The Institute for Democratic Governance (IDEG) on Friday presented its memorandum on proposals for constitutional amendments and institutional reforms to the Constitution Review Committee (CRC), at its sitting in Accra.
IDEG’s memorandum focuses on reforms in local governance, political parties, public service and public enterprise.
Dr Emmanuel Akwetey, the Executive Director of IDEG, together with Prof. Kwesi Jonah, Senior Research Fellow of the institute, presented the memorandum to the CRC.
Prof. Kwesi Prempeh, the chairman of the CRC, who received the memorandum, acknowledged IDEG’s untiring work in the areas of research, advocacy, policy development, good governance and healthy democratic practices over the years.
He expressed gratitude to IDEG for its participation and contributions to the work of the CRC and the process for constitution amendments.
The CRC is currently engaging with citizens, institutions and organisations on their views and recommendations for amendments of Ghana’s 1992 Constitution.
President John Dramani Mahama, in fulfilment of his campaign promise to see through the implementation of the constitution review process, established in January, a CRC to undertake the exercise.
The committee has a six-month timeline to submit recommendations to the government.
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. Prempeh.
Members are 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 is 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.
The committee will engage key stakeholders to gather views on proposed amendments and make actionable recommendations to enhance democratic governance in the country.
The Constitution Review Committee’s work 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, by former President John Evans Atta Mills.
It was to identify amendments required for a comprehensive review of the Constitution.
The commission conducted nationwide consultations, receiving views from various stakeholders, including civil society organisations, traditional leaders, and ordinary citizens.
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.
But, former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in 2023 set up a Constitution Review Consultative Committee to continue with the earlier efforts. – GNA
