Ghana in “worrying state”, Catholic Bishops Call for Changes in “governance system”

To address some of the challenges, they propose that the Ghanaian government revisits the various recommendations made by the Prof. Fiadjoe Constitutional Review Commission, especially on the need for a National Development Plan. 

They say that during the Commission’s consultation processes, there was not only the clear call for the formulation of a national vision for Ghana but also a universal agreement on the need for a long-term, strategic and relatively binding National Development Plan. 

“We are of the strong conviction that the implementation of these and other recommendations will be in the right direction,” Catholic Bishops in Ghana say.

In the statement signed by GCBC President, Archbishop Philip Naameh of Ghana’s Tamale Archdiocese, the Prelates also promote the embracing of Local Government Systems saying it “is the way to bring governance and its benefits to the people and improve the participation of citizens in the governance process.”

They add that the Local Government System will also enhance democracy, inclusiveness and accountability at the grassroots. 

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The Catholic Bishops also call for the return to the proposal for a Constitutional Amendment to elect the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) in the West Africa nation. 

They say that the current system of nominating the MMDCEs has brought to the fore how deep rooted the culture of bribery and corruption is in the country’s governance system.  

In the eight-page communiqué, GCBC members express concern about the increase of media sensationalism and fake news in the country. 

“The rate at which our media space has been inundated with distorted reports and fake news is cause for grave concern and the relevant authorities must make the effort to change this trend,” Catholic Bishops in Ghana say. 

They also urge members of the fourth estate in Ghana to uphold high journalistic values and ethics in their reportage.

“Information must be verified and the facts professionally ascertained to ensure objectivity in what is published,” they say.

Focusing on matters of education, GCBC members call on the government to hasten the process towards signing the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Education between the government and religious bodies as well as other units on the partnership in education delivery in Ghana. 

“We commend the Government once more for the introduction and implementation of the Free SHS (Senior High School) program. Admittedly, the Free SHS program has remarkably increased enrolment and access to secondary and tertiary education,” they said. 

“Nevertheless, we have to acknowledge that there are some significant challenges that need to be addressed. Some of these include overcrowding in some of our schools, uncertainty about the school calendar, challenges with school feeding (with the buffer stock system of food distribution and from suppliers as well as the Computer School Selection and Placement System (CSSPS),” Catholic Bishops in Ghana say in their communiqué following their November 5-13 annual Plenary Assembly. 

Magdalene Kahiu is a Kenyan journalist with passion in Church communication. She holds a Degree in Social Communications from the Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA). Currently, she works as a journalist for ACI Africa.