Professor Henry Kwasi Prempeh has criticized Ghana’s legal system for being outdated and ineffective in combating contemporary corruption. He advocates for necessary reforms to enhance anti-corruption initiatives and emphasizes that existing legal frameworks are insufficient against the dynamic nature of corruption.
Professor Henry Kwasi Prempeh, chairman of the Constitutional Review Committee, has criticized Ghana’s outdated legal framework as inadequate for effectively combating contemporary corruption. During the 5th Constitution Day Public Lecture, hosted by Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng, he highlighted the urgent need for reforming legal structures to enhance anti-corruption efforts. Professor Prempeh pointed out that while the current constitution contains certain provisions for addressing corruption, the overall legal system remains too antiquated to confront its evolving nature.
He remarked, “There are some tools in the constitution even as we find it today. The constitution is not perfect, but it does have something in there that can be the basis of a credible fight against corruption.” However, he cautioned that relying on outdated laws is not sufficient in the modern context.
“I think our legal institutions, including our legal doctrines, are way too archaic for the time. We must embrace a lot of legal innovation because corruption mutates day by day. In developed countries, the laws are changing from time to time to tackle corruption, and we are relying on 1962 laws to fight. It is not fit for purpose,” he stressed, underscoring the necessity for legal innovation to address the complexities of corruption today.
In conclusion, Professor Prempeh’s remarks highlight the critical need for legal reform in Ghana’s fight against corruption. His call for updating the legal framework emphasizes the importance of adapting to contemporary challenges and ensuring that legal tools remain effective against evolving corrupt practices. The inadequacy of relying on outdated laws underscores the urgency of this issue.
Original Source: www.ghanaweb.com
