Page 94 - Afrika Must Unite

C H A P T E R TEN

O U R G H A N A I A N C O N S T I T U T I O N

E v e r y s o v e r e i g n people undoubtedly possesses the sovereign
right to introduce changes in the regulations by which they are
governed, to keep pace with the dynamic changes wrought by
social, political, economic and technological progress. Such
changes should not be arbitrary, nor should they be effected
except through the chosen instrument of the people, Parlia­
ment, or, in matters of vital moment, through the direct ex­
pression of the people’s will by plebiscite, or referendum. No one
would dream of justifying G hanaian subservience for eternity to
regulations passed by a British Parliam ent before we achieved
independence.
In the three years that we worked under the constitution
arranged for us by the retiring imperialist power, we found that
change was necessary. We were not concerned with change for
the sake of change, simply because distasteful clauses had been
imposed upon us against our will, or because the constitution as
a whole had not been of our making. O ur basic consideration
was that certain parts of the constitution were found to be
hampering our free development. We even found that some of
its provisions with which we had fully agreed at the time of
negotiation, and which we might well have introduced ourselves
without imposition from others, were now outdated arid no
longer suited to the realities of Ghana.
The year 1960, after three years of independence, seemed an
appropriate time to introduce the necessary changes in our con­
stitution, suited to the mood of the times, the temper of the
people, the political and cultural patterns of the country, the
urgent need to develop our land and advance the liberation of
the African continent. These factors were reflected in the funda­
m ental articles of the new constitution. The most im portant