Outgoing Swiss Ambassador to Ghana, Benin and Togo, Simone Giger has endorsed Ghana's ongoing constitutional review process, urging reforms that would reduce the concentration of power in the presidency and strengthen democratic institutions.

Speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show on Thursday, July 9, Ambassador Giger said Ghana's 1992 Constitution had played a crucial role in guiding the country's transition from military rule to constitutional democracy but argued that it should now be updated to reflect the country's democratic progress.

She commended Ghana's democratic credentials, pointing to its peaceful transfers of power as an example for other African countries.

"We saw it also with the last elections. Again, a peaceful transfer of power. I went to observe the elections. It really touched my heart," she said.

Ambassador Giger noted that Switzerland supports Ghana's constitutional review process through its engagement with Parliament, including young parliamentarians and the Women's Caucus.

"We work with Parliament, especially with young parliamentarians and with the Women's Caucus. We support the constitutional reform process," she said.

The ambassador, however, said Ghana's system of governance remains highly centralised, with extensive powers vested in the presidency.

"It was a brilliant constitution for the time of the day. But it was also a transitional constitution. You have so many powers vested in the president. It's very centralized. Everything is in Accra," she stated.

She argued that the next phase of Ghana's democratic development should focus on decentralising authority and strengthening institutional checks and balances.

"I really think the next step should be to decentralize power, deconcentrate power, and have proper checks and balances. All the institutions should have a say," she said.

Referring to Switzerland's political system, Ambassador Giger said distributing power among institutions helps promote accountability and democratic governance.

"I think what the Swiss got right, better than anyone else probably, is that no one really holds power in Switzerland because everybody has a little bit of power. So we all keep each other in check," she explained.

She emphasised that Ghana should not seek to replicate another country's constitutional framework but instead pursue reforms that suit its own national context.

"You cannot copy from any other country. But I think that was a major insight many, many years ago. Deconcentration is key," she said.

Asked whether she supported proposals to decentralise power through the constitutional review process, Ambassador Giger responded: "A hundred per cent. A hundred per cent."

She expressed confidence that meaningful constitutional reforms would have a significant impact on Ghana's democratic development.

"I'm 100 per cent sure that if you get this right now, then Ghana will be a different country," she added.