We Need Constitutional Reform, Not an Apology – Hon. Ambrose Amoah-Ashyia Defends President Over Traveling “Without Handing Over Power “
A constitutional debate has emerged following a press release by the Minority over the President’s failure to hand over power before traveling outside the country. In a press release, the Minority described the President’s actions as a violation of the 1992 Constitution, citing his failure to swear in the Chief Justice during his absence. However, former DCE for Upper Denkyira West, Hon. Ambrose Amoah-Ashyia, has strongly defended the President, insisting that no constitutional offence was committed. According to him, the issue should not be politicized but rather seen as a loophole in the Constitution that urgently requires reform.
“In the current framework, the Chief Justice is mandated to swear in the Vice President or the Speaker when necessary. But the question is, who swears in the Chief Justice?” he questioned. “This scenario highlights a structural gap in our constitutional design.”
He further proposed that in future instances where the President, Vice President, and Speaker are all unavailable, a formal written communication could serve as a temporary transfer of authority. He emphasized that the drafters of the Constitution may not have anticipated a situation where all three top officeholders would be out of the country simultaneously.
Hon. Amoah-Ashyia also criticized the prevailing interpretation of the law that assumes a President cannot perform his duties once he leaves the country’s borders. “We are in a digital age,” he said, “and I believe leadership responsibilities can still be discharged remotely. The idea that a President is powerless outside the country’s jurisdiction is outdated and must be reviewed.”
He concluded by urging stakeholders to treat this as a call for constitutional review rather than a demand for an apology from the President. “This is not about fault. It’s about fixing the legal framework so the nation isn’t left exposed in moments like these.”
By: Anthonia Kumado
