The Constitution Review Committee (CRC), responsible for evaluating and recommending changes to Ghana’s 1992 Constitution, has received more than 500 submissions—both online and in-person—from various stakeholders to support its work.

Comprising legal and governance experts, the committee aims to pinpoint key sections of the Constitution that require updates to reflect Ghana’s current democratic and socio-economic landscape.

As part of its mandate, the CRC will also review previous recommendations, determine necessary reforms, and develop a clear roadmap for effective constitutional amendments.

Secretary to the CRC, Dr Rainer Akumperigya explained that the stakeholder consultations conducted so far have been productive.

Dr Rainer Akumperigya revealed that the Constitution Review Committee has received written submissions from a diverse range of stakeholders. These include institutions such as the National Commission for Civic Education, former officials of the Electoral Commission, and several NGOs and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) with expertise in natural resources—among them, the Africa Centre for Energy Policy.

From the academic sphere, Professors Kwame Gyan, Kofi Quashiga, and Kwadwo Appiagyei-Atua, all from the University of Ghana, have also submitted proposals to the Committee.

The Institute of Economic Affairs contributed written recommendations through two prominent representatives: former Speaker of Parliament, Professor Mike Aaron Oquaye, and former Chief Justice, Justice Sophia Akuffo. Additionally, numerous engineers and professional institutions have submitted proposals to support the review process.

Dr Akumperigya added that the Committee has held a meeting with former President John Dramani Mahama at the Jubilee House to tap into his extensive governance experience—ranging from his time as an assemblyman to roles as Member of Parliament, Vice President, and President of Ghana.

“The Committee will also meet with the other arms of government; the Legislature and Judiciary, to present their proposals, as well as former Presidents and Vice President to make their submissions to support our work,” he said.

Committee sets strategic framework, merges engagements for broader participation

Dr. Rainer Akumperigya explained that following its inauguration in February, the Constitution Review Committee began by outlining the modalities for executing its mandate. This included developing a comprehensive strategy, setting timelines, and organizing planning and resource allocation for its work.

In the initial week of deliberations, the Committee agreed on two main forms of engagement: stakeholder consultations and validation sessions.

He noted that prior to the Committee’s formation, the President had already announced plans to hold a National Constitutional Validation Conference.

To avoid overlap between the Committee’s activities and the outcomes of the planned conference—which are expected to be highly valuable—the Committee proposed integrating the national conference into its zonal engagement strategy, a suggestion the President approved.

As a result, the country has been divided into eight zones across the 16 regions. Tamale and Bolgatanga form one zone, while the others include Wa, Sunyani, Kumasi, Takoradi, Cape Coast, and Koforidua as individual zones. Accra will function as the central hub for stakeholder engagement activities.

The zonal engagements were open to the public; traditional authorities, heads of educational institutions, students’ unions, women’s groups, and disability groups among others.

Mr Akumperigya said the Committee delineated the Constitution into 10 identifiable thematic subject matter areas, which included the Lands and Natural Resource Governance, Decentralisation, Local Government and Chieftancy, and Public Services and Enterprises.

Other areas to be considered are the independent constitutional bodies or offices such as the Electoral Commission, National Media Commission, Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice, the National Commission for Civic Education, the Auditor General, and Audit Service.

A discussion would also be held on three arms of government, the Executive, Legislature and the Judiciary. The last will be the Finance, the Central Bank, the use of discretionary power, and dual citizenship amendment.

Dr Akumperigya explained that the Constitution provided for the mode of amending the entrenched clauses and the non-entrenched ones.

“For the non-entrenched clauses the provisions can be amended by Parliament based on the numbers and with the NDC’s majority in Parliament that can easily be done,” he said.

For the entrenched ones, part of the mandate of the committee was to provide some timelines, plan, and a roadmap as to how government could implement the recommendations.

He noted that the report would go beyond some of the existing ones such as the Prof Albert K. Fiadjoe Constitution Review Committee Report and take into account current major developments.