Prof. H. Kwasi Prempeh chairs Constitutional Review C’tte

 In fulfillment of his campaign promise to see through the implementation of the Constitutional review process, Presi­dent John Dramani Mahama has established a Constitution Review Committee to under­take the exercise.

The eight-member committee is to be chaired Prof. Henry Kwasi Prempeh, the Executive Director of the Ghana Centre for Democratic Development.

Other members are Sophia Adinyirah, a former Justice of the Supreme Court, Prof. Kwame Karikari, a former Execu­tive Director of the Media Foundation for West Africa, Mrs Charlotte Osei, a former Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, and Dr Godwin Djokoto, a lecturer at the University of Ghana School of Law.

The rest are Ibrahim Tanko Amidu, a governance expert, Dr Esi Ansah of the Ashesi University and Dr Rainer Akumperigeya, Secretary to the committee.

A statement issued and signed by Felix Kwakye Ofosu, the Acting Spokesperson to the President said the committee has been tasked to identify and address challenges with the process which started in 2010.

“The committee is expected to identify and address the gaps in, and the challenges with the implemen­tation of, pre­vious con­stitutional review works done by the 2010 Constitution Review Commission and the 2023 Constitution Review Consultative Committee.

“[They are to] engage key stakeholders to solicit their views on the proposals for amendment of the 1992 Constitution and make actionable recommendations aimed at enhancing democratic governance in the country,” the statement said.

The composition of the committee, the statement explained, 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.

“The Committee will present its recom­mendations for constitutional amendments within five months for consideration by the Government,” the statement added.

The Constitutional review exercise, initi­ated by late President John Mills started in 2010 under the chairmanship of Professor Albert Fiadzoe.

The process was scaled to the implementation level under the Chairmanship of Prof. Emmanuel Victor Dankwa before it was hit by a legal suit by Professor Ste­phen Kwaku Asare in 2014.

The Supreme Court, howev­er, dismissed the application in October 2015.

In 2023, former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo commissioned the Constitution Review Consultative Commit­tee to review the work of the Prof. Fiadzoe Commission.

 BY JULIUS YAO PETETSI