Former President Jerry John Rawlings says based on his personal experiences and observations, he believes two five-year terms should be enough for Presidents serving under a constitutional democracy.
He added that in most four-year terms, the first year is used in getting acclimatized to the office and the last year turns into a political crusade of campaigns, leaving but a year or less depending on the political climate,
However five-year terms allow for a greater chance of achieving political stride and development, Mr. Rawlings said at a meeting with a delegation of Ugandan Members of Parliament on Thursday.
“Much as we belong to different geopolitical circumstances on the continent I suggest that we shouldn’t be going beyond two five-year terms.”
While acknowledging that there are exceptional situations, the former President said: “Whatever the imperfections, whenever we feel we cannot get justice from the executive through impeachment process or justice from the judiciary, at the end of the day we hope and pray and look forward to the electoral power. And if that is also being denied us then we have a highly bottled up situation which isn’t good for stability.”
Flt Lt Rawlings also stated that he did not promote himself to a higher military rank during his tenure as Head of State because of his respect for the rank structure.
“I decided not to promote myself over and above others because it belittles the rank structure and that is a form of corruption. I could not be seen to be fighting corruption and going against the spiritual essence of it.
“If I have to rely on the will of the people then I should not be doing things that would make me override and impose my will on them; deny them their right to be,” the former President said.
In response to questions on why he handed over power peacefully when several African leaders had refused to do so, Flt Lt Rawlings said:
“I was rather helping to empower our people. Being who I am I wanted our people to be fearless and politically defiant because if they are not defiant they cannot fight wrong policies, corruption, thievery and other vices.
“People think I had so much power and could have stayed on. I couldn’t have stayed on even if I had wanted to because I had empowered our people to the extent that if I had attempted it they would have defied me. I had no choice but to do the right thing,” Mr. Rawlings stated.
The Ugandan Parliamentary delegation, which was led by Madam Alum Santa Ogwang expressed their admiration for the peaceful nature of Ghana and its politics particularly the seamless handover of political power from one elected leader to another, which was first executed by former President Rawlings.
The delegation, which comprised members and officers of the appointment committee of the Ugandan Parliament visited Ghana to access the process of vetting and approval of presidential appointees and other public officers in Ghana’s parliament.
The delegation also noted with concern the existence of the kayayee (female porters) in the country and wondered why such a phenomenon still persists in an era of affirmative action.
Members of the Rawlings team, Kobina Andoh Amoakwa, Donald Agumenu and Elikplim Katahena took turns to explain to the visiting delegation that the fact that they had watched a kayayee documentary on Ghana television was indicative of the effort the country was making to combat the phenomenon.
They stated that the kayayee problem was a social problem that required a holistic approach and so far progress had been made in offering vocational and educational opportunities for these girls and young women while creating an environment to prevent the migration of new girls from less privileged rural areas to urban centres.
Ms. Elikplim Katahena told the meeting that a great deal of work had gone into combating negative practices against women and the girl-child including the virtual closure of witches camps such as the one in Gambaga.
On Ghana’s parliamentary vetting regime Ms. Katahena stated that Ghana got it right in making institutions like parliament stronger than individuals. The Executive as an institution is stronger than Presidents, she noted.
“Vetting entrenches the support of the public and ensures a double cycle of accountability,” Ms. Katahena said.
Other members of the Ugandan delegation were Ssewungu Joseeph Gonzaga, Yeri Ofwono Apollo, Adoa Hellen, Rwabushaija Margaret, Birimbonwoha Pius Perry, Geria Beatrice Gladys and Kamayangi Glorious.
