The Member of Parliament (MP) for Akyem Swedru in the Eastern Region, Kennedy Osei Nyarko, has criticised the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) over what he describes as inadequate public education on Ghana’s governance structure and the distinct responsibilities of the Executive and Legislative arms of government.
According to the MP, many Ghanaians, including some highly educated citizens, do not fully understand the constitutional framework governing the country or the respective roles of the two arms of government.
He argues that the apparent lack of understanding has contributed to the misattribution of responsibilities, with some citizens holding Parliament accountable for decisions and actions that fall within the mandate of the Executive.
Expressing his observations in a social media post on Ghana’s governance architecture, Mr Nyarko said public misconceptions about the distribution of governmental powers had persisted over the years.
“My observations over the years have clearly confirmed my longstanding conviction that over 90% of the Ghanaian people, including many of the educated ones, don’t really understand the Governance Architecture of this country,” he stated.
Mr Nyarko said a significant number of citizens struggle to distinguish between the functions of the Executive, headed by the President, and those of Parliament, which exercises legislative and oversight responsibilities.
He observed that some people attribute decisions and actions undertaken by the Executive to Parliament, while others assume the legislature possesses the authority to direct the activities of government agencies and institutions.
The MP also identified public misconceptions about government procurement, arguing that some citizens mistakenly believe all procurement decisions made by the Executive require prior approval or direct authorisation from Parliament.
“Many citizens continue to attribute roles played by the executives to the legislature in many instances,” he said, adding that some people believe Parliament has greater powers to undertake virtually every function of government.
He further noted that the misunderstanding extends to the relationship between Parliament and public institutions, with some citizens believing that the legislature can command or instruct every agency operating under the Republic.
Mr Nyarko maintained that a clearer understanding of the constitutional responsibilities assigned to each arm of government would help citizens better assess public officials and hold the appropriate institutions accountable.
The Akyem Swedru MP argued that the Executive occupies a central position in Ghana’s governance system, with extensive responsibilities for implementing government policies and administering the affairs of the state.
He estimated that more than 70 per cent of governmental powers rest with the Executive, which is led by the President.
However, the figure represents Mr Nyarko’s assessment of the distribution of governmental powers rather than a formal percentage prescribed by Ghana’s Constitution.
Under Ghana’s constitutional framework, executive authority is vested in the President, while legislative power is vested in Parliament. The Judiciary exercises judicial power.
These constitutional arrangements establish distinct responsibilities for the three arms of government, while providing mechanisms for checks and balances intended to prevent the concentration and abuse of power.
The Executive is responsible for implementing laws, directing government administration and pursuing public policies. Parliament, meanwhile, makes laws, scrutinises government activities and exercises oversight over the use of public resources.
Although the two arms have separate constitutional mandates, their responsibilities intersect in several areas, including the approval of public expenditure, taxation and other matters requiring parliamentary authorisation.
Mr Nyarko attributed the public’s alleged lack of understanding of Ghana’s governance structure partly to what he considers the failure of the NCCE to adequately educate citizens about the respective responsibilities of the Executive and the Legislature.
“I think the NCCE has failed the country by not educating the public to understand the different roles played by the Executives and the Legislative Arms of Government,” he said.
The MP’s criticism places the spotlight on the role of civic education in promoting constitutional awareness, democratic participation and accountability.
The NCCE is mandated to promote and sustain democracy through civic education, including educating the public on the Constitution and the principles underpinning Ghana’s democratic system.
Mr Nyarko’s comments suggest that more public education is needed to help citizens understand the constitutional powers of government institutions and the limits of their respective mandates.
Such education, he argues, would enable the public to better distinguish between policy decisions, administrative actions and legislative responsibilities when evaluating the performance of public officials.
The MP’s observations raise broader questions about how effectively citizens understand the institutions responsible for governing the country and the channels through which public officials can be held accountable.
A clearer understanding of the separation of powers could help citizens identify the appropriate institutions to approach when seeking explanations for government decisions, procurement activities, policy implementation or legislative outcomes.
It could also strengthen public scrutiny by ensuring that criticism of government institutions is directed at the authorities constitutionally responsible for particular decisions.
While Mr Nyarko has called attention to what he considers a significant gap in public understanding, his estimate that more than 90 per cent of Ghanaians lack a proper understanding of the governance structure was not accompanied by survey data in the statement.
His assessment, therefore, remains an observation rather than a statistically established finding.
The NCCE’s civic education mandate and the constitutional responsibilities of the Executive and Parliament remain central to the broader discussion about improving public understanding of Ghana’s democratic institutions.
By 1960news.com
