.
“I think what the Swiss got right, better than anyone else probably, is that no one really holds power in Switzerland because everybody has a little bit of power. So we all keep each other in check,” she explained.
She was quick to note that Ghana should not simply replicate another country’s constitutional model but rather develop reforms suited to its own circumstances.
“You cannot copy from any other country. But I think that was a major insight many, many years ago. Deconcentration is key,” she said.
When asked whether she supported proposals to decentralise power through the constitutional review process, Ambassador Giger replied: “A hundred per cent. A hundred per cent.”
She expressed confidence that a successful constitutional review would significantly strengthen Ghana’s democracy.
“I’m 100 per cent sure that if you get this right now, then Ghana will be a different country,” she added.
