PARLIAMENT HOUSE: GUARD OF HONOUR: MEMBERS ARRIVING: ANKRAH ARRIVING: INSPECTING GUARD OF HONOUR: ANKRAH ADDRESSING ASSEMBLY.




Initials GEP/VS/MR/SS



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Background: THE GHANAIAN HEAD OF STATE, LIEUTENANT GENERAL JOSEPH ANKRAH ON MONDAY OPENED THE CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY THAT IS TO DRAFT A NEW CONSTITUTION TO REPLACE THAT IMPOSED ON GHANA IN 1960 BY DEPOSED, PRESIDENT KWAME NKRUMAH.

THE GENERAL ARRIVED AT PARLIAMENT HOUSE IN ACCRA ACCOMPANIED BY FOUR OTHER MEMBERS OF THE RULING NATIONAL LIBERATION COUNCIL. HE THEN INSPECTED A GUARD OF HONOUR OF THE FIFTH BATTALION OF THE GHANAIAN ARMY. TRADITIONAL DRUMMERS BEAT OUT A WELCOME ON TALKING DRUMS.

MORE THAN 500 DIGNITARIES FROM THE DIPLOMATIC CORPS, CHURCH AND CHIEFTANCY COUNCILS ATTENDED THE OPENING.

IN HIS OPENING SPEECH GENERAL ANKRAH SAID THE NLC WAS ANXIOUS TO AVOID ANY POSTPONEMENT OF THE DATE FOR INSTALLING A CIVILIAN GOVERNMENT AT THE END OF SEPTEMBER. HE ALSO WARNED AGAINST THE INCLUSION OF UNDULY RESTRICTIVE CLAUSES WHICH MIGHT MAKE THE NEW CONSTITUTION EITHER TOO RIGID OR UNWORKABLE. IT SHOULD BE AN ACCEPTABLE LEGAL DOCUMENT, MERITING THE RESPECT OF ALL SECTIONS OF THE COMMUNITY AND ENSURING FREEDOM AND JUSTICE FOR ALL, HE SAID.

THE ASSEMBLY IS BEING ASKED TO CONSIDER A NEW CONSTITUTION BASED ON A 170-SECTION DRAFT DRAWN UP BY THE 17-MEMBER CONSTITUTIONAL COMMISSION LED BY CHIEF JUSTICE AKUFO-ADDO.

THE ASSEMBLY'S 150 MEMBERS HAVE BEEN ELECTED BY A WIDE CROSS-SECTION OF GHANAIAN PUBLIC BODIES RANGING FROM CHIEFS, MARKET WOMEN, STUDENTS AND TRADE UNIONISTS TO THE LEGAL AND MEDICAL AND TEACHING PROFESSIONS. 14 OF ITS MEMBERS ARE NOMINEES OF NATIONAL LIBERATION COUNCIL.