The Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Dr. Dominic Akuritinga Ayine, has emphasised the need for bold reforms to consolidate Ghana’s democratic framework.
Speaking at the Jubilee House on Wednesday, January 30, 2025, during the swearing-in of the members of the Constitutional Review Committee, he pointed out that reviewing the 1992 Constitution requires a thorough evaluation of its applications over the past three decades.
“Our collective experience over the last 32 years has taught us that certain aspects of the constitution are not welfare enhancing and those we must refashion to suit our purposes. The question, however, is will we get it right this time? That is a question that none of us in this room can answer with mathematical certainty. The good thing is that we have the benefit of the mistakes we’ve made in the past in our attempts to put the constitution to use to guide us in the current pursuit,” he noted.
The Attorney General cited Article 71 of the constitution as an example, noting that the review process must consider how statutes, judicial decisions, and public policies have given effect to constitutional provisions.
“Article 71 of the constitution, and to take account of how the letter and spirit of the constitution has been put to use in the last three decades, that includes reviewing the statutes, regulations, judicial decisions and public policies that have been designed to give effect to or to enable effect to be given to the provisions of the constitution,” he noted.
Dr. Ayine also stated that the committee members were carefully selected based on their expertise and commitment to national service, emphasising that the president had insisted on a non-partisan composition.
“I will be working closely with you, chairman and members of the committee, in the next six months to produce a result that is satisfactory to the president and to our countrymen and women. Notwithstanding that, I wish to thank all of you, on behalf of the president, and the people of Ghana for accepting to do this labour of love,” he added.
Dr. Ayine reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring that the constitution remains a dynamic and effective instrument for governance, urging the committee to approach its task with diligence and foresight.
The eight-member Constitution Review Committee is under the Chairmanship of Professor Henry Kwasi Prempeh, the Executive Director of the Ghana Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana); while Dr Rainer Akumperigeya is the Secretary.
It is expected to identify and address the gaps in, and the challenges with the implementation of previous constitutional review work done by the 2010 committee and actionable recommendations aimed at enhancing democratic governance in the country.
The composition of the committee underscores the president’s desire to engage persons of proven expertise, dedication to the service of the nation.
JKB/AE
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