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President John Dramani Mahama on Thursday, January 30, inaugurated the Constitutional Review Committee, urging them to engage widely with citizens from all walks of life in this process.
The eight-member Constitutional Review Committee, which is under the Chairmanship of Professor Henry Kwasi Prempeh, the Executive Director of the Ghana Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana), is expected to identify and address gaps and the challenges with the implementation of previous constitutional review work done by the 2010 Committee.
The committee will engage key stakeholders to solicit their views on the proposals for Constitution Review Commission and the 2023 Constitution Review Consultative amendment of the 1992 Constitution and make actionable recommendations aimed at enhancing democratic governance in the country. Other members are Dr Rainer Akumperigeya, Secretary; Justice Sophia Adinyirah, Dr Godwin Djokoto, Mrs. Charlotte Osei, Dr Esi Ansah, Prof. Kwame Karikari, and Mr Ibrahim Tanko Amidu.
President Mahama said the inauguration of the Committee was not just another event on the national calendar and that it was a moment of deep reflection on how far Ghanaians had come as a nation and the reaffirmation of their collective commitment to shaping a future that truly reflects the aspirations of the Ghanaian people. The President noted that for over three decades, the 1992 Constitution had been the foundation of Ghana’s democracy; adding that it had guided Ghanaians through periods of growth and challenge, securing their rights and freedoms while ensuring peaceful transitions of power. He reiterated that it had given Ghanaians stability, resilience, and hope.
“Those who frame this document can look back with pride, knowing that their vision has not only endured but has become the backbone of our nation’s progress,” the President said. “And I say kudos to all the ordinary men and women who gathered at that time to produce this document. Yet as with all living things, our Constitution must evolve”. President Mahama said former Chief Justice Ernest Nee Pobee Sowah in a landmark ruling, “Tuffour vs Attorney-General, described the nation’s “Constitution as a living organism”, a sentiment that reminds Ghanaians that the strength of any democracy lies in its ability to adapt.
He said over the years, Ghanaians had seen gaps, ambiguities, and challenges that demand attention; declaring that the world had changed, and so, too must the legal framework that governs Ghanaians. President Mahama said the call for constitutional reform was not an admission of failure, but an acknowledgement of the progress, a recognition that Ghana’s democracy must be dynamic, responsive, and ever attuned to the needs of her people. “This is not the first time we have sought to refine our Constitution,” he stated.
On this day, we honor the foresight of His Excellency President John Evans Atta Mills, who in 2010 established the Constitutional Review Commission, led by Professor Albert Fiadjo.” He said more recently, in 2023, former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akofo-Addo established the Constitutional Review Consultative Committee, chaired by Mrs. Clara Beeri Kasser-Tee, whose findings were submitted last year, in December 2024.
President Mahama said these initiatives reflect a long-standing national desire to refine the nation’s governance structures, and today they must take the next bold step on that journey. “The task before you is critical. You are not just reviewing reports and proposing amendments. You are helping to shape the future of our DNA in Ghana,” the President said.
“Your mandate is to carefully examine past recommendations, identify necessary changes, and create a clear roadmap that will finally lead to meaningful constitutional amendments.” He said this process must not become another chapter in the history of unfulfilled reform efforts; stating that it must be a turning point, a moment when Ghana moves decisively from discussion to action.
“I understand the weight of responsibility that comes with this task, and I assure you that your work will not be in vain. This will not be an exercise in futility,” he said. “We are determined to see this process through and have every confidence in your ability to deliver results that will serve both the present and future generation of Ghanaians.” He said, he takes great pride in the composition of the Committee and that they had not been chosen out of political consideration, but for their integrity, expertise, and commitment to Ghana’s progress.
“This exercise is not about any political party. It is about Ghana. It is about ensuring that our constitution reflects the values, hopes, and dreams of every Ghanaian, regardless of their background or affiliation.” Prof. Henry Kwasi Prempeh, Chairman of the Constitutional Review Committee, on behalf of the Committee thanked the President for the honor done them.
He said the President’s commitment to the Constitutional Reform Agenda was a critical component of his pledge to reset governance in Ghana’s Fourth Republic. “On our part, my members and I also pledge that we will return the trust with equal sincerity and seriousness and will pursue our task with the sole aim of bettering the fortunes of our people, setting us on a course of progress and development, and helping you, Mr. President, to fulfill the pledge that you have made.”
Dr Dominic Akurutinga Ayine, the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, reminded Members of the Constitutional Review Committee that the President invested a lot of hope in their capabilities, experience, and commitment to the service of the nation. He appealed to them within the next six months to produce a result that was satisfactory to the President and to Ghanaians.
Source: GNA
