Constitution review c’ttee formed

The government has set up a Constitutional Review Committee to review the 1992 Constitution. 

The committee, composed of eight members, is chaired by Professor of Law and Executive Director of the Centre for Democratic Development, Ghana (CDD-Ghana), Prof. H. Kwasi Prempeh.

Members include a retired Justice of the Supreme Court and member of the United Nations Appeal Tribunal, Justice Sophia Adinyira; lawyer and former Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, Charlotte Osei, and professor of Journalism and Mass Communication, Prof. Kwame Karikari. 

The rest are a Senior Lecturer at the University of Ghana School of Law, Dr Godwin Djokoto; an expert in governance, organisation and systems development, and development management, Ibrahim Tanko Amadu; an academic and Executive Director of Ashesi University’s Centre for Leadership, Dr Esi Ansah, and a lawyer and Oil and Gas Consultant, Dr Rainer Akumperigeya, who will act as Secretary to the committee. 

The committee's primary objective is to identify gaps and challenges in the implementation of the previous constitutional review work done by the 2010 Constitution Review Commission and the 2023 Constitution Review Consultative Committee. 

Approach 

They will engage key stakeholders to gather views on proposed amendments and make actionable recommendations to enhance democratic governance in the country.

The committee is expected to present its recommendations for constitutional amendments within five months for consideration by the government.

The acting Spokesperson to the President, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, in a communique, said the committee's composition reflected President John Dramani Mahama's commitment to engaging experts dedicated to good governance. 

“The composition of the committee underscores the President's desire to engage persons of proven expertise, dedication to the service of the nation and commitment to good governance, to manage the process,” a statement signed by Mr Ofosu stated. 

The Constitution Review Committee's work is eagerly anticipated, as it is expected to pave the way for meaningful reforms of the country's constitution.

Background

Efforts to review the 1992 Constitution have been ongoing for some years now. One notable attempt was the establishment of the Constitution Review Commission (CRC) of Inquiry in 2010, which was to identify amendments required for a comprehensive review of the Constitution. 

The CRC was set up by former President, John Evans Atta Mills, with a Constitutional Instrument 2010 (C.I.) 64 as a Commission of Inquiry to conduct a consultative review of the Constitution.

The commission conducted nationwide consultations, receiving views from various stakeholders, including civil society organisations, traditional leaders, and ordinary citizens. 

After gathering those views, the commission submitted its report to the President in December 2011. However, the implementation of the commission's recommendations was slow. 

In 2012, the government established a Constitutional Review Implementation Committee to oversee the implementation of the recommendations but progress was limited.

The change of government in 2017 further slowed down the implementation process.

However, former President Akufo-Addo in 2023 set up a Constitution Review Consultative Committee to continue with the earlier efforts. 

 President Mahama establishing a new Constitutional Review Committee is a continuation of those efforts.