Ghana President John Mahama established a Constitutional Review Committee on Sunday to address gaps in implementing the 1992 constitution and continue the work of a former Constitutional Review Committee in 2010.
The Constitutional Review Committee was created to “enhance democratic governance within the country”, the statement reads.
Professor Kwasi Prempeh, executive director of the Ghana Center for Democratic Development, was named the committee chairperson. The other members of the eight-person committee include Justice Sophia Adinyirah, Professor Kwame Karikari, Charlotte Osei, etc. The members will have the duty to remedy the deficiencies of the work done by the previous committee.
In 2023, the Constitution Review Consultative added measures to the 1992 Ghana Constitution that established that the council of the state’s speaker should advise within 30 days of receiving it.
The committee also established that a bill should be published in a gazette for six months before being introduced to Parliament. After being introduced to parliament, at least 40 percent of eligible voters need to vote, with at least 75 percent voting in favor of the bill.
The committee’s role is to obtain views on the 2023 Constitution Review Consultative amendments and make recommendations.
Mahama stated in a press statement on January 10, “The new National Democratic Congress administration is resolutely committed to strengthening our justice system to ensure judicial independence and to address the systemic inequalities that currently exist”.
Mahama who initially served as president from 2012-2016, promised governance reforms and severe measures to “reset the nation” upon his re-election in December 2024.
The committee has five months to make recommendations on the constitution before sending them to the government for further consideration.
Ghana has faced multiple criticism for its often unconstitutional actions, such as the suppression of protests against illegal mining which resulted in the arrest of around 39 protesters. Mahama was recently urged to protect human rights following his inauguration.
