Reviewing the 1992 Constitution: We must get it right this time
President John Dramani Mahama's establishment of a Constitutional Review Committee to review the 1992 Constitution is a compelling opportunity: to fortify the pillars of our democracy entrench the rule of law, and cement a brighter future for generations to come.
This development continues efforts that began in 2010 when President John Evans Atta Mills established the Constitution Review Commission (CRC) of Inquiry.
The committee, composed of eight members, including notable figures such as Professor H. Kwasi Prempeh, Justice Sophia Adinyirah and Charlotte Osei, is tasked with identifying gaps and challenges in the implementation of previous constitutional review recommendations.
They will engage key stakeholders to gather views on proposed amendments and make actionable recommendations to enhance democratic governance in the country.
The Daily Graphic commends President Mahama for his commitment to constitutional reforms, which is in line with his campaign promise to address corruption and reduce inefficiencies in the public sector. The establishment of this committee demonstrates his desire to engage experts dedicated to good governance.
However, we note that previous efforts to review the Constitution have been slow in yielding results. The 2010 CRC of Inquiry's recommendations, for instance, were not fully implemented.
The commission's report, submitted in December 2011, contained far-reaching recommendations for constitutional reforms.
In 2012, the government established a Constitutional Review Implementation Committee to oversee the implementation of the CRC of Inquiry's recommendations. However, the committee's work was so slow that many recommendations were not implemented.
This review committee must learn from the past and ensure recommendations are implemented within a reasonable timeframe.
One key challenge facing the Constitutional Review Committee is how to build consensus among various stakeholders.
This was a major hurdle faced by the 2010 CRC, which received over 80,000 submissions from the public.
As the committee begins its work, the Daily Graphic calls on Ghanaians from all walks of life to participate in the committee's work. It must engage in broad consultations by taking into account the views and aspirations of Ghanaians. The committee must also find a way to balance competing interests and arrive at a set of recommendations that reflect the aspirations of the people.
As the former President of the Ghana Bar Association, Sam Okudzeto, stated, "The Constitution belongs to the people, and they must be involved in its review and reform."
The review of the 1992 Constitution is an opportunity for Ghanaians to re-examine the fundamental principles of our democracy.
The renowned constitutional expert and chairperson of the Constitution Review Committee, Professor Prempeh, also believes that the current Constitution has served the country well, but it is not perfect.
The new committee must be bold and innovative in its approach, taking into account the changing needs and aspirations of the Ghanaian people.
In recent years, there have been growing calls for constitutional reforms to address issues such as corruption, accountability, and the separation of powers.
The new committee must take these concerns seriously and make recommendations that will strengthen our democratic institutions and promote good governance.
For the former Chairman of the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), Justice Emile Short, "the Constitution is a living document, and it must be reviewed and updated regularly to reflect the changing needs of society".
The review of the 1992 Constitution is long overdue. We believe that Ghanaians will take advantage of the opportunity to participate in the exercise and help shape the future of our democracy.
We look forward to a thorough and inclusive review process that will lead to meaningful reforms and strengthen our democratic institutions.
We must get it right this time.