A resolution has been introduced in Parliament by the minority, requesting that the 1992 constitution be reviewed immediately.
The resolution, which is anticipated to be introduced when the House reconvenes at the end of the month, would call for a bipartisan approach, among other things.
Minority leader Haruna Iddrisu, who verified this, said the moment is right for such a discussion because there are equal numbers in parliament.
The last time the Constitution was reviewed was in 2010, under the administration of late President Mills, although the results of that review were never enacted.
Haruna Iddrisu, the Minority Leader, stated in an interview with Joy News that the request for a review is “for the national interest to rule supreme and no one else.”
Constitutional Review
The Constitution Review Commission was established on January 11, 2010, by late President John Evans Atta Mills, in line with Article 278 (1) of the Constitution, which grants the President the right to create a Commission of Enquiry into topics of public interest (CRC). The Constitution Evaluate Commission of Enquiry Instrument 2010 mandated the CRC to review the 1992 Constitution (C.I. 64).
The CRC was entrusted with gathering Ghanaians’ opinions on which parts of the 1992 Constitution needed to be changed. The CRC traveled all throughout Ghana to host consultative forums with Ghanaians from all walks of life as part of its mandate.
It also got a slew of memos outlining what parts of the Constitution needed to be changed, as well as how the CRC should operate.
In addition, it also engaged the services of experts to review the Constitution and make recommendations for reforms.
Presentation of report
The CRC worked for two years, and after analyzing all the submissions, as well as receiving expert opinions from both local and international consultants, it completed and presented its report to the Government on December 20, 2011.
After receipt of the report, as per Article 280 (3) of the Constitution, the Government, on June 15, 2012, gazetted a White Paper stating its position on the recommendations made by the commission.
After issuing the White Paper, the Government set up the Constitution Review Implementation Committee (CRIC) on October 2, 2012, to study further and engage with citizens and then implement the recommendations approved in the White Paper.
Time for an overhaul?
Minority Leader Haruna Iddrisu told JoyNews his side is convinced the Constitution needs adjustment to current realities. They mentioned decoupling the executive from the legislature and setting up an independent emolument committee among others, as key reforms.
