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Ghanaian?
KNOW YOUR CONSTITUTION
Easy-Reader with Notes and Questions
Golda Addo
Inside cover
(front)
CONTENT
Acknowledgement
29
Preface
30
31
32
CHAPTER 3 Citizenship
34
10
35
13
38
14
CHAPTER 22 Chieftaincy
40
16
18
42
19
43
21
44
23
CHAPTER 26 Miscellaneous
46
CHAPTER 13 Finance
25
47
27
Acknowledgement
Deepest appreciation goes to STAR-Ghana* for supporting efforts such as
the #1SimpleStep Initiative, via which channel this publication has been
realized. Same goes to Ms. Efua Sintim, for working extensively with me on
this project, and to Professors H. Kwasi Prempeh and Gyimah-Boadi for the
legal expertise, human resource support, and the in-depth encouragement.
I stand very grateful.
*The contents of this publication are the sole responsibility of #1SimpleStep, and do not necessarily reflect the
views of STAR-Ghana or any of its donor partners.
Preface
This publication is not meant to replace the Constitution
of Ghana. It is meant to be an easy reader for young
persons, students, and persons of all ages who, for some
reason, have found the original document difficult to
read, in part or in entirety. We advise that all readers
refer as often as possible to the Constitution for all
aspects of this publication that they find unclear, or that
advises them to do so, or for further and better details of
anything that has been written here.
The Constitution
of The Republic of Ghana
IN THE NAME OF THE ALMIGHTY GOD
We the people of Ghana, IN EXERCISE of our
natural and inalienable right to establish a framework
of government, which shall secure for ourselves, and
posterity, the blessings of liberty, equality of opportunity
and prosperity;
CHAPTER
The Constitution
- 7 articles herein -
CHAPTER
Territories of Ghana
- 2 articles herein -
CHAPTER
Citizenship
- 5 articles herein -
By birth
By marriage
By adoption
By the Power of Parliament
CHAPTER
This Constitution
Actions taken in/by Parliament that have now
become law (or a way of doing things)
But all the last four laws bow down to the first one
the Constitution.
CHAPTER
- 22 articles herein -
10
for it
Freedom to gather; and to take part in processions
and demonstrations
Freedom of association (including joining
trade unions and other international and national
associations)
Freedom of information
Freedom of movement around the country, and to
leave or enter (within the laws)
anyone
Rights to special care for expectant and newlydelivered mothers; facilities, systems, and laws to
take care of children; guarantee of equal training and
promotion for women and mothers
Protection (as a child) from dangerous work, forced/
child labour, inhuman treatment, etc.
Rights as a disabled person who to live with,
participation in society and activities, treatment by
others, access to buildings and facilities, protection
against exploitation, discrimination, and abuse
Rights to certain treatments when you are unable to
give your consent
11
12
CHAPTER
- 8 articles herein -
13
CHAPTER
14
15
CHAPTER
The Executive
- 31 articles herein -
16
and there also, there are procedures they must all follow.
The chapter ends with in-depth details about the formation
and role of the Council of State ( who advise the President
on matters of the state), the Cabinet of State (who assist
the President in the determination of general policy of
Government), the Ministers of State, the National Security
Council, the National Development Planning Commission,
and the Attorney-General. Now, since these are all
government positions (officially termed Public Offices),
they are all paid from the States coffers (the Consolidated
Fund and sometimes the Contingency Fund).
17
CHAPTER
18
CHAPTER
10
The Legislature
- 32 articles herein -
19
20
Did you know Parliament has
the right, by law, to regulate
professional, trade, and
business organisations?
CHAPTER
The Judiciary
11
- 37 articles herein In this chapter, you will find many details concerning
your Judicial service and sector. From general issues, to
Supreme Court, High Court, Regional Tribunals, the Judicial
Council issues, even miscellaneous issues, you will get
them all here.
The first clause of this chapter is very impactful. It
says: Justice emanates from the people and shall be
administered in the name of the Republic by the Judiciary
which shall be independent and subject only to this
Constitution. It is very important to read through all the
details of this chapter in the original document. You will
benefit much from it. It also says that citizens have the
right to participate in the administration of justice, which
they can achieve by going through the procedures of
the institutions of public and customary tribunals and its
affiliate entities and services.
Judicial power is headed by the Chief Justice, and neither
the President nor Parliament or any agency or organ of
21
22
CHAPTER
12
23
24
CHAPTER
13
Finance
- 16 articles herein Taxation the first issue raised in this chapter, and rightly
so. The countrys revenues are greatly composed of taxes.
Taxation is often imposed on citizens by Acts of Parliament,
and thereafter, can only be amended by parliamentary
approval. All funds raised by the State, received by the
State, meant for the State are contained in the state coffers,
called the Consolidated Fund. There are a few other state
funds in addition, designated for special purposes only,
such as the Contingency Fund and the Heritage Fund.
[Read up also about the Venture Capital Fund]. What the
funds may be used for, how they may be drawn, and when;
what reports are needed before and after the drawing of
funds (reading of annual budget by Finance Minister, and
report on annual spending by Auditor-General), are all
detailed in this chapter.
The President has the most power in getting funds moved
for disbursement, and Parliament can authorize national
expenditure as well as loan agreements needed by the
Government. Loans especially require Acts of Parliament
before they can be done (by Government).
25
26
CHAPTER
14
27
28
CHAPTER
15
29
CHAPTER
16
- 5 articles herein -
30
CHAPTER
17
31
CHAPTER
32
18
Investigate all
instances of corruption
and misappropriation
of public moneys
by officials and take
appropriate steps
required after findings,
especially with regard
to the Attorney-General
and the Auditor-General
Educate the public
33
CHAPTER
19
34
CHAPTER
20
- 17 articles herein -
35
districts; and a District Assembly is supposed to be the
highest political authority in the district, being mandated
to have deliberative, legislative, and executive powers.
Parliament also has the mandate to prescribe the functions
36
What does this mean?
37
CHAPTER
38
21
...and administered
by who?
39
CHAPTER
22
Chieftaincy
- 8 articles herein National House of Chiefs.
Chief means a person, who, hailing from the appropriate
family and lineage, has been validly nominated, elected, or
selected and enstooled, enskinned, or installed as a chief or
queen mother in accordance with the relevant customary
law and usage.
40
41
What does this
mean?
CHAPTER
Commissions of Inquiry
- 6 articles herein By constitutional instrument, the President shall appoint
a commission of inquiry into any matter of public interest,
where:
He is satisfied that it should be appointed
The Council of State advises that it is for the good of
public interest
Parliament requests it, by resolution, for inquiry into
any matter specified by the resolution as being a matter
of public importance
These commissions may function under sole
commissionership or under two or more commissioners,
in which case, one of them will be selected as chairperson.
Strict criteria apply for selection to these positions, and
details can be found upon further reading.
42
23
CHAPTER
24
- 5 articles herein A public officer is any person who holds a public office.
No public officer shall put him/herself in a position where
conflict of interest is likely to affect his/her performance.
No person shall be appointed as Chair of the governing
body of a public corporation or authority in which he
works; he/she will have to vacate their position first.
Public officers shall submit to the Auditor-General, a
written declaration of all property or assets owned, as
well as liabilities, direct and indirect, before taking office,
at the end of every four years, and at the end of his/her
term of office. Failure to do so, or knowingly making a false
declaration shall be a contravention of this Constitution,
and shall be dealt with according to article 287.
43
CHAPTER
44
25
45
CHAPTER
Miscellaneous
26
- 7 articles herein -
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
Inside cover
(Back)