Constitutions in every democratic dispensation help to regulate the relationship between institutions of State, as well as define and establish the broad rights of individual citizens.

In developing other laws and rules for governance, the constitution, as the basic law of the land becomes the reference point. 

As a people, Ghanaians have experimented with 4 major constitutions since attaining Republican Status in 1960. The first, second and Third Republican Constitution were truncated by military coups. Fortunately, the Fourth Republican constitution, in two years time would have made its one score journey.

Since its drafting by the committee chaired by Nana Dr. S.K.B Asante and subsequent deliberations at the Consultative Assembly through to its adoption at the April 1992 Referendum, there is no doubt that some provisions demand a review.

The problem is that, anytime the issue of review comes up, the question asked is who should preside over the process. When the question is not answered well, it creates unnecessary suspicion, because, a section of the populace thinks the review process would favour a particular group of people. This is not surprising because everything in Ghana has been politicized to the extent that, one find, it difficult to differentiate between national interest and partisan interest.

One admits that in constituting such Public Commissions, representations from major interest groups, is not taken for granted. But the reality is that some people will still feel slighted and may want to cast doubt on the final outcome.

This should not be the case at all if as a people we see the members of such Commissions as patriotic citizens who have been tasked with a national duty. We may know their political affiliations, but the focus should be how we assessed the quality of their professional judgment.

The framers of the 1992 constitution in their sound judgment made provisions to advance our democracy, using our background as a people. But with time, some provisions seem to on one leg. So if, certain provisions cannot allow for the effective running of state affairs in modern times, it is just fair to critically evaluate and review them to conform with the realities of the times.

The onerous task on the members of the Commission is to avoid the temptation of being biased, and allowing their political leanings to influence their deliberations.

Their preoccupation should be the Nation first and nothing else. Nana Dr. S.K.B. Asante and his colleagues did their best in putting together, the initial building blocks of the 1992 Constitution and this has gone a long way to keep Ghana united.

The members of the Constitution Review Commission therefore have a duty to do same. Society is dynamic and the Ghanaian society is no exception. We cannot accept arguments like it took older democracies over a century to effect changes to their own Constitutions.

The prevailing environment may have influenced them to wait for such long a time to effect the needed change.  

As a living document, we should agree that as and when the occasion demands, we should not hesitate to take another look at the constitution. We should however thread cautiously, so that we do not undermine the spirit and of letter of the constitution.

Every good thing comes at a cost, so those arguing that the cost involved is too much should take a minute to consider the long term benefits. Whiles we demand to enjoy our rights, we equally need a document to give us the legitimacy to those rights.

It is in that regard that every citizen should be prepared to offer their views and suggestions to the Commission.

The plea is for Ghanaians, especially those with partisan colours to take off their political spectacles and join hands with the review Commission so that their final report will reflect the wishes and aspirations of Ghanaians.

One therefore takes consolation in the acceptance statement of the chairman of the nine-member commission, Professor Albert Fiadjoe; that the politics of the commission shall be the interest of Ghana and Ghanaians.

He added that their task is to come up with Principles and Practices which will advance the course of nation building.

Long live Ghana ’s Democracy and long may our constitution endure and hopefully stand the test of time.

BY: BRIGHT KOFI AGAMAH.