Former President John Agyekum Kufuor has proposed the creation of a second chamber of Parliament made up of traditional rulers, religious leaders, academics, trade unions and distinguished retired public servants.
Speaking in an interview on the AM Show, Mr Kufuor argued that Parliament of Ghana in its current form may not be sufficient to guarantee quality governance.
He said the proposed chamber would function as a “house of wisdom and experience,” offering independent advice on national issues without partisan political pressure.
“I would rather have a second house composed not so much based on democracy, but of identifiable institutions in the land,” he said.
According to Mr Kufuor, the chamber could have between 50 and 60 members drawn from individuals who have served the country with distinction.
He suggested that former Chief Justices, former Inspectors General of Police, former Chiefs of Defence Staff and other accomplished retired public officials could be considered for membership.
The former president explained that the aim of the chamber would be to strengthen governance by providing experienced and thoughtful perspectives on national matters.
“I would rather have people who have served with distinction and retired to come and share their wisdom openly,” he added.
Mr Kufuor also distinguished the proposed body from the Council of State Ghana, which primarily advises the president in private.
He argued that the second chamber should deliberate publicly so citizens can hear the advice offered to government institutions, even if the executive chooses not to follow it.
Responding to concerns about the cost of establishing another legislative body, Mr Kufuor said quality governance requires investment.
“You want quality, you must try to pay for it,” he said.
Ghana has operated a unicameral system under the Parliament of Ghana since the beginning of the Fourth Republic of Ghana in 1993.
Although discussions about constitutional reforms have surfaced periodically, no formal steps have yet been taken to create a second legislative chamber.
Mr Kufuor served as president from 2001 to 2009 under the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
