Accra: Professor Henry Kwasi Prempeh, Chairman of the 2025 Constitution Review Committee (CRC), has justified the ongoing review of the 1992 Constitution, stating that it would strengthen governance and improve efficiency. He explained that lessons from the practice of the Constitution and key political developments over the years necessitate amendments to reinforce Ghana's democratic framework.
According to Ghana News Agency, Prof Prempeh, speaking at a public lecture on '2025 Review of Ghana's Constitution: Findings and the Way Ahead,' organised by the School of Communication Studies, Wisconsin International University College, Ghana, said governance, cultural, and environmental challenges had exposed gaps in the Constitution, making the review essential to address evolving national needs. He cited examples including the death of former President John Evans Atta-Mills, two presidential election petitions, the use of Article 146 to remove an Electoral Commission Chairperson, her two deputies, and a Chief Justice, as well as the emergence of a hung Parliament where the opposition secured the Speakership.
Prof Prempeh noted that the lecture, the first since the completion and handover of the CRC's full report to the Presidency in January 2026, explored the implications of constitutional reform and the choices facing Ghana's democracy. He highlighted specific problems in national and local governance that could be addressed through amendments, acknowledging that while the 1992 Constitution had brought peace and stability, it was questionable whether it had promoted prosperity and development for all citizens.
He expressed that there was significant citizen interest in the review, with both elites and ordinary Ghanaians calling for reforms to improve governance. Citizens sought more than a change in leadership; they wanted improvements in the quality and outcomes of governance. He said the Committee proposed reforms including restructuring public sector governance, the local government system, and institutions such as the National Development Planning Commission, the National Security Council, and the Office of the Attorney General.
The report recommended reforming appointment processes of key constitutional bodies, advocating merit-based selections to insulate them from political influence. The Committee also proposed the direct election of Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives to enhance accountability and strengthen grassroots democracy. Additionally, it suggested establishing an independent anti-corruption commission with exclusive prosecutorial authority and a standalone regulator for political parties to manage financial aspects and candidate selection processes effectively.