Ahead of its first stakeholder engagement, Professor H. Kwesi Prempeh, Chair of the Constitution Review Committee (CRC), stressed that any constitutional changes must solve existing challenges rather than worsen them. In an interview with the Daily Graphic, he explained that the committee’s mission is to enhance governance, social cohesion, and transparency across the country.

According to Prof. Prempeh, the proposed reforms aim to make government more efficient, reduce political tension, and foster national unity. Moreover, these changes are designed to ensure that institutions remain responsive, encourage citizen participation in democracy, build public trust, and promote good governance. To achieve these goals, the CRC has established guiding principles that will serve as benchmarks for evaluating proposals and strengthening institutions.

Furthermore, Prof. Prempeh emphasized that the CRC’s work must address the polarization in public services, particularly following every election. “We want to see if we can solve this problem through the Constitution,” he stated. He pointed out that frequent power shifts between parties often lead to confusion when people are removed and then replaced.

In addition, the committee has begun receiving proposals from targeted stakeholders. Notably, some submissions focus on the management of natural resources, especially minerals currently held in trust by the President on behalf of the people of Ghana. Reflecting on this, Prof. Prempeh asked, “What does it mean to be a trustee of the people of Ghana?” He stressed the need for clarity regarding the President’s responsibilities in this regard. Proposals have also been submitted on reforming the election of Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) to enhance local government accountability. The window for submissions remains open until mid-to-end April, and the committee expects further contributions from civil society groups.