Posted by Chester Morton / Tuesday, 22 November 2016 / No comments
The functions of the Prime Minister
Status of the Prime Minister
A Prime Minister refers to that
individual who performs the functions of an effective executive in a Cabinet
system of government. The Prime Minister shares the executive position with a ceremonial
head of state. The Prime Minister is the leader of the majority party in
parliament.
FUNCTION OF THE PRIME MINISTER
Maintenance of law and order
As the effective Head of State, the
Prime Minister takes responsible for the maintenance of law and order. The
Prime Minister does this with the help of the police.
Formation of Cabinet
As the leader of the majority leader
in parliament, the Prime Minister’s duty is to form the Cabinet that must
formulate and implement policy programmes for the nation.
As a link
The Prime Minister has a direct
contact with the Head of State or the Monarch as the case may be. He could
brief the Head of State on the happenings in the Cabinet and the Parliament and
if there is anything the Head of State wants to tell the cabinet or parliament,
it is routed through the Prime Minster.
Advises the Head of State
Another function of the Prime
Minister is to advise the Head of State on certain actions to take. For
example, he could advise the Head of State to dissolve or to recall parliament
from recess.
Leader of government business
As the leader of government business,
the Prime Minister supervises the work of the various ministries under him and
other departments and agencies. He or she leads in policy formulation and
implementation.
SAMPLE QUESTIONS
1. a. Who is a Prime Minister? [2
marks]
b. Highlight five functions of the Prime Minister of a state.
